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[[Credits]]
Hey, you! Yes, you, you amazing person! Thank you for your support. Thank you so much! Stay safe and healthy out there! All images are copyright by Bum Studios Productions LLC. All audio is licensed under Bum Studios Productions LLC and courtesy of AudioBlocks and Envato. Copyright infringement is punishable by law. CG Art done by [[Meira.|https://meirasthing.tumblr.com/]] For access to art you must be of the Sailing Master ($10) or First Mate ($20) tier. <<return>>
© 2020 Bum Studios | 13Leagues ~~Version 1.1.0 //Under Her Heart// is a short story existing in the Superstition series. It contains strong language and sexual content, as well as trigger warnings dealing with smuggling, trafficking, and the selling of people and thus is rated 18+. Reader discretion is advised.~~
<<set $name = "Unknown">> <<set $gender = "Unknown">> <<set $showec = false>> <<set $sex = "na">> <<set $trans = false>> <<set $bf = "not chosen">> <<set $outfit = "not chosen">> <<set $focus to 0>> <<set $wrecker = false>> <<set $kink to 0>> <<set $con to 0>> <<set $danger to 0>> <<set $cr = false>> <<set $letgo = false>> <<set $giveit = false>> <<cacheaudio "theme" "audio/break_me.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "walkinside" "audio/arabic_indian_hiphop.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "gala" "audio/lofi_ball.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "dance" "audio/gypsy_jazz_waltz.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "romance" "audio/sexy_ambient.mp3">>
<<nobr>><<audio "theme" stop>> <<set $cr = false; $bf = "unknown"; $focus = 0; $wrecker = false; $con = 0; $danger = 0; $kink = 0; $outfit = "na">> <</nobr>> //Every major spy character wishes they were you.// //A potential hunt lands you in some interesting waters with some dangerous fish when it calls for you to go undercover to put an end to an illegal smuggling ring and auction. Are you prepared to take down the baddies, impress at the gala, and figure out how to woo the stoic Sydero?// ''Guess what! There are three possible endings to discover within the story, meaning your choices matter. Not only that, but some choices will affect your romance scenes with Sydero.'' [[Play the Game]] [[Credits]]
Before you begin, let's get the important information out of the way first. Please state your name. <<textbox "$name" "" autofocus>><<button "Enter">><<replace "#name">>Nice to meet you, $name.<</replace>><</button>> <span id="name"></span> [[Next->Gender]]
Choose your pronouns. <<link 'Your intended pronouns.'>> <<pronouns>> <</link>> And now your gender? [[Male.|EC][$gender = "male"]] [[Female.|EC][$gender = "female"]] [[Nonbinary.|EC][$gender = "nonbinary"]] [[Transgender Female.|EC][$trans = true; $gender = "female"]] [[Transgender Male.|EC][$trans = true; $gender = "male"]]
This story contains mature content that will be rated M or 18+. Within this paragraph are two options regarding the visibility of the material. If you choose to [[Show Explicit Content|FurtherEC][$showec to true]] then the material will appear if further prompted by the reader. If you wish to not see this content, then please choose [[Hide Explicit Content|Start][$showec to false]].
Great! Here we go, I hope you enjoy. Press the title image below to start the game. <<message 'Click here for further tips'>>\ <ul>\ <li>You’re on a hunt, always remember that. Staying focused will change your ending.</li> <li>There are three possible romance routes with Sydero: vanilla, kinky, and dangerous. Simply flirt like usual and remind Sydero that you’re hers and she’s yours (vanilla) or keep Sydero on her toes as you flirt and tease her (kinky). If you’re feeling extra bold, prove to Sydero that you’re ready for what she can really do to you (dangerous). </li> <li>Be warned that the dangerous path involves sexual violence such as: blood play, spanking, intense biting, choking, etc. All consensual, of course.</li> </ul>\ <</message>>\ [img[images/title.png][Intro]]
Due to the specifics of the explicit scenes, more information is needed to tailor the experience just for you. You can either choose the genitalia your character possesses below or not. If you do not wish to disclose this information then the scenes will be adjusted accordingly. [[My genitalia is a penis.|Start][$sex = "p"]] [[My genitalia is a vagina.|Start][$sex = "v"]] [["No thanks, I don't wish to disclose this information."|Start]]
<<nobr>><<audio "theme" loop volume 0 fadeto 0.45>><</nobr>> I close my eyes and take a deep, concentrated breath in. Here goes nothing. “Sydero, I just need you to know how much I like you. I don’t want to keep this in anymore, I can’t keep it in. We’ve been doing this … whatever this is, for a while, and I just feel like it’s about time that we tell each other how we feel. And this is probably going to ruin things, but you need to know and … ugh,” I sigh, covering my face as I turn to the person who just so happened to not be Sydero, thank goodness for that, and who happened to be the person I trusted most. [[It was Zillah.->UHH1][$bf to "Zillah"]] [[I turn to Amari.->UHH1][$bf to "Amari"]] [[I look towards Chris.->UHH1][$bf to "Chris"]] [[I face Rahim.->UHH1][$bf to "Rahim"]]
<<if $bf is "Zillah">>\ Zillah watches me, brow raised, looking none too impressed. “How was that? Was it better than last time?” I question, and he snorts, causing me to roll my eyes and want to disappear. “I can't lie, you had me at ‘I just need you to know how much I like you,’ it was weak.” “Seriously?” “Yea. Try that shit on someone like Amari or Chris; it’ll work. Maybe would even work on Rahim, but Syd? Absolutely not. As soon as you say that the conversation is over.” “The conversation is over period,” I mumble, and my statement causes Zillah to hum in agreement. Sydero and I have been together since all of this started up, but technically we were only friends. Or perhaps friends with benefits was a more appropriate word, for the things we got up to behind closed doors definitely weren’t something I’d do with a ‘friend.’ <<elseif $bf is "Chris">>\ Chris gazes at me, his chin resting on steepled fingers. “What do you think? Yay? Nay? Just abandon all of this?” “I’m tempted to go with the abandon all hope choice, but we both know that you’ve been doing that for the past year or so, and that needs to stop.” “It hasn’t been a year,” I growl, but the look he gives me causes me to make a mental note to see if there was any truth to his words. “Seriously? The ‘this is probably going to ruin things,’ part just needs to be omitted. Why would you even say that?” “Because it could.” “Let me see if I understand this. So, you telling the woman you like that you have strong feelings for her is going to ruin everything? I can’t be the only one who sees the problem in that.” He wasn’t, but he was making it seem as if Sydero was some typical case. She and I have been together since all of this started up, but technically we were only friends. Or perhaps friends with benefits was a more appropriate word, for the things we got up to behind closed doors definitely weren’t something I’d do with a ‘friend.’ <<elseif $bf is "Amari">>\ Amari sits patiently, gazing at me with wide eyes, the perfect picture of a good listener. “So, how was that? Was it better than the last one?” “Oh, you’re done,” she says, scratching the back of her neck, “would you be mad if I said it was worse?” I tilt my head back and whimper, a better alternative than letting out a short scream. “What made it worse?” “You kind of sounded like you were auditioning for //All My Woes// and not trying to just tell someone you liked that you … well … liked them.” She made it sound so simple, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Sydero and I have been together since all of this started up, but technically we were only friends. Or perhaps friends with benefits was a more appropriate word, for the things we got up to behind closed doors definitely weren’t something I’d do with a ‘friend.’ <<else>>\ Rahim looks relaxed in his chair, his face one of total neutrality. “You gotta give me something, Rahim, your face says you’re done.” “No, no, I was listening. You’re going to scare her off before you can even get to the reason why you’re talking to her. We both know Syd is a master at shutting people out.” “Yea, and I’m hoping to avoid that, but one wrong word, and that’s it.” “Either tell her right off the bat or use weaker words. You know, words that don’t make it sound like you’re about to issue an ultimatum.” I roll my eyes, both of us probably knowing the chances of his advice working in my favor. Sydero and I have been together since all of this started up, but technically we were only friends. Or perhaps friends with benefits was a more appropriate word, for the things we got up to behind closed doors definitely weren’t something I’d do with a ‘friend.’ <</if>>\ <a data-passage="UHH2"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
The two of us had never sat down and talked about what this was. The closest we came to having a real conversation about it was her simply saying that she liked me and, by extension to that, fucking me. I knew how she was; I knew that romance and anything overly emotional didn’t come easy to her. But sometimes I couldn’t help but fear that maybe I was just a dip in the road, an attraction she just happened to pass and want to explore before heading back to her abandoned car and journey. She was put off by most romantic things, so telling her how I felt was never a real option. I understood that and didn’t dare fault her for it, but that didn’t mean I was the exact same. My feelings concerning her were beginning to eat me up, like corrosive material exposed to the most vulnerable metal it could come in contact with. I needed to tell her, but the reason why was what was bugging me. [[Because I needed to know if she felt the same.]] [[I just wanted it off my chest honestly.]] [[I wanted a label. I wanted her. I wanted this.]]
Well, I knew why. It was bugging me mostly because I didn’t know if she felt the same; for all I know, this could be a one-way thing. A few months ago, I might be able to take that and be okay, but now … I was far too deep. If she genuinely cared nothing for me, I would be heartbroken, confused, and who knows what else. Personally, I didn’t want to think about it, and so I put my attention back on my best friend. “Okay, how about this then?” I take a deep breath in and run through my newest idea, “I love you.” <<if $bf is "Zillah">>\ “Whoa, watch your mouth, $name!? How dare you?” I can’t tell if Zillah is joking or not. It makes it even worse when I send him a glare, and he bursts out laughing. “Seriously, Zillah?” “You cussed; I’m just telling you to beware of the power of words. For example, that word you used has the power to stop relationships and not always continue.” <<elseif $bf is "Amari">>\ “I love you too, $name.” “No, Amari, that’s what I’m going to say to Sydero.” “Oh, so you don’t love me?” “No, I do, totally. Wait, Amari, focus.” <<elseif $bf is "Chris">>\ “Boom!” Chris shout, mimicking an explosion, “that’s you after you say that, and she attacks you for it.” “Chris, this is serious.” “So is the task of cleaning up your remains off the walls. I’m not a big fan of gore, so how about you not try and get yourself killed. Sound good?” <<else>>\ Rahim blinks, “I said I’m listening, $name, you don’t have to keep throwing curveballs to test me.” “I was … that was what I was going to say.” “When I said tell her right off the bat, I meant about your feelings, not dropping the L-word on her. I don’t even think she’s ever said it, wow ...” “Rahim,” I groan. “I’m serious. She has never said the l-word; it’s taboo for her. The unspoken word, like guessing Rumpelstiltskin’s name.” <</if>>\ <a data-passage="UHH3"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
If I was going to be honest, I just wanted it off my chest. It wasn’t safe to walk around with these things eating at me. I wasn’t worried about what her response would be, seeing that I knew it didn’t come easy to her. But I also didn’t want to scare her off, hence why I was practicing in front of my best friend. “Okay, how about this then?” I take a deep breath in and run through my newest idea, “I love you.” <<if $bf is "Zillah">>\ “Whoa, watch your mouth, $name!? How dare you?” I can’t tell if Zillah is joking or not. It makes it even worse when I send him a glare, and he bursts out laughing. “Seriously, Zillah?” “You cussed; I’m just telling you to beware of the power of words. For example, that word you used has the power to stop relationships and not always continue.” <<elseif $bf is "Amari">>\ “I love you too, $name.” “No, Amari, that’s what I’m going to say to Sydero.” “Oh, so you don’t love me?” “No, I do, totally. Wait, Amari, focus.” <<elseif $bf is "Chris">>\ “Boom!” Chris shout, mimicking an explosion, “that’s you after you say that, and she attacks you for it.” “Chris, this is serious.” “So is the task of cleaning up your remains off the walls. I’m not a big fan of gore, so how about you not try and get yourself killed. Sound good?” <<else>>\ Rahim blinks, “I said I’m listening, $name, you don’t have to keep throwing curveballs to test me.” “I was … that was what I was going to say.” “When I said tell her right off the bat, I meant about your feelings, not dropping the L-word on her. I don’t even think she’s ever said it, wow ...” “Rahim,” I groan. “I’m serious. She has never said the l-word; it’s taboo for her. The unspoken word, like guessing Rumpelstiltskin’s name.” <</if>>\ <a data-passage="UHH3"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I wanted a label. I wanted her. I wanted this … us. I knew how she felt, but she didn’t know how I felt. Whether or not she cared to learn, I felt like I was doing a disservice to both of us by keeping it in. A healthy relationship was a two-way road, and if there was even the slightest chance of us working, then I needed to be honest about my feelings, regardless if she wanted to hear it or if I was too shy to speak it. The fearful part of me was the most significant thing, though. Words didn’t come easy; in fact, they kind of just tumbled out and never stopped the tumbling, hence why I was practicing in front of my best friend. “Okay, how about this then?” I take a deep breath in and run through my newest idea, “I love you.” <<if $bf is "Zillah">>\ “Whoa, watch your mouth, $name!? How dare you?” I can’t tell if Zillah is joking or not. It makes it even worse when I send him a glare, and he bursts out laughing. “Seriously, Zillah?” “You cussed; I’m just telling you to beware of the power of words. For example, that word you used has the power to stop relationships and not always continue.” <<elseif $bf is "Amari">>\ “I love you too, $name.” “No, Amari, that’s what I’m going to say to Sydero.” “Oh, so you don’t love me?” “No, I do, totally. Wait, Amari, focus.” <<elseif $bf is "Chris">>\ “Boom!” Chris shout, mimicking an explosion, “that’s you after you say that, and she attacks you for it.” “Chris, this is serious.” “So is the task of cleaning up your remains off the walls. I’m not a big fan of gore, so how about you not try and get yourself killed. Sound good?” <<else>>\ Rahim blinks, “I said I’m listening, $name, you don’t have to keep throwing curveballs to test me.” “I was … that was what I was going to say.” “When I said tell her right off the bat, I meant about your feelings, not dropping the L-word on her. I don’t even think she’s ever said it, wow ...” “Rahim,” I groan. “I’m serious. She has never said the l-word; it’s taboo for her. The unspoken word, like guessing Rumpelstiltskin’s name.” <</if>>\ <a data-passage="UHH3"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“This is nuts. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” I growl, ready to pull my hair out. “Why now?” $bf asks, “if everything is good between you two, then why bring something like this up and potentially ruin it?” “Because it needs to be said. If not now, then when? Timing is weird, sure, but I’m tired of just keeping it to myself. The more we’re together, the more I feel it. It’s frustrating, and I … I just don’t like it.” $bf throws <<if $bf is "Zillah" or $bf is "Rahim" or $bf is "Chris">>his<<else>>her<</if>> hands up in mock surrender and nod, “then you might want to keep practicing.” I roll my eyes, there was truth in those words, but for the moment, I wanted a break. “Later. I’m going to go find her, any idea where she might be?” “Last I heard, she was hoping to finish installing that mod engine for her bike, so probably near the garage.” I thank <<if $bf is "Zillah" or $bf is "Rahim" or $bf is "Chris">>him<<else>>her<</if>> before leaving to go see if the words were true. I walk the short path to the garage, sure enough, I find Sydero there. <a data-passage="UHH4"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I go to her side and take a seat on one of the chairs, propping my feet up on the nearby table as I watch her work, her head softly bobbing to the hip hop sounding music that streams from the stereos. I wonder if I was the only one to ever see her like this, focused, and partially unaware of her surroundings. Something told me that I was the only one she ever comes close to dropping her guard for. And that itself was a feat for her and an accomplishment for me. I clear my throat, finally speaking, “how’s it going?” She stands, wiping the back of her hand on her forehead and unintentionally spreading the oil from the engine. I smirk, choosing to say nothing; this was always a good look on her. A rugged, mechanic look that caused my insides to stir and warm. <a data-passage="UHH5"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“God, I wish that was me,” I smirk as I take a seat on the table where her phone sits, pausing to take a look at the song that was playing. She takes a long enough break from her work to throw me a matching smirk. “Ask nicely, Roe.” “Oh, please, Syd, let that be me,” I joke, the two of us chuckling at my tone. I bob my head to the music as I watch her, snickering as she lets out low curses, growling, and talking to herself. The amount of focus she gives her bike is admirable, watching someone who was more passionate than experienced as they work. I clear my throat, “how’s it going, anyway?” She stands, wiping the back of her hand on her forehead and unintentionally spreading the oil from the engine. I smirk, choosing to say nothing; this was always a good look on her. A rugged, mechanic look that caused my insides to stir and warm. <a data-passage="UHH5"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I hum as I take a seat on the table, cocking my head at the angle she was currently in. “Hey, Syd, do you mind tooting your ass up just a bit higher? I can’t fully appreciate the view.” She lets out a chuckle as she does as I ask, giving me the best view of her perfectly curved ass. “Is that better?” she asks, looking over her shoulder at me, and I simply hum in satisfaction. Letting out another chuckle, she gets back to the engine. I bob my head to the music as I watch her work, snickering as she lets out low curses, growling, and talking to herself. I watch as she deftly moves her hands from one part to another, prodding and screwing and cranking with a level of expertise that was commendable. It almost reminds me of her playing the piano, the confidence that radiates off of her as she runs her hands from one key to the next. I clear my throat, “how’s it going, anyway?” She stands, wiping the back of her hand on her forehead and unintentionally spreading the oil from the engine. I smirk, choosing to say nothing; this was always a good look on her. A rugged, mechanic look that caused my insides to stir and warm. <a data-passage="UHH5"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I pause, drinking the sight of her in, letting my eyes pass over her body as she busies herself with installing the engine and doing whatever other repairs and maintenance was needed. She wore a loose black tank top with her favorite black mechanic jacket tied around her waist, a gift that I could claim as I had given it to her when she ripped her old one. Her attention was set solely on her bike, a black and gold Yamaha that was practically her baby. I don’t know if it was normal to get jealous over a motorcycle, but I’d be lying if part of me didn’t feel a tad bit irritated at the amount of attention it got over me. I snort at my own thoughts. [[Go and sit next to her, remaining quiet.][$con +=1]] [[“God, I wish that was me.”][$kink +=1]] [[“Toot your ass up just a bit higher.”][$danger +=1]]
“Everything is good, just this engine is kicking my ass.” “Did you get the right one?” She tosses me a glare, and I mimic zipping my mouth closed. “It’s just the first time I’ve done an engine like this. I’ll get it,” she growls, sounding like she was trying to reassure herself more than me. I watch her and bite my lip as I think about telling her about my thoughts. It probably wasn’t the best time, but when would that be? There would always be a ‘reasonable’ reason I couldn’t tell her, or why I kept this to myself. Perhaps she would never know how much she meant to me. How simply seeing her face made my heart lift, and I involuntarily smiled. How moments, just like this, caused everything to slow down and ground me, allow me to breathe. All because of her. But no, I’m sure she didn’t wish to hear that. <img src="images/divider1.png"> Sydero stiffens as she works, feeling the heat of Roe’s eyes on her back, but more than that, she felt the familiar torrent of emotions that would sometimes take over Roe’s body. A rush that caused both her empathy senses and her succubus side to shiver and purr in need … and confusion. The first time this happened, she didn’t know what to do. An unwelcomed warmth spread over her, and she abandoned Roe’s side, fearful of what was happening. The more it happened, the more she began to understand, or understand to the best of her ability. It was still odd, feeling anything more than the sizzling embrace of lust against her skin. Whereas she was used to that, Roe brought something else. ?His_ embrace was cozier, a fleece blanket on a chilly day. She pauses. This was the first time she was able to put Roe’s presence to a situation. A rainy, cold day that held no sun and forced her to stay indoors where it was warm and pleasant. Sleep was easy to come by, and her bones made lazy by the lack of need to move, all because everything she had was right there. She grumbles, shaking the thought from her head and setting her focus back on the task before her. <a data-passage="UHH6"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<img src="images/divider2.png"> “What was that?” I chuckle, hearing her grumble something and peering over to see if she had pinched her skin or something else. “What?” she questions, her eyes looking distant, and though she was looking at me, it seemed like her focus was elsewhere. When she finally does seem to meet my gaze, her eyes are cold, and she shifts her jaw in annoyance. “Nothing, just the engine.” I stand and walk the short distance over to her, resting my hands on her shoulders. She’s stiff for a few seconds, but as I work my fingers into her skin, she relaxes, almost until she’s leaning back into me. “Maybe take a break? How long have you been at this?” She moans softly, not a reply but perhaps the only answer I would receive. I continue to massage her when her eyes meet mine. [[Let her get back to the bike.][$con +=1]] [[Kiss her.][$kink +=1]] [[Deepen the massage.][$danger +=1]]
I clear my throat and smile as I try my hardest to hide the encroaching blush. I take a step back and then motion to the motorcycle. “I’m guessing you want to get back to it, right?” “Ugh, don’t remind me. The last thing I want to think about is what else I have to do with this engine.” “Oh, so you do need a break?” Before she can answer, Bradley peeks his head outside, “hey, you two, get in here. We got a potential hunt.” He ducks back inside immediately, and I get to my feet, looking over at Sydero, who waves for me to leave her. “I’ll be in soon; I’m almost done here, and if I stop now, I’ll procrastinate later.” With a nod of acceptance, I leave her to her bike and head inside, finding the others in the living room. Bradley’s phone sits on the coffee table in the middle, showing that a call was in progress. Everyone was scattered around, Amari and Zillah on one side of the black sectional couch, Bradley on a pouf, and … [[Chris on a loveseat, Rahim beside him relaxing in his arms.][$cr = true]] [[Chris and Rahim on opposite ends of the loveseat.]]
Her gaze brings me in, and I press my lips up against hers, expecting the kiss to be gentle or, as gentle as a Sydero kiss could be. But instead, its ravenous, hungry, and demanding. My heartbeat speeds as she pulls me in closer, and I desperately turn to angle myself in a new position, pressing my lips closer to hers. I didn’t understand how one minute I was calm and collected, and the next, I had nothing else but her lips and touch on the brain. It was as if I needed this, and only this as if her lips were the only thing that kept my day moving. “You want to continue right here?” I ask, pulling back just enough to be able to get the question out. Before she can answer, Bradley peeks his head outside, “hey, you two, get in here. We got a potential hunt.” He ducks back inside immediately, and I get to my feet, looking over at Sydero, who waves for me to leave her. “I’ll be in soon; I’m almost done here, and if I stop now, I’ll procrastinate later.” With a nod of acceptance, I leave her to her bike and head inside, finding the others in the living room. Bradley’s phone sits on the coffee table in the middle, showing that a call was in progress. Everyone was scattered around, Amari and Zillah on one side of the black sectional couch, Bradley on a pouf, and … [[Chris on a loveseat, Rahim beside him relaxing in his arms.][$cr = true]] [[Chris and Rahim on opposite ends of the loveseat.]]
I smirk as I continue to massage her, keeping eye contact as my hands wander lower and lower. They cease their venture when they make it to her breasts and I begin to knead them softly, watching as her eyes darken considerably. Her gaze brings me in and with my hands still grasping her breasts, I lean in and kiss her, pressing myself closer to her back. The angle was awkward as she could only turn her head so much, but it seemed to matter little to either of us. I feel her right hand grab the back of my neck and she pulls me closer, the kiss turning ravenous and hungry. With a growl I pull away from her, “you want to continue right here?” Before she can answer, Bradley peeks his head outside, “hey, you two, get in here. We got a potential hunt.” He ducks back inside immediately, and I get to my feet, looking over at Sydero, who waves for me to leave her. “I’ll be in soon; I’m almost done here, and if I stop now, I’ll procrastinate later.” With a nod of acceptance, I leave her to her bike and head inside, finding the others in the living room. Bradley’s phone sits on the coffee table in the middle, showing that a call was in progress. Everyone was scattered around, Amari and Zillah on one side of the black sectional couch, Bradley on a pouf, and … [[Chris on a loveseat, Rahim beside him relaxing in his arms.][$cr = true]] [[Chris and Rahim on opposite ends of the loveseat.]]
“Not alright,” Sydero states, causing all of us to turn as she walks in, closing the door behind her. “I overheard enough to already know that offer is bullshit.” I hear Thompson clear his throat, about to say something, but Sydero continues to speak, leaning on the couch area near me and appearing bored as she goes. “You said 3k, isn’t that what you would pay your agents?” I hear him whispering to someone, “yes, it is.” “Well, isn’t that due to most of their expenses already being paid for? Food, housing, travel, tools, etc. But you’re expecting us to pay for this out of pocket. You give us the hunt, and we simply do it.” “What are you asking for?” Thompson asks, irritation evident in his tone now. “7k, and that’s me being nice. Though,” she sneers, toying with a strand of my hair, “I encourage you to piss me off so I can raise it.” “Know that we can always ask another group, you are not our only option,” he warns. “Hmm, I believe there are tons of other groups, but I doubt you even considered them an option. Seeing that you asked us, a hunter and specialist mixed group that’s not even registered means you had to go past your usual selection pool. You brought up Faye, and knowing her, she would only recommend us if what you asked for fit us to a T. You probably looked into us, probably didn’t like what you see, and yet you still called. You need us.” The entire room is silent, all of us waiting to see if they would confirm or deny her words. <a data-passage="UHH8"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“And you came to us for what reason?” I question, cocking my head to the side as I stare at the phone. “To be frank, our agents won’t be able to take on a mission such as this.” I frown at the words spoken, gazing over at Bradley, who lets out a low chuckle. “That’s my bad, everyone Mr. Thompson here also goes by Agent Thompson. He works with the Order of Vendikai.” I hum to myself in understanding. Surprisingly, we’ve only run into one member from the Order, an experience I’d rather not go through again. It wasn’t that the Order was unprofessional, quite the opposite, but they all seemed to have a no-nonsense personality and their rules seemed far too stringent. They also seemed to have a problem with trusting anything we had to say, though I suppose I can’t blame them on that. We were a group of hybrids or creatures that people barely heard of. “Your group comes highly recommended by Faye. She says that you can get the job done and that your group fits the roles we believe are needed at the event. If you agree to take this hunt, we’ll send the young man all the information you need. So, how about it?” “What are you paying?” Zillah questions, in his own hands was his phone. I’m unsurprised to see him fiddling with his camera, attempting to snap a shot of himself. Centuries years old and that was what he became obsessed with. “3k.” I look to the others, and we all nod. “Alri-,” Rahim starts. <a data-passage="UHH7"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“How long has this been going on exactly?” I question. “For far too long. To give a rough estimate, we surmise a year, but it has only been recently that they’ve drawn our attention.” I frown at his choice of words, throwing Bradley a confused look that makes the teenage boy chuckle. “That’s my bad, everyone Mr. Thompson here also goes by Agent Thompson. He works with the Order of Vendikai.” I hum to myself in understanding. Surprisingly, we’ve only run into one member from the Order, an experience I’d rather not go through again. It wasn’t that the Order was unprofessional, quite the opposite, but they all seemed to have a no-nonsense personality and their rules seemed far too stringent. They also seemed to have a problem with trusting anything we had to say, though I suppose I can’t blame them on that. We were a group of hybrids or creatures that people barely heard of. “Your group comes highly recommended by Faye. She says that you can get the job done and that your group fits the roles we believe are needed at the event. If you agree to take this hunt, we’ll send the young man all the information you need. So, how about it?” “What are you paying?” Zillah questions, in his own hands was his phone. I’m unsurprised to see him fiddling with his camera, attempting to snap a shot of himself. Centuries years old and that was what he became obsessed with. “3k.” I look to the others, and we all nod. “Alri-,” Rahim starts. <a data-passage="UHH7"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“So, just put an end to it? Kill everyone inside?” “No, and let me repeat that, no. The last thing we want is for you to kill everyone inside. Subtlety, I said, subtlety,” he sighs, mumbling something incoherently under his breath, “what we have in mind calls for the death of only one person.” I frown at his choice of words; who was this we, and why did a potential client care about the deaths of others? I throw Bradley a look, and he nods in understanding. “That’s my bad, everyone Mr. Thompson here also goes by Agent Thompson. He works with the Order of Vendikai.” I hum to myself in understanding. Surprisingly, we’ve only run into one member from the Order, an experience I’d rather not go through again. It wasn’t that the Order was unprofessional, quite the opposite, but they all seemed to have a no-nonsense personality and their rules seemed far too stringent. They also seemed to have a problem with trusting anything we had to say, though I suppose I can’t blame them on that. We were a group of hybrids or creatures that people barely heard of. “Your group comes highly recommended by Faye. She says that you can get the job done and that your group fits the roles we believe are needed at the event. If you agree to take this hunt, we’ll send the young man all the information you need. So, how about it?” “What are you paying?” Zillah questions, in his own hands was his phone. I’m unsurprised to see him fiddling with his camera, attempting to snap a shot of himself. Centuries years old and that was what he became obsessed with. “3k.” I look to the others, and we all nod. “Alri-,” Rahim starts. <a data-passage="UHH7"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
Thompson is quiet for a moment longer, “7k, you said? Deal.” “Nope,” Sydero snorts, “you pissed me off, let’s raise that to 9k.” I hear Thompson begin to object when Sydero laughs, “do you want to make it ten? What do you say, Roe?” Sydero hums, tossing me a smirk, “should we raise that?” [[“Oh, hell yea.”][$danger +=1]] [[“Ignore her, Thompson.”][$con +=1]] [[“9k sounds fine.”][$kink +=1]]
Chris and Rahim both sitting on the loveseat, Rahim looking comfortable in Chris’s arms, an abandoned book sitting nearby. “Where’s Syd?” Amari questions as I take a seat beside her. “She’s still working on her motorcycle, she said to start without her.” Bradley nods and leans into his phone, “alright, go ahead, Mr …” “Thompson. As I told you earlier, we need a group of diverse supernaturals to infiltrate a charity gala being held at the end of this week. The mission itself requires subtlety. The group in question is filled with supernatural elites that traffic and auction off rarer supernaturals and cryptids.” [[“And you came to us for what reason?”]] [[“How long has this been going on?”]] [[“So, just put an end to it?”]]
Chris and Rahim both sitting on opposite ends of the comfortable loveseat. “Where’s Syd?” Amari questions as I take a seat beside her. “She’s still working on her motorcycle, she said to start without her.” Bradley nods and leans into his phone, “alright, go ahead, Mr …” “Thompson. As I told you earlier, we need a group of diverse supernaturals to infiltrate a charity gala being held at the end of this week. The mission itself requires subtlety. The group in question is filled with supernatural elites that traffic and auction off rarer supernaturals and cryptids.” [[“And you came to us for what reason?”]] [[“How long has this been going on?”]] [[“So, just put an end to it?”]]
“Oh, hell yea. I think 10k sounds perfect.” She chuckles as she throws an arm around my neck and brings me in, kissing me roughly then whispering loud enough for only me to hear, “that's my <<if $gender is "male">>boy<<elseif $gender is "female">>girl<<else>>baby<</if>>.” She angles her head to the side enough to speak clearly. “You heard ?him, 10k or no deal, Thompson.” This time we actually hear whatever Thompson mumbles, though I doubt he cared about keeping it to himself any longer, “I fucking swear. Fine! Fine! You want 10k, deal. But you better do a bang-up job.” “Yea, yea. Consider it done,” she smirks. Thompson hangs up, and a few seconds later, Bradley receives a message. He quietly reads it to himself before glancing up with a broad, knowing sneer. “Guess you’re going shopping for suits and dresses.” A mix of reactions go off. Zillah and Amari cheer, already seeming to know precisely what they want. Chris sighs, and Rahim groans, and Sydero’s eyes go wide, already appearing like she regretted this. <a data-passage="UHH9"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Ignore her, Thompson,” I reassure him, throwing a pointed look at Sydero who rolls her eyes. “9k, then. I’ll send the information to this phone,” Thompson says, sighing and obviously annoyed by what had transpired. Then, without even a goodbye, he hangs up the phone. A few seconds later, Bradley receives a message. He quietly reads it to himself before glancing up with a broad, knowing sneer. “Guess you’re going shopping for suits and dresses.” A mix of reactions go off. Zillah and Amari cheer, already seeming to know precisely what they want. Chris sighs, and Rahim groans, and Sydero’s eyes go wide, already appearing like she regretted this. <a data-passage="UHH9"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“9k sounds fine to me,” I hum, wrapping my arms around Sydero and nuzzling into her. “Fine, 9k. I’ll send the information to this phone,” Thompson says through gritted teeth, and then without even a goodbye, he hangs up the phone. A few seconds later, Bradley receives a message. He quietly reads it to himself before glancing up with a broad, knowing sneer. “Guess you’re going shopping for suits and dresses.” A mix of reactions go off. Zillah and Amari cheer, already seeming to know precisely what they want. Chris sighs, and Rahim groans, and Sydero’s eyes go wide, already appearing like she regretted this. <a data-passage="UHH9"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<img src="images/divider2.png"> I pause and look at myself in the mirror, wondering if I was missing something. “Do I look fine to you? I feel like I'm forgetting something, but I don't know,” I ask $bf, who was getting ready in turn. Since Thompson’s call, everything had been hectic. All of us running around and ironing out the details for the hunt. Bradley was busy researching and getting familiar with the security system while the rest of us was doing what we always do, preparing. Shopping and cleaning our guns and weapons, talking the plan through, and coming up with backups. Or, in Sydero’s case, ignoring each and every plan and just talking about winging it. <<if $bf is "Rahim">>\ “With how expensive your outfit was, you better not be,” he grumbles, mostly because he had ended up paying for everyone but Sydero, who refused to let him do so. I was aware that he was probably more aggravated at having to go with everyone to the stores than having to actually pay, but at least this all meant he was getting the largest portion of hunt money. <<elseif $bf is "Chris">>\ “Naw, you look great to me. Are you going to wear any accessories? That’s the only thing I can think of.” <<elseif $bf is "Amari">>\ Amari comes over and fusses with my hair and outfit for a few more seconds before nodding her head and going back to her makeup. <<else>>\ Zillah pauses and glances over at me, the eyeliner pencil in his hand hovering inches away from his eye. “Did you already spray yourself? Maybe get some highlighter and accentuate those cheekbones?” <</if>>\ I glance away from <<if $bf is "Zillah" or $bf is "Rahim" or $bf is "Chris">>him<<else>>her<</if>> and back to my reflection. [[I was wearing a silver lace-up sequin dress.][$outfit = "dress"]] [[I was wearing a black and gold suit.][$outfit = "suit"]] [[I was wearing a navy-blue jumpsuit.][$outfit = "jumpsuit"]]
It was a classic silver back lace-up sequin dress with semi-thick straps and a slit in the front. Hopefully, this hunt would be simple as the dress wasn’t the best thing to wear to run, fight, or anything really in. But it was expensive and beautiful, and I’m sure that’s all that mattered to those attending. With a frown, I make up my mind that I would be fine. The worst case scenario is that I blend in more than stand out. It wasn’t the worst thing, and typically that was what I wanted at these things, but we were meant to look more important than we actually were. Though, depending on how Sydero looked, I could probably wear a bag and still be in the spotlight. Though I had seen the dress that she had picked out, which was a feat in itself, I hadn’t seen her final appearance yet. Amari had helped her with makeup, shoes, and any final touches, and unless she was still here, I wouldn’t be able to get a peek until the gala. I learned that my powers of ‘hiding my emotions’ left a lot to be desired. Though I suppose that trying to hide one’s feelings from an empath was bound to fail regardless. She hadn’t verbally said anything, but I could tell by the confused looks that she would send me that she was curious. If anything, her not asking was bolstering my belief that telling her was a bad idea. <a data-passage="UHH10"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
The silk suit itself had faded gold phoenixes and blossoms printed along it. The pants, though black, had a single gold stripe going down the right pants leg. With a frown, I make up my mind that I would be fine. The worst case scenario is that I blend in more than stand out. It wasn’t the worst thing, and typically that was what I wanted at these things, but we were meant to look more important than we actually were. Though, depending on how Sydero looked, I could probably wear a bag and still be in the spotlight. Though I had seen the dress that she had picked out, which was a feat in itself, I hadn’t seen her final appearance yet. Amari had helped her with makeup, shoes, and any final touches, and unless she was still here, I wouldn’t be able to get a peek until the gala. I learned that my powers of ‘hiding my emotions’ left a lot to be desired. Though I suppose that trying to hide one’s feelings from an empath was bound to fail regardless. She hadn’t verbally said anything, but I could tell by the confused looks that she would send me that she was curious. If anything, her not asking was bolstering my belief that telling her was a bad idea. <a data-passage="UHH10"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
The navy-blue jumpsuit came with slightly transparent sleeves that led to a cape of similar material. Other than that, the jumpsuit was average, though that aspect didn’t seem to take away from the price, unfortunately. With a frown, I make up my mind that I would be fine. The worst case scenario is that I blend in more than stand out. It wasn’t the worst thing, and typically that was what I wanted at these things, but we were meant to look more important than we actually were. Though, depending on how Sydero looked, I could probably wear a bag and still be in the spotlight. I had seen the dress that she had picked out, but hadn’t seen her in it or her final appearance yet. Amari had helped her with makeup, shoes, and any final touches, and unless she was still here, I wouldn’t be able to get a peek until the gala. I learned that my powers of ‘hiding my emotions’ left a lot to be desired. Though I suppose that trying to hide one’s feelings from an empath was bound to fail regardless. She hadn’t verbally said anything, but I could tell by the confused looks that she would send me that she was curious. If anything, her not asking was bolstering my belief that telling her was a bad idea. <a data-passage="UHH10"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<if $bf is "Rahim" or $bf is "Chris">>\ “Ugh,” I finally mutter, “well, I’m ready. What car are we even arriving in?” I ask him. We had all agreed after learning more about the hunt that it was smarter to arrive at different times. We also needed to get Bradley and his tech close to the building. From there, we agreed that Zillah and Amari would ride in with Bradley. Interesting enough, the teen was the only one we all trusted to drive between the three of them. Chris, Rahim, and I would arrive together and Sydero on her own. I obviously wished to come in with her, but she wanted to take her motorcycle, and I didn’t wish to try and insert myself. <<if $bf is "Rahim">>\ “Either a BMW or Rolls-Royce, I can’t really remember which I rented,” he tells me, grabbing his wallet and sighing heavily. “I’m ready. Let’s go find Chris and get this hunt over with.” We both walk towards the door when he puts out his hand, stopping me. “What?” “Don’t what me. Are you going to tell her?” I roll my eyes, “I’m pretty sure tonight is the worst time to do so. Didn’t you say it was a bad idea?” “I said hitting her with, ‘I love you’ is a bad idea, not telling her how you feel.” “I’ll think about it.” He frowns but doesn’t push the subject further. We meet up with Chris in the living room before walking outside and approaching the car. <<else>>\ “Hell, if I know, some fancy car that Rahim rented,” he tells me, grabbing his wallet and then looking into the mirror one last time. “Oh shit, before we go, we need a pic.” I rejoin him, and the two of us pose. Chris promptly takes the picture before leaving the room and heading into the living room where we find Rahim waiting for us. “Great,” he says upon seeing us, “the others already left, let’s go.” The three of us walk outside and towards the parked car. <</if>>\ <<elseif $bf is "Amari">>\ “Ugh,” I finally mutter, “well, I’m ready.” “Yea, I should probably get out there before Zillah comes in here and screams at me.” I raise a brow and give her a look, “I’m pretty sure it’s going to be the other way around. Knowing Zillah, he isn’t even remotely ready.” We had all agreed after learning more about the hunt that it was smarter to arrive at different times. We also needed to get Bradley and his tech close to the building. From there, we agreed that Zillah and Amari would ride in with Bradley. Interesting enough, the teen was the only one we all trusted to drive between the three of them. Chris, Rahim, and I would arrive together and Sydero on her own. I obviously wished to have been with her, but she wanted to take her motorcycle, and I didn’t wish to try and insert myself. Amari doesn’t look the least bit phased by my words. She touches up her makeup one last time and turns to me. “Are you going to end up telling Syd today?” “You should go and find Zillah.” “Come on, $name,” she whines, “this is the love story that I crave.” <<if $cr>>\ “You have Chris and Rahim.” “No, I don’t. They’re cute, don’t get me wrong, but they’re not interesting. You and Sydero on the other hand ...” <</if>>\ “Ah, I’m here for entertainment then,” I laugh, poking her cheek and causing her to laugh, a light blush blossoming. “I’m sorry. You’re right. We should be focused on the hunt anyway.” She grabs her clutch and says her goodbyes to me, leaving to meet up with Bradley and Zillah while I go to Chris and Rahim and our waiting car. <<else>>\ “Ugh,” I finally mutter, “well, I’m ready.” “How do you get done that fast?” Zillah growls, and I take a minute to watch him do his right eye, his hand sweeping across his upper eyelid and producing a thick and immaculate line. “Zillah, we’ve been getting ready for at least three hours,” I remind him, and he throws me a look that definitely says that wasn’t enough time. “I wonder if your partner is done.” By that, I meant Amari. We had all agreed after learning more about the hunt that it was smarter to arrive at different times. We also needed to get Bradley and his tech close to the building. From there, we agreed that Zillah and Amari would ride in with Bradley. Interesting enough, the teen was the only one we all trusted to drive between the three of them. Chris, Rahim, and I would arrive together and Sydero on her own. I obviously wished to have been with her, but she wanted to take her motorcycle, and I didn’t wish to try and insert myself. “Let’s be honest, Amari likes playing dress-up, so I doubt it. Bring your ass, I need to take a picture of this,” he sneers, “the only good thing about this time period.” “You’re forgetting mirrors and social media,” I remind as I join him. After taking the photo of both of us, he takes a few more minutes to snap solo shots of himself in different poses before we finally leave the room and then the house entirely. He goes to the waiting car filled with Bradley and Amari, and I go to the vehicle with Rahim and Chris. <</if>>\ I pause before getting in, glancing over to where Sydero’s bike usually sat, finding it gone. I suppose I’ll see her at the gala. <a data-passage="UHH11"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<img src="images/divider2.png"> My heart thumps loudly in my chest as I get out the Rolls-Royce Wraith. Chris and Rahim are right behind me, and all of us take a moment to look over the grand building before us. It was a classic white with dark grey embellishments and baroque ornamentations. Two long and wide staircases lead up to the entrance, currently occupied by people in flowing dresses and expensive suits. “You sense that?” Rahim asks gruffly, narrowing his eyes on the passersby. “More than half of them being supernaturals?” I question, “how do humans even survive this?” “Don’t say that when I’m right here,” Chris growls, straightening his modern black morning suit jacket. He shoves his hands into pinstripe trousers and tosses his head back with a sigh. “Where are the others anyway? We were all supposed to get here at the same time, right?” “We were,” Rahim answers, <<if $cr>>moving to adjust Chris’s lapels and his gold satin scarf. Chris attempted to swallow his blush as he allowed Rahim to fuss, “but the only one without their partner is $name.” He turns to look at me, “do you need help with finding my sister?” “No, no,” I say, waving them away, “you go ahead in. We’ll rendezvous with you once inside.” They both give me a curt nod and turn to walk in, hands intertwined, and Chris whispering something into Rahim’s ear that causes him to chuckle, a genuine smile showing itself. I narrow my gaze, wondering if Sydero and I looked as happy as those two when we were together. With a shake of my head and a groan to accompany it, I set out to look for Syd.<<else>>looking himself over. Unlike Chris, who was dressed in mostly black with an elegant flower design on his suit shirt, Rahim wore an electric blue tailcoat jacket with matching trousers. The two looked odd beside one another, their unmatched demeanors not helping. “But the only one without their partner is $name.” He turns to look at me, “do you need help with finding my sister?” “No, no,” I say, waving them away, “you both go ahead in. We’ll rendezvous with you once inside.” They both give me a curt nod and turn to walk in, women and men alike pausing to glance at them. I finally tear my gaze from them, biting the inside of my cheek as I try to figure out where Syd might be.<</if>> [[Check the valet area.]] [[Check the back of the building.]] [[Check with Bradley.]]
I tell myself to check the valet area since there was no way Syd would allow someone else to drive her bike. Honestly, I had a hard time picturing anyone else being capable. With all the upgrades she’s done, it probably wasn’t street legal and definitely didn’t handle like a regular, off the lot motorcycle. My trek has only just begun when I realize that valet parking was probably not in the immediate area. For all I know, it was at another location entirely. Or, just behind the building. That walk seemed long and arduous, one that I honestly did not wish to complete. But, with a whimpering sigh, I begin it. Thankfully, it doesn’t take me long to find where Syd had gone. After turning the corner, I see her, bathed in moonlight and the incandescent warmth of the lamp lights. She was laid out on her bike as if posing for a photoshoot, only she was far more relaxed. Her long, muscular leg was propped up on the side of the bike, and her dress falling and exposing every inch of her delicate golden skin, only to cut off before getting to the more intriguing part. Her back fitting the curve of the bike and her eyes currently lost amongst the stars. <a data-passage="UHH12"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
This was going to be a walk. From the front, I really couldn’t see how long the building was. For all I know, it goes on forever, or perhaps it was severely short in length. Either way, I wouldn’t find out by just standing in the front and guessing. I head towards the rear of the building, wondering why I thought I would find Sydero in the back. Maybe she was doing some reconnaissance. It wasn’t odd for her to go off on her own to get a better idea of what we were working on. That, and she hated not knowing all the possible exits. Thankfully, it doesn’t take me long to find where Syd had gone. After turning the corner, I see her, bathed in moonlight and the incandescent warmth of the lamp lights. She was laid out on her bike as if posing for a photoshoot, only she was far more relaxed. Her long, muscular leg was propped up on the side of the bike, and her dress falling and exposing every inch of her delicate golden skin, only to cut off before getting to the more intriguing part. Her back fitting the curve of the bike and her eyes currently lost amongst the stars. <a data-passage="UHH12"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
It occurs to me that Sydero might not even be here. She was the only one who came in by herself due to her wishing to ride her bike, so would it be so outrageous to think that she was the last to make it. As discretely as I can, I press my earpiece and then raise my phone so that I wasn’t just standing there looking like I wasn’t talking to anyone. “Bradley, you copy?” I question, plastering a broad smile on my face as a vampire couple walks by, they nod to me and I to them. “I do, thanks for checking in. I still have to get Chris and Rahim to.” “They headed in already. When I see them again, I’ll tell them. Have you heard from Sydero?” “Yea, she’s there. She wanted to look around and then made a big fuss about not handing her keys over to some pubescent kid, so I think she parked away from the exit.” “Thanks, Bradley.” With that information given, I walk to the building’s side and begin looking for Sydero, searching areas that probably didn’t see much foot traffic. Thankfully, it doesn’t take me long to find where Syd had gone. After turning the corner, I see her, bathed in moonlight and the incandescent warmth of the lamp lights. She was laid out on her bike as if posing for a photoshoot, only she was far more relaxed. Her long, muscular leg was propped up on the side of the bike, and her dress falling and exposing every inch of her delicate golden skin, only to cut off before getting to the more intriguing part. Her back fitting the curve of the bike and her eyes currently lost amongst the stars. <a data-passage="UHH12"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Syd?” I start, the words coming out breathlessly. She smirks, adjusting herself and moving her hair to get a better look at me. “About time you get here, Roe, was beginning to think you ditched me.” “Scared you’d be dateless?” I question, approaching her. I allow my eyes to once again travel the length of her body, butterflies emerging from their cocoons, and taking flight as I do so. She snorts, “more like scared there’d be no entertainment.” <<if $bf is "Amari">>\ “What’s up with me being the entertainment for both you and Amari? Is that all I am to you?” I question, not wishing to inform her of what Amari and I had discussed. Telling her that would possibly lead to me explaining what we were talking about, and that was a big no. This night didn’t need to get any more complicated. I lean in so that I was now hovering over her, allowing her to loop her arm around my neck and lower me down to her lips. <<else>>\ “Is that all I am to you?” I tease, leaning in so that I was now hovering over her. She doesn’t answer me. Instead, she loops her arm around my neck and brings me down to her lips. <</if>>\ The last time we had kissed on her bike was still fresh in my mind, but this was nothing like that. Whereas that was wild and a tad bit crazed, like two lovers who hadn’t been able to breathe the other in for years, this was calm yet exciting. Patient and endearing. The words left unspoken after a confession, the sheer contentedness of being wrapped in the arms of the person you adored the most. Her lips were soft, almost as if she didn’t wish to ruin her lipstick, which was a possibility. I could easily picture the few choice words Amari would have for her if that was to happen. But there was something else, something about this kiss that I couldn’t place. <a data-passage="UHH13"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<img src="images/divider1.png"> “That, and so much more,” she says, or at least that was what she wished to say. Perhaps the uttered words of a much braver version of herself. She ached to say those words, to look into Roe’s eyes and see just how shocked ?he was that she had even chosen to speak them. The thought filled her heart with both yearning and fear, but like always, that fear won out. She didn’t, and couldn’t, picture a time where it didn’t win out. Where fear wouldn’t claim victory and leave a mountain of words left unsaid. It wasn’t just fear, though. There was something about those words, those whispers of romance and passion that caused her skin to crawl. It moved her in a way that she felt was wrong. How was it that she craved to say such a thing? But at the same time, the mere thought of it caused her to gag in disgust? The thoughts caused her stomach to churn, reminding her that she wasn’t worthy. She pressed herself closer to Roe, blocking out the voice and letting that rainy-day aura of Roe encapsulate her. Her eyes drifting close as she breathed in ?his_ familiar scent mixed with whatever fancy fragrance ?he had chosen. Maybe one day that voice would cease to exist … but then, maybe Roe would too … <img src="images/divider2.png"> I pull back to say something right as Sydero moves from her bike, clearing her throat and appearing irritated as she nudges the kickstand, making sure her bike was stable. “We should get in there,” she says, teasing her hair and then straightening her dress. She prepares to say more when she pauses, blinking a few times as if just now seeing me there. <<if $outfit is "dress">>\ “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so dressed up,” Sydero points out, pouting in thought. “Never had an occasion,” I point out, “how do I look? Deserving to be on your arm?” She frowns, opens her mouth to say something but then stops, shaking her head and sighing. When she speaks, there’s a touch of sadness in her words, “you look amazing, Roe. Try not to capture too much attention. I would hate to burn this place down. You ready?” I can’t help but smirk, her previous actions already beginning to fade as I nod, “of course.” <<elseif $outfit is "suit">>\ “Huh, if I knew you’d look this good in a suit, then I would’ve asked you to wear one a long time ago.” “Seriously?” I question and look myself over, trying to hide my smile and failing, “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to pull it off.” “You’re not just pulling it off,” she chuckles, draping her arm around my neck and raising her leg to my hip so that I’d catch it. She leans in so that her breath ghosted across my neck, “I’m having a hard time figuring out if I’d rather you in it or out.” I can’t help but smirk, her previous actions already beginning to fade, “down, girl.” She laughs as she loops her arm in mine, and we make our way back to the entrance. <<else>>\ “The jumpsuit looks nice. Though I think it’s unfair that Amari let you get away with that but stuck me in this.” “You’ll hear no complaints from me,” I laugh, “Amari also didn’t come with me when I picked this out. Is it nice, though? I feel like it might not be as flashy as everyone else.” “That’s a good thing,” she tells me, brushing her lips across my cheek, “you ready?” I send her a genuine smile, her previous actions already beginning to fade as I nod, “of course.” <</if>>\ <a data-passage="UHH14"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<nobr>> <<audio "theme" fadeout>> <<audio "walkinside" loop volume 0 fadeto 0.40>> <</nobr>> With our arms linked, we round the corner and walk up the stairs, our heads held high as we pass by many others. I can see some of their noses twitch, eyes widening as they look on, some of their glamour slipping before they promptly right it back into place. Others simply stare on, narrowing their eyes, and whispering to their partner if they knew of us. I notice Sydero smirk and wonder if any of them were giving off lustful vibes; if so, then she was eating it up. I suppose we were indeed a power couple. For those of the supernatural community, they either smelled two unknowns but highly powerful beings. Or they gathered one unknown and a cambion, a dangerous combination. For those not of the community, they simply saw a dazzling couple. A part of me wished to know more, though. Sydero radiated the type of energy that one mostly saw in movies or read in books, the woman who cared little for consequences and rebelled against all, even herself sometimes. A dangerous aura that, instead of repelling, enticed one to venture closer. I just didn't know what I looked like beside her, if I compared or contrasted, and if that was a good thing or not. We walk through the threshold and into the gala, finding ourselves standing on a balcony that overlooked the central area. The inside was far more outstanding than the exterior. The warm glow of the overhanging lights gave the space just the right amount of warmth to make one feel comfortable amongst so much gaudiness. Three massive pillars stood in the room with aerial fabric dancers draped around them. They twist and unwind themselves in beautiful flowing material, wowing the onlookers. I notice three handlers to the side, caring for two leashed servals and one cheetah. They sit poised, making me believe that this was not their first soiree. <a data-passage="UHH15"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<nobr>> <<audio "walkinside" fadeout>> <<audio "gala" loop volume 0 fadeto 0.40>> <</nobr>> What I guessed to be the dance floor was already littered with people, swaying to a subtle hip-hop beat, reminding me more of awkward middle schoolers at a dance than adults attending a gala. Continuing to look around, I notice a large champagne fountain, the light golden bubbles dribbling down the side of the martini glass sculptures that they fall in. A few people dawdle near, laughing as they hold their glasses to their mouths as if to drink but never doing so. The more I gaze around, the more I see it, nothing but fake smiles and cunning eyes. Promises straying from the tongue as easily as lies, but the truth never making an appearance. To be in a world like this, let alone raised in it … I couldn't begin to imagine. [[Look for the others.]] [[Blend in.][$focus +=1]] [[Talk strategy with Sydero.]]
I begin to look for the others from our raised positions, realizing that they could be anywhere. Hopefully, they stayed in the central area, at least for now. “Any sight of the others?” I question, having to do a double-take when I realize that she was no longer beside me but making her way towards the stairs. I follow after her, and once we reach the bottom, she grabs two glasses of champagne, handing me one and taking a sip of her own. “This isn’t even the good stuff,” she growls, loud enough for those nearby to hear her. “Then why grab the glasses?” I question, gazing around for someplace to put them down, finding a banquet table nearby. “Because we need to fit in. We don’t have to do anything else but sip these tiny ass portions and laugh like we’re slightly crazy.” I raise an amused brow, “something tells me there’s more to it than that.” “There better not be,” she hisses and then gestures to herself, “I’m standing here in a dress and heels, no barb-wire bat in sight. What more do they want from me?” [[“I can tell you what I want.”][$danger +=1]] [[“Probably for you to mess up.”][$con +=1]] [[“You really want to just wreck everything, huh?”][$kink +=1]]
“Come on,” I tell her with a nudge and then make my way down the stairs. Once I get to the bottom, I gaze around for a waiter and call him over. He nods his head, and I thank him as I grab two glasses, passing one to Sydero and taking a sip. “I doubt this is whiskey,” she sighs, swirling the liquid around with a bored expression. “You don’t have to drink it,” I reassure her, “it’s just to make you fit in.” “And here I thought I was doing such a good job at that.” “Walking around and stunting your beauty is only half of it,” I smirk, taking another sip, though I do so mainly to avoid the sneer she tosses my way. “And the other half?” [[“Blending in, of course.”][$focus +=1]] [[“Give me a minute, I’ll think of something.”]]
“Alright, we’re here. Now we just need to find the –,” I start, but Sydero blurts out, interrupting me. “The caviar, we really do need to find that. I have just been dying to have some again.” I raise a brow but allow her to lead me down the stairs and over towards a table as if we truly were looking for the dish. With how engaged she was in the search, I was starting to think we really were. “So, you’ve been dying to have fish eggs?” “No,” she smirks, turning to me and cocking her head as she licks her lips, “I’ve actually been dying to taste some Roe.” My cheeks flare-up, glancing around but seeing that those nearby didn’t seem to mind. Sydero erases the space between us and positions herself so that our back was to the crowd and our eyes on the table. “You do remember that half of the people here are supernaturals, right? Super hearing? You just don’t blurt out the illegal shit happening and expect to blend in.” She had a point, and I can give her nothing but a sheepish grin to confirm that I understood. “You want to fuss over the appetizers here?” I question, pointing at one dish that I did know, “look they have Avocado Bruschetta.” She glances in the direction and raises a brow, “you mean the burnt bread with vegetables on top?” I gawk, though I can’t say I’m surprised, “you’re so uncultured.” “I just call it how I see it.” “Whatever you say, Ms. Caviar,” I smirk victoriously as she throws me a look. “There you two are,” Chris announces, a giant fake smile plastered on his face as he walks over, the rest of the gang trailing. “I didn’t think you’d have time to make it this year.” He continues to speak in an aggrandizing voice, causing a few to look our way in interest, but that was it. “We never miss it,” Sydero says, shockingly matching his over the top voice, “or at least we try not to. This one’s schedule was all over the place, I had to practically beg for ?him to take a break.” She purrs the last part, saying it right in my ear. <a data-passage="UHH16"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I give her a goofy smile and nudge her playfully, “I can tell you what I want.” “Oh, and what’s that?” I lean in to whisper it in her ear but never get the opportunity. “There you two are,” Chris announces, a giant fake smile plastered on his face as he walks over, the rest of the gang trailing. “I didn’t think you’d have time to make it this year.” He continues to speak in an aggrandizing voice, causing a few to look our way in interest, but that was it. “We never miss it,” Sydero says, shockingly matching his over the top voice, “or at least we try not to. This one’s schedule was all over the place, I had to practically beg for ?him to take a break.” She purrs the last part, saying it right in my ear. <a data-passage="UHH16"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I sweep my eyes over the crowd, again spotting the fakeness in their eyes and the boredom in their posture. “Probably for you to mess up,” I tell her, “it would probably give their night some excitement. “There you two are,” Chris announces, a giant fake smile plastered on his face as he walks over, the rest of the gang trailing. “I didn’t think you’d have time to make it this year.” He continues to speak in an aggrandizing voice, causing a few to look our way in interest, but that was it. “We never miss it,” Sydero says, shockingly matching his over the top voice, “or at least we try not to. This one’s schedule was all over the place, I had to practically beg for ?him to take a break.” She purrs the last part, saying it right in my ear. <a data-passage="UHH16"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“You really want to just wreck everything in sight, huh?” I chuckle. “You know how much I hate things like this. It’s like someone took everything that pisses me off and placed it in one place to test me. I can assure you that my self-control isn’t //that// strong.” “There you two are,” Chris announces, a giant fake smile plastered on his face as he walks over, the rest of the gang trailing. “I didn’t think you’d have time to make it this year.” He continues to speak in an aggrandizing voice, causing a few to look our way in interest, but that was it. “We never miss it,” Sydero says, shockingly matching his over the top voice, “or at least we try not to. This one’s schedule was all over the place, I had to practically beg for ?him to take a break.” She purrs the last part, saying it right in my ear. <a data-passage="UHH16"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“You two are way too good at this, it’s creepy,” Zillah growls in a low tone, sipping some of his champagne. He looked amazing in a black and gold Ankara dashiki while wearing thinly gold-rimmed sunglasses. “Thank my dad,” Chris sighs, “I’ve actually been to a few functions like this. Though,” he pauses, grabbing a plate and looking over the selection, “most of those in attendance had cowboy hats on and visible pocket watches. As if the dumbasses could actually tell time.” Sydero shrugs, “you’d be surprised at how many places I’ve had to get into. In another life, I might as well had been an actress.” “It’s funny,” Amari says, oddly quiet, though she stood as a queen would. Her dress was light pink with designs all throughout it. The skirt part of the dress had two layers; the first one was thin and transparent while the second layer, which covered the back, was far thicker. The top half of the dress was of thicker material as well, the sleeves resembling feathers. While she and Zillah weren’t matching, they still looked formidable together, a visual that I could appreciate. Amari continues, “you two are great at this. And Zillah, $name, and I look like we belong here. Leaving Rahim as the oddball, but he’s the one with the money, so the only one who actually would belong here.” We all look towards Rahim, who seems to have already known this. His slouching posture and the uncaring look in his eye, as well as how his frown deepens every time someone passes, proving the validity of Amari’s words. <a data-passage="UHH17"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Blending in, of course,” I say as if it should be obvious. She rolls her eyes, confirming that she had laid out bait that I had refused to take. “There you two are,” Chris announces, a giant fake smile plastered on his face as he walks over, the rest of the gang trailing. “I didn’t think you’d have time to make it this year.” He continues to speak in an aggrandizing voice, causing a few to look our way in interest, but that was it. “We never miss it,” Sydero says, shockingly matching his over the top voice, “or at least we try not to. This one’s schedule was all over the place, I had to practically beg for ?him to take a break.” She purrs the last part, saying it right in my ear. <a data-passage="UHH16"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Give me a minute, I’ll think of something,” I chuckle, not bothering to truly do so. I wouldn’t figure anything else out; these things were just as odd to me as they were to her. “There you two are,” Chris announces, a giant fake smile plastered on his face as he walks over, the rest of the gang trailing. “I didn’t think you’d have time to make it this year.” He continues to speak in an aggrandizing voice, causing a few to look our way in interest, but that was it. “We never miss it,” Sydero says, shockingly matching his over the top voice, “or at least we try not to. This one’s schedule was all over the place, I had to practically beg for ?him to take a break.” She purrs the last part, saying it right in my ear. <a data-passage="UHH16"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<if $cr>>\ “Think of it as we’re perfect for each other, darlin’,” Chris states, “you got the cash, and I got the attitude.” “Call me darling again, and I’ll have both before the night is up.” Chris simply laughs, whispering something into Rahim’s ear that causes his cheeks to turn a bright red. “Noth ... nothing. Sorry,” he stammers in reply to whatever Chris had said. <<else>>\ “I’ve been telling him he needs to lighten up. He’s drawing too much attention,” Chris sighs, rolling his eyes as he eats what looks to be some kind of tapas. “Good. Means people will leave me the fuck alone,” Rahim states, just loud enough for those nearby to hear. <</if>>\ “Go ahead, Bradley,” Sydero sighs, and Bradley’s voice comes alive in all of our ears. “Alright, remember you’re looking for a goblin named Adelard Bélanger. I did as much digging as possible and could only find that he’s the one who handles the shipments and I guess the technical, behind the scenes details. I’m guessing the Order believes that if we take him out, then the entire system will crumble.” [[“No, just a certain part.”][$focus +=1]] [[“Makes sense.”]]
I narrow my eyes, “no, just a certain part.” The others all gaze at me to explain. “If they wanted the entire system to fall, then they would’ve given us the leaders as targets. If this guy is how you explained, then he’s just a small part of something big. My best guess is that they don’t want the ring and auction to stop, just to slow down.” Amari gulps and Chris and Rahim frown, Zillah looks bored, and Sydero seems impressed. A warm smile on her face as she observes me. “Do you know where he is right now?” Rahim questions, “or when we need to head down?” “I don’t know where he’s at, but Zillah and Amari should probably head down there now. I need to get into some of those feeds and accounts pronto.” [[“Get in and get out.”][$focus +=1]] [[“Feed us as much info as possible.”]] [[“Fuck their shit up.”]]
“Makes sense, the behind the scenes are even more important than everything else,” I point out. “Though I agree with you,” Rahim starts, “I don’t think he’s as important as we think. There’s no way there’s not about five more like him.” “Almost correct,” Sydero interjects, “there’s probably one of him, but he’s still not as important. At best, taking him out will slow things down and cause them to run around without their heads for a while. I’m guessing the Order wants to cripple, not eradicate.” “Do you know where he is right now?” Rahim questions, “or when we need to head down?” “I don’t know where he’s at, but Zillah and Amari should probably head down there now. I need to get into some of those feeds and accounts pronto.” [[“Get in and get out.”][$focus +=1]] [[“Feed us as much info as possible.”]] [[“Fuck their shit up.”]]
“Get in and get out, Bradley. Be prompt, we don’t want anyone to get suspicious and be able to link it back to you.” “Understood. Um, Chris and Rahim, you two can head down whenever you want. Just make sure you make a scene wherever you go. It’s probably better for you to start making scenes now actually, so as not to shock later.” “Consider it done,” Chris laughs, “ah, walking into a pit of snakes as a mouse and pretending to be a god. Damn, do I love this job.” “$name and Sydero,” Bradley continues, “you head in only when I tell you.” “Sounds good,” Sydero states, “everyone clear?” We each nod, and my stomach churns much like it always does when we’re on a hunt. <<if $cr>>\ “We’ll see you guys at the main attraction. May the odds forever be in your favor.” Chris tells us, one hand holding his food and the other around Rahim. “Did he just quote Hunger Games?” Amari asks. Zillah claps and looks at us in excitement, “I know that movie. Peeta's a little bitch.” <<else>>\ “And with that, I’m walking away,” Chris announces, and Rahim follows him a few seconds later. <</if>>\ “I’m kind of nervous,” Amari confesses, “what do we do once we’re down there? We can’t just immediately head to the security room, right?” [[“Just have fun.”]] [[“Keep an eye out for the target.”]] [[“Find the security room as fast as possible.”][$focus +=1]]
“When you get in, Bradley,” I start, “make sure you keep feeding us info. Even if you think it won’t be helpful, it might prove to be.” “Understood. Um, Chris and Rahim, you two can head down whenever you want. Just make sure you make a scene wherever you go. It’s probably better for you to start making scenes now actually, so as not to shock later.” “Consider it done,” Chris laughs, “ah, walking into a pit of snakes as a mouse and pretending to be a god. Damn, do I love this job.” “$name and Sydero,” Bradley continues, “you head in only when I tell you.” “Sounds good,” Sydero states, “everyone clear?” We each nod, and my stomach churns much like it always does when we’re on a hunt. <<if $cr>>\ “We’ll see you guys at the main attraction. May the odds forever be in your favor.” Chris tells us, one hand holding his food and the other around Rahim. “Did he just quote Hunger Games?” Amari asks. Zillah claps and looks at us in excitement, “I know that movie. Peeta's a little bitch.” <<else>>\ “And with that, I’m walking away,” Chris announces, and Rahim follows him a few seconds later. <</if>>\ “I’m kind of nervous,” Amari confesses, “what do we do once we’re down there? We can’t just immediately head to the security room, right?” [[“Just have fun.”]] [[“Keep an eye out for the target.”]] [[“Find the security room as fast as possible.”][$focus +=1]]
“As soon as you get in there, Bradley,” I start, tossing a knowing smile at Syd, “fuck their shit up.” “Order of Vendikai won’t like that,” he chuckles, “too bad I don’t care. You got it, $name. Um, Chris and Rahim, you two can head down whenever you want. Just make sure you make a scene wherever you go. It’s probably better for you to start making scenes now actually, so as not to shock later.” “Consider it done,” Chris laughs, “ah, walking into a pit of snakes as a mouse and pretending to be a god. Damn, do I love this job.” “$name and Sydero,” Bradley continues, “you head in only when I tell you.” “Sounds good,” Sydero states, “everyone clear?” We each nod, and my stomach churns much like it always does when we’re on a hunt. <<if $cr>>\ “We’ll see you guys at the main attraction. May the odds forever be in your favor.” Chris tells us, one hand holding his food and the other around Rahim. “Did he just quote Hunger Games?” Amari asks. Zillah claps and looks at us in excitement, “I know that movie. Peeta's a little bitch.” <<else>>\ “And with that, I’m walking away,” Chris announces, and Rahim follows him a few seconds later. <</if>>\ “I’m kind of nervous,” Amari confesses, “what do we do once we’re down there? We can’t just immediately head to the security room, right?” [[“Just have fun.”][$wrecker = true]] [[“Keep an eye out for the target.”]] [[“Find the security room as fast as possible.”][$focus +=1]]
“Just have fun,” I tell her, “who knows when we’ll be able to attend something like this again.” “Fun?” she repeats, drawing it out and turning to Zillah. “What is fun?” “Those fabric dancers look like fun,” Zillah points out, and Amari becomes visibly excited. “Ooh, can I mess with the kitties then?” “No,” Sydero growls, “head down and then find a nice little a corner to sit in and just wait. Otherwise, you’ll fuck everything up, which I would encourage, but not this time.” “But,” they both whine. “Corner, go!” They both mope away, and I take note that even while doing so, they still look every bit as formal and posh as they did while they were approaching. “And the two of us?” I question. Sydero turns to me, raising a brow before a small sneer comes onto her face. She takes a step closer to me, eliminating any space as she looks deep into my eyes. “Give me an order.” I stiffen, trying to figure out how I should take her words. It was more than just common knowledge that Sydero wasn’t one to take orders. In fact, giving her orders most definitely meant she would do the opposite. Even worse, I had a feeling her words came from a place of desire. She was the dominant one between us, whether I liked it or not; for all I know, this was a test. [[Laugh it off. “Come on, we’re causing a scene.”][$con +=1]] [[Give both of you an order. “We should blend in.”][$kink +=1]] [[She wanted it, so I’ll give it to her. “You stick beside me and keep an eye out for the target.”][$danger +=1]]
“Once you’re down there, keep an eye out for the target. Amari, if you can, try and get his scent so that we can find him easier in the future.” She nods, and I turn to Zillah. “If you ever get the chance, get a better feel of the place. We got the exits and rooms up here but not down there. It’ll make it easier for us once we get started.” Zillah nods, and with orders given to both of them, they walk away. I turn to Syd, who’s watching me closely, a glint in her eye. “What?” “Nothing,” she chuckles, “it’s just cute when you take control like that.” “And the two of us?” I question. Sydero turns to me, raising a brow before a small sneer comes onto her face. She takes a step closer to me, eliminating any space as she looks deep into my eyes. “Give me an order.” I stiffen, trying to figure out how I should take her words. It was more than just common knowledge that Sydero wasn’t one to take orders. In fact, giving her orders most definitely meant she would do the opposite. Even worse, I had a feeling her words came from a place of desire. She was the dominant one between us, whether I liked it or not; for all I know, this was a test. [[Laugh it off. “Come on, we’re causing a scene.”][$con +=1]] [[Give both of you an order. “We should blend in.”][$kink +=1]] [[She wanted it, so I’ll give it to her. “You stick beside me and keep an eye out for the target.”][$danger +=1]]
“Both of you immediately go and look for the security room, the faster we get Bradley in control of the building and into those files, the better.” “And how are we even supposed to know where that is?” Zillah questions, his tone making it sound as if I had just asked him to go wear polka dots or invited him to take a hike through the mountains, “you want us to just ask everyone we come across?” “Yes, that’s exactly what I want you to do,” I say to him, rolling my eyes as the sarcastic words leave my mouth. “Just blend in and wait until you find it. Shouldn’t be that hard. No one is around it, and it’s behind a closed door.” Sydero snorts, “you forget who you’re talking to. That’s much too hard for him.” Zillah guffaws at the words, grabbing Amari’s hand and yanking her after him. I’m sure he was eager to prove us wrong. “And the two of us?” I question. Sydero turns to me, raising a brow before a small sneer comes onto her face. She takes a step closer to me, eliminating any space as she looks deep into my eyes. “Give me an order.” I stiffen, trying to figure out how I should take her words. It was more than just common knowledge that Sydero wasn’t one to take orders. In fact, giving her orders most definitely meant she would do the opposite. Even worse, I had a feeling her words came from a place of desire. She was the dominant one between us, whether I liked it or not; for all I know, this was a test. [[Laugh it off. “Come on, we’re causing a scene.”][$con +=1]] [[Give both of you an order. “We should blend in.”][$kink +=1]] [[She wanted it, so I’ll give it to her. “You stick beside me and keep an eye out for the target.”][$danger +=1]]
I search her eyes before cracking a smile that turns into an easy laugh, though it settles me, it doesn’t seem to do the same for Sydero. She doesn’t move, still waiting for my next words. “Come on,” I say, squeezing her arm, “we’re causing a scene, and I’m sure that’s the last thing you want.” Her face finally shifts, giving me a mock pout, “and here I thought you were going to rise to the bait.” “What do you always say?” I ask, walking away from the banquet table, “pick your battles wisely?” She snorts, “you never do that.” “First for everything,” I chime in, turning around to figure out where we should go next. I catch sight of those dancing and smile. Besides joining a conversation, that was definitely the most straightforward way to blend in. <a data-passage="UHH18"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
This was a test or a bait, probably both if I was to be honest. The thing was, I didn’t wish to figure it out. We needed to focus, and trying to play Sydero’s game was the exact opposite of focusing. Perhaps another time, but right now, no. “We should blend in,” I say, making sure to word it as more of a suggestion as well as adding in the ‘we.’ Sydero frowns, but she doesn’t question me. “Come on,” I urge and then nod to the dance floor, “let’s dance.” <a data-passage="UHH18"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I knew this was a bait. It was so evident that even acting dumb felt overly stupid and nonsensical. Sydero wanted to see if I would actually do it. And, well, who was I to deny her. To bolster the command that I was about to give her, I take an intimidating step up to her, none too surprised when she cocks her head to the side in interest instead of fear or concern. “You stick beside me and keep an eye out for the target. Think you can handle that, Syd?” The intensity in her eyes is on a different level, confirming that if she ever did give me control in the bedroom, then it was all because she chose to. I had prepared myself for anything, but now I felt small, hardly in a position to be giving anyone, least of all her, orders. “I can handle it just fine,” Sydero whispers, entangling her finger in my hair and yanking it violently so that my head was now at an angle. I let out a sharp though muffled yelp, “but let’s say I can’t, what then? What exactly will you do, Roe?” My mouth feels dry as she leans in, another challenge in her eyes, desire burning within them as those around us begin to fade. Whether it was smart or not, I don’t answer, words unable to form on my lips as I become more interested in her closeness. My own desire mounting to unprecedented levels as the room becomes unbearably hot. I’m about to release a pant when she releases me, the room coming back into view, the people melting back into place, everything righted itself. The only thing that lingers is the ache and the want. Thankfully, I’m not alone. Even with the moment fading, Sydero’s eyes refuse to lose the crimson inking that symbolizes her demonic side. “Let’s dance,” I say, not knowing what else to do. We still needed to blend in and after that scene, more than ever. <a data-passage="UHH18"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Whoa,” she protests, resisting but not by much, “I don’t dance.” “I know you can,” I smirk, and she raises a brow at my singsong voice, “you’re supposed to say ‘not a chance, no,’” I sing the no part as we make it to the dance floor, and she continues to give me a confused look. “You really didn’t have a happy childhood.” “My childhood was fine,” she growls, taking a moment to look at those around us. If I was to guess, the music was a lofi jazzy tune, something that people could sway to and enjoy but also listen and sip champagne to. We sway like the others, though our attention was on those nearby. “Do we even know what Adelard looks like?” I question. “Doesn’t matter. I can sense fae people, that’s what we focus on.” I hum in acknowledgment, grabbing her hand and spinning her in a circle, snorting at the glare she sends me. We go back to swaying, my hands on her hips, and one of her arms slung over my shoulder. Her attention was on those around us, probably using both her senses and empathy abilities to detect our target. My eyes soften considerably as I take her in. It will always amaze me how beautiful she was. It was a fact that I noticed the first day I saw her, covered in bruises, lying in a hospital bed with old dusty clothes. And every day since, that feeling grew, joined by another, more intimate one. My uncle always said that he believed love wasn’t you just looking at someone and thinking they were attractive with some favorable personality traits. It was looking deep into someone and seeing their soul laid bare for viewing. It was seeing their positives and their negatives, their quirks and their flaws. The things that plagued them as well as what alleviated them. It was taking all that they were and loving them regardless. He told me it was a risk, most of the time a stupid and foolish one, but one that I would never regret. And it was now that I finally understood everything he was saying to me. Did I ... did I love her? <a data-passage="UHH19"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Roe,” Sydero says, brow raised as she regards me, “are you okay?” I lick my lips, my heart near bursting from the thoughts that had just sped through my head. I need to tell her … I wanted to tell her. “Syd, listen,” I start, drawing her in close, but she stiffens and looks past me. “Hold that thought,” she growls, pulling away and darting off. I clear my throat as I try to hide the shock that settles over me. I surmise that she had found Adelard. She had been searching for him this entire time. I just wish he hadn’t popped up at the most inopportune moment. <img src="images/divider1.png"> Sydero pushes past those in her way, most of them moving far before she got to them, perhaps sensing her and saving themselves. If that was true, then it was merely the humans who were about to face her wrath, each of them believing themselves far too important. It was only when she thought she was well away from Roe that she stopped. She hadn't wholly lied. In fact, she hadn't lied at all. All she said was that Roe should hold ?his_ thought, she didn't say why or if she had found Adelard. She had sensed fae blood, but it was far too distant for her to actually hope to pursue. <a data-passage="UHH20"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
The truth was that she needed away from Roe's heart, the beating, the pure intoxication that pulled at her. It was hard enough to fight it on a regular day, but now, it was giving her a headache. These were the days that she wished she didn't have her empathy, or that it was at least as weak as her twin's. She wished she was alone. She really wanted to hit something, something that would cause her to feel nothing but pain so that she could focus on that instead. That was love, right? The feelings that rushed through her that were Roe's, that was what love was. But it angered her, it disgusted and caused her so much confusion. That wasn't love; that was something else, something strange. Love was a death sentence, love was pushing away those you cherished, love was strangulation. She closes her eyes and made an attempt to steady herself. She pushed away the sickness and took a deep breath. She said it herself, that wasn't love. And so, there was nothing else to it. She shakes the thought from her head and heads back, finding Roe just as the song changes. <img src="images/divider2.png"> <a data-passage="UHH21"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<nobr>> <<audio "gala" fadeout>> <<audio "dance" loop volume 0 fadeto 0.40>> <</nobr>> “Did you find him?” I ask as Sydero makes it back to my side, a look of irritation on her face, which probably meant she lost him. “It was a longshot,” she tells me with a shrug, “I sensed it and thought I could potentially track whatever it was down. Didn’t really work out that way.” I nod, listening to the next song that was being played by the live band. Gypsy, I suppose? I really couldn’t put my finger on it, almost had a ballad feel to the piece. I frown and make to leave the dance floor when Sydero grabs my hand and brings me back. “I do know this,” she grins, and to my utter amazement, she pulls me close and begins to lead us through a series of steps. I attempt to form words, but none make it out. I was much too surprised. She sweeps me through a few moves, and I simply follow, not knowing enough to do anything else. [[“I don’t know this though.”]] [[“Where’d you learn this dance?”]] [[“What kind of dance?”]]
“I don’t know what I’m doing, though,” I tell her, a bit of panic in my voice as I gaze around and see that many have left the floor. Only a few remain, and the way they were eyeing us, I had no doubt they would also be taking their leave soon. “Just let the music take over and follow my lead whenever you can.” Part of me wants to argue her words, dancing wasn’t that simple, or perhaps it was, but not when there was a partner and specific moves to perform. Yet, the smile on her face, the ease in her steps, I didn’t have the heart. We dance together, or I was more so trying to keep up than dance. I believe I’m doing a decent job of it, seeing that I hadn’t tripped yet or ran into Sydero. Thankfully, she knew the dance well enough, and my previous warning allowed her to make accommodations. She was quick on her feet, always spinning out of the way or making it seem that a small mistake on my part was purposeful. At one part of the song, Sydero is behind me, and as she sways to the beat, I do the same, though the opposite way. Passion and pleasure bleed together, infecting the dance as we move apart. I perform a spin as Sydero walks in front of me, trailing her hand across my chest seductively and stealing my breath. That desire was back in her eye, the crimson sparking like that of a fire waiting for someone with a match to finally ignite it. [[Match her energy.][$kink +=1]] [[Just continue dancing.][$con +=1]] [[Ignite it.][$danger +=1]]
“You have to tell me,” I start, glancing around to see that most of everyone else had cleared the floor, obviously not wishing to be upstaged by someone who actually knew what they were doing. “Where’d you learn this dance?” “Funny enough,” she says, throwing up her right hand and then spinning on her left foot, walking around me slowly. “Rahim. We had done a hunt together that required us to learn it to get close to our target. He needed information, I needed to kill the guy, teaming up only made sense.” She does a flawless spin on one foot before joining me. “This is definitely the wrong dress, though.” We dance together, or I was more so trying to keep up than dance. I believe I’m doing a decent job of it, seeing that I hadn’t tripped yet or ran into Sydero. Thankfully, she knew the dance well enough, and my previous warning allowed her to make accommodations. She was quick on her feet, always spinning out of the way or making it seem that a small mistake on my part was purposeful. At one part of the song, Sydero is behind me, and as she sways to the beat, I do the same, though the opposite way. Passion and pleasure bleed together, infecting the dance as we move apart. I perform a spin as Sydero walks in front of me, trailing her hand across my chest seductively and stealing my breath. That desire was back in her eye, the crimson sparking like that of a fire waiting for someone with a match to finally ignite it. [[Match her energy.][$kink +=1]] [[Just continue dancing.][$con +=1]] [[Ignite it.][$danger +=1]]
I roll my neck around, “just tell me what kind of dance this is, so I know what I’m doing.” “Roe,” Sydero starts, eyebrow raised, “you know how to dance?” “Some dances,” I say, with a laugh, “I know enough. What is this Spanish dancing? Gypsy? I can’t really determine.” “Close. Ever heard of the Paso Doble? It’s that dance with a few cultural gypsy moves.” I run through what I knew of gypsy dance moves and Spanish, as well as Paso Doble. I could do this, or at least fake it enough to trick everyone into believing I could. I would have to, seeing that most of the other dancers had already chosen to abandon the floor. Most of the attention was on us. A few curious glances go to the dancers that stayed behind, wondering how much longer they would attempt to compete with us. We dance together, the area around us disappearing as we go through the steps. Thankfully, I knew enough to actually be able to dance with her, would hate to trip over two left feet. Soon, it all seems natural, reminding me of how I would dance back in high school and college, how freeing this was and why I enjoyed it so. At one part of the song, Sydero is behind me, and as she sways to the beat, I do the same, though the opposite way. Passion and pleasure bleed together, infecting the dance as we move apart. I perform a spin as Sydero walks in front of me, trailing her hand across my chest seductively and stealing my breath. That desire was back in her eye, the crimson sparking like that of a fire waiting for someone with a match to finally ignite it. [[Match her energy.][$kink +=1]] [[Just continue dancing.][$con +=1]] [[Ignite it.][$danger +=1]]
I match the energy that she gives off, refusing to push it but refusing not to at least fan it. Each step brings us close together, while every other step, further apart. Oddly, I feel like the dance almost perfectly describes our relationship, and though my brain shouldn’t wander, it does. This dance was fast-paced and intense, though one would never imagine so due to the music. It had traces of both leisure and excitement, a song that could make your mind amble just as fast it could get your heart racing. The moves weren’t calculated but thinking that you could make it all up as you go with no clue of the dance wasn’t the right thing either. Too much concentration and you risked losing the flow and being trampled, but the same thing could happen if you didn’t think enough, if you did your own thing and assumed all would end well. A level of understanding had to be there, a level of concentration, but also a dash of freedom. My eyes widen at that, and I look to Sydero. My body folding against hers naturally as the song ends. Most of my weight was against Sydero, and as I look into her eyes, I had to wonder, was she thinking the same as I? The room bursts into applause and though Sydero rolls her eyes, she at least joins me in a bow as we move away from the floor, and another low energy song begins to play. I begin to make my way towards a table when Sydero grabs for my hand, pulling me in a different direction. “Uh, Syd?” I question but she continues to pull me along. <a data-passage="S1"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I continue dancing, reminding myself that not only were we here on a hunt, but we didn’t have time to get carried away. I put half of my focus on the dance and the other half on the area around us, wondering if we captured the attention of Adelard or even one of the leaders. “You need to relax,” Sydero grumbles in my ear as she passes me, and I do as she advises. I place more attention on the dance, letting myself get swept up in the thrill and idea that I wouldn’t see Sydero like this a lot. She wasn’t a dancer, that much I knew. I knew she would rather be sitting behind a piano and letting the tune carry her soul away, but right now, I couldn’t tell. I couldn’t tell that she hated dancing and crowds. Right then, I realized that for her, it was just her and me. We were back at the house, and it was just Sydero and me, no one else. She carried no weight, had to wear no mask, had no barriers up. And that’s the type of carefree nature I wanted her to always have. The song comes to a stop, and I dramatically fall into her arms, laughing as she catches me at the last minute, giving me a stern look that definitely told me not to do that ever again. She helps straighten me up, and I place a light kiss on the tip of her mouth, my lips lingering for some time before I finally pull back. I say nothing about the faint blush that decorates her cheeks. I keep that to myself but treasure it all the same. The room bursts into applause and though Sydero rolls her eyes, she at least joins me in a bow as we move away from the floor, and another low energy song begins to play. I begin to make my way towards a table when Sydero grabs for my hand, pulling me in a different direction. “Uh, Syd?” I question but she continues to pull me along. <a data-passage="S1"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
As soon as I see the look in her eyes, it ignites something in me. Once again, I feel the need to challenge her, just as much as she wishes to challenge me. She beckons me close, and I oblige, surprised when she does a spin and then kicks her leg up onto my shoulder. I wasn’t surprised that she wasn’t playing fair, but this was just unreasonable. I hook my hand underneath her knee and lower both of us to the ground, sliding away from her. I decide to move first, performing a few moves I saw her do earlier. I circle her, getting closer into her space with each step, and elegantly she throws her hand into the air and brings it down slowly until she was cradling my face. I can feel my heart beating. The need that spreads through me. How each touch ignites a different part of me, how it feels like my entire existence is a forge begging to be stroked. Our faces are mere inches apart, and I find myself panting, wanting nothing more to smash my lips against hers. To claim her as mine and mine only. To push her buttons and have her do her worse so that I could have all of her. This desire was dangerous, that much I knew. It didn’t come to me all the time, but when it did, it ravaged me. I was a willing toy for it to play with. <<if $danger >=4>>\ [[Challenge her. This will commit you to the dangerous path. You will no longer be able to go down the vanilla or kink path.][$danger to 10]] <</if>>\ [[Back down. This will allow you to go down the other two paths but will not allow you to continue down the dangerous path.][$danger to 0]]
“I bet you won’t,” I whisper, the words said so lightly that even I paused to figure out if I had said it. I feel her body stiffen and I dare look from her lips to her eyes, watching as a bit more crimson flooded into her eyes, but there was one thing still missing. “Maybe because I don’t want to,” she says against my lips, “take that as –” I smash my lips against hers, the kiss not focused nor orderly or anything else. It wasn’t attractive, it wasn’t pleasing to look at, but I didn’t care. It was meant to do one thing and one thing only. Enrage her. I pull back, wearing a superior smirk. I glance into her eyes and see what had been missing before. Ignoring how the crimson and amber color clashed, fighting for dominance as the last bit of her tried to keep control. Ignoring how her sclera was darkening, taking the demonic version over the human. Ignoring all of that, I focused on the golden sparkles of her eyes. How they looked like stars amongst a combative sky. They faded in and out, some shining far brighter than the others. That was what I was waiting for. She grabs my wrist and yanks me after her, the crowd applauding though doing so in confusion. To them, it looked like Sydero was angry, and in a way, they were right. She was furious but not for what they thought. She wasn’t irate by the kiss, but she was fighting with the purring and screaming succubus that lived inside of her, the lust that could be compared more to a feral animal than that of a pleasurable and dear partner. I had just committed myself to a dangerous play, for there was nothing a dominatrix hated more than being toyed with. But I didn’t care. I had given up on caring a week ago. <a data-passage="S1"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I sigh and let out a shaky breath, telling myself that this was for the best. What I was feeling was dangerous, and certainly not helpful at this moment in time. We both needed to concentrate, and that wasn’t going to happen if we were all over each other. The room bursts into applause and though Sydero rolls her eyes, she at least joins me in a bow as we move away from the floor, and another low energy song begins to play. I begin to make my way towards a table when Sydero grabs for my hand, pulling me in a different direction. “Uh, Syd?” I question but she continues to pull me along. <a data-passage="S1"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
Sydero drags me down a hallway and into the first room that we come to. It looked like a study, a room off the path for those who needed to take a breather or wished to speak without overhearing everyone else’s conversation. Could even be used as a place for business to be done. Perhaps that was what the people inside were doing now, speaking about business, unappreciative of the two who had just rudely inserted themselves into it. It was three men, each in fancy suits and holding glasses of champagne, though one looked like it had been mixed with something. <<if $danger is 10>>\ “Out,” Sydero grumbles, opening the door for them, her other hand still around my wrist, which was beginning to hurt. Sadly, it only pleased me more, making me want to push her further. I wanted all her anger directed at me, all that energy was mine. <<else>>\ “Ah, I see the room is occupied,” Sydero remarks, “I’m going to kindly ask that you all leave.” <</if>>\ “Excuse you,” one of the men say, baring his vampiric teeth as if that was supposed to cause us to shrink and apologize. It might have if we were actually who we appeared to be, socialites amongst the supernatural world. But knowing we weren’t part of this world and would never run into these men again, the consequences were little if non-existent. <<if $danger is 10>>\ She stares at him, and all three men cower, understandably so. Her eyes were still fighting their war, causing her to look far scarier than some preadolescent vampire. To add to her murderous aura was my own. My death aura was beginning to radiate off me, and I didn’t care to put it in its place. The mist starts to pool at my feet, wisps appearing like tentacles desperate to grasp onto something breathing. All three men stiffen and immediately move towards the door. The closer they get, the more frantic they move until they were falling over one another to get out. As soon as they do, Sydero closes it with her powers and, with those same powers, slams me up against the door. I grit my teeth as pain shoots through my back, Sydero grabbing my chin in a fierce grip. <a data-passage="D1"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <<else>>\ “I’m not going to ask twice. Especially not nicely,” she tells them, glaring holes into each of them, causing each of them to visibly cower, understandably so. Her amber eyes were the definition of intense, and there was something about the way that she held herself that caused her intimidation levels to skyrocket. It turns out that she doesn’t need to ask twice. All three men rise and make for the door, none of them daring to look her in the eye as they pass. One even apologizes underneath his breath as he goes. As soon as the last one is out of the room, Sydero closes it with her powers and then turns towards me. “Finally, I have you alone.” “You did all of that just to get some naughty time in?” I ask, unable to hold back my laugh. “You act like you’re surprised,” she says, whispering as she places her body up against mine. “We both know I’ve been eye-fucking you all night.” [[“Really? I didn’t notice.”]] [[“Thankfully there’s no kids around.”]] <<if $kink >=3>>\ [[“What were you thinking?”][$kink +=1]] <</if>>\ <</if>>\
<<nobr>> <<audio "romance" fadeout>> <<audio "gala" loop volume 0 fadeto 0.40>> <</nobr>> Sydero captures my attention and nods to an area off to the side where three inconspicuous bouncers stand. I would think them just regular citizens who would rather watch than participate, but my supernatural senses knew precisely what they were – glamoured trolls. An interesting choice, frankly. A positive was that trolls were truly intimidating, seeing nothing wrong with picking you up and just devouring you there on the spot, damn those looking or the consequences. It dissuaded those who knew they didn’t belong from approaching, allowing only the ones who did to walk up confidently. A con was that the fae people were hard to deal with, the rules for others didn’t pertain to them, and odd rules did. I hope to just walk past them, not having enough knowledge about them to know what was acceptable and what would potentially get me eaten. Sydero and I approach, her arm draped around me as she played the half-drunken date. We both press the earpiece on so that Bradley could hear the interaction, just in case we run into a problem and need his help. “Oh, $name, I simply can’t wait to see the auction this year,” Sydero says in her actor’s voice, “tell me you’re going to buy me something pretty.” “We will see. They often don’t match your tastes,” I answer her, still trying to get over the sound of my name, my real name, coming from her lips. “Invite,” one of the trolls state, hardly paying us any mind but still having his hand out in anticipation. I watch Sydero move the slit of her dress to the side to retrieve the small invitation that Bradley had given each group. I raise a brow at the location, and the trolls each seem to be just as interested as I about it as well. I notice one move in for a better look. [[“You stay there or get cut.”]] [[“Give the woman privacy.”]] [[Use my death aura … again.]] [[Say nothing about it.]]
<<nobr>> <<audio "dance" fadeout>> <<audio "romance" loop volume 0 fadeto 0.40>> <</nobr>> “Did you think I needed your help right then?” she asks. “No,” I answer breathlessly. “Then why give it,” she growls. I fidget, and her powers intensify against me. I whimper, feeling the effects of her succubus powers wash over me. It pulled on me, whispered in my ear, it stroked and aroused with glee. “You tease and challenge all night, and suddenly you want to be let go?” The question sounds genuine, said in the most curious tone that I end up wondering why I had squirmed as well, an innate action perhaps. “I don’t want to be,” I murmur, another wave that almost has me come undone right then and there. I don’t know if I moan or whimper, probably a mix of both as more of the crimson comes into Sydero’s eye. “Then what do you want?” she asks. [[“I need you to fuck me.”]] [[“I want to be punished.”]] [[“What makes you think I want anything?”]]
“I need you to fuck me,” I growl, trying to control myself and failing miserably. My body was practically screaming her name at this point. “I don’t think you deserve my pussy,” she chuckles, the words a whisper that dance into my ears. “Please,” I attempt, snarling, able to grip her arm. Sometimes I forget how strong I had become since learning and controlling the reaper side of me. Sydero’s succubus side was still hard to fight, but it was far more bearable than before. Before, I would be on the floor by now, unable to continue on and probably needing an entire day to recover. Sydero swats my hand away and then pauses. I feel her shiver, and she takes a step back, her hold on me lessening. “No,” she says, refusing to make eye contact with me. “No? Why?” I question, trying to steady my voice and failing. She motions to herself, annoyed, “I’m pretty sure fucking you right now is the most dangerous thing we could do. And I’m not trying to break you. Consider it a compliment.” She shrugs and moves towards the door. [[Slam the door with my powers.]] [[Grab her and yank her back.]]
“I want to be punished,” I tell her in desperation, imagining her doing such a thing to me. Forcing me to my knees and doing whatever she saw fit to punish me for challenging her all this time. “Do you now?” she snickers, “can’t really disagree with you on that.” My body tingles in anticipation, and I reach out and grip her arm. Sometimes I forget how strong I had become since learning and controlling the reaper side of me. Sydero’s succubus side was still hard to fight, but it was far more bearable than before. Before, I would be on the floor by now, unable to continue on and probably needing an entire day to recover. Sydero swats my hand away and then pauses. I feel her shiver, and she takes a step back, her hold on me lessening. “No,” she says, refusing to make eye contact with me. “No? Why?” I question, trying to steady my voice and failing. She motions to herself, annoyed, “I’m pretty sure fucking you right now is the most dangerous thing we could do. And I’m not trying to break you. Consider it a compliment.” She shrugs and moves towards the door. [[Slam the door with my powers.]] [[Grab her and yank her back.]]
“What makes you think I want anything?” I ask in defiance, still refusing to stop my streak of cheekiness. I was getting Sydero right where I wanted her and was far too along to stop now. “I’d be a real asshole to leave you here then, huh?” she questions, placing her hand on the door to prop herself up, her lips less than an inch away from my own. “You want this as bad as I do,” I say, though the determination in her voice worries me. Somehow, I manage to fight through her pull and grab hold of her arm. Sometimes I forget how strong I had become since learning and controlling the reaper side of me. Sydero’s succubus side was still hard to fight, but it was far more bearable than before. Before, I would be on the floor by now, unable to continue on and probably needing an entire day to recover. Sydero swats my hand away and then pauses. I feel her shiver, and she takes a step back, her hold on me lessening. “No,” she says, refusing to make eye contact with me. “No? Why?” I question, trying to steady my voice and failing. She motions to herself, annoyed, “I’m pretty sure fucking you right now is the most dangerous thing we could do. And I’m not trying to break you. Consider it a compliment.” She shrugs and moves towards the door. [[Slam the door with my powers.]] [[Grab her and yank her back.]]
She opens it and I slam the door right back closed with my powers, glaring at her and testing her to try me. Of course, she does. We go back and forth, opening and slamming the door until frustration and tension are all that fills the room. She roars and turns her attention to me, her power rushing towards me and knocking me off my feet, causing me to slide across the floor, coming to a stop right before a bookshelf. “You really don’t learn shit, do you, Roe?” she asks, approaching but keeping her distance. “Can say the same about you. When are you going to stop making decisions for me? Whenever it comes to anything pertaining to us,” I point between her and me, “you make the decision as if I have no say or don’t have the brain cells to do so.” “You –,” she starts, but I continue to speak, already knowing what she would say in her defense and not wishing to hear it. “How about you let me deal with the repercussions, the same thing you always say. Let me see if I can handle you,” I smirk, “you’d be surprised. You’re probably giving yourself too much credit, you’re probably quite tame.” I’m not sure if she teleports or if she just moved faster than usual to end up above me. This time she doesn’t have to use her powers to keep me from moving, her hand is tight around my throat, not enough to do damage, but tight enough that moving proved unwise and if we stayed like this any longer, I’ll have a mark. She seems to think twice about what she’s doing and releases me, running her hands through her hair, allowing me to see more of the horns that have appeared. “If I do this, I won’t be able to control anything. You’ll get all or none.” <<if $showec is false>>\ //Due to the high sexual content, if you have opted to not see explicit content then I advise you go to the [[kink->K1]] or [[consenusal->C1]] route.// <</if>>\ <<if $showec>>\ [[Continue on. (Again, this sex scene contains sexual violence such as: knifeplay, choking, spanking, and bloodshed.)]] <</if>>\ [[Stop it here. (This will end the scene.)]]
I grab her and pull her back so that she was unable to move. “Seriously?” she growls, snatching her arm away and looking at me as if I was a crazed stranger and not the person … I didn’t wish to finish that thought, for maybe it wasn’t true. “We’re not done,” I tell her, trying to grab her again to keep her from leaving. She grunts in frustration and, using her power, pushes me backward and knocking me off my feet, causing me to slide across the floor, coming to a stop right before a bookshelf. “You really don’t learn shit, do you, Roe?” she asks, approaching but keeping her distance. “Can say the same about you. When are you going to stop making decisions for me? Whenever it comes to anything pertaining to us,” I point between her and me, “you make the decision as if I have no say or don’t have the brain cells to do so.” “You –,” she starts, but I continue to speak, already knowing what she would say in her defense and not wishing to hear it. “How about you let me deal with the repercussions, the same thing you always say. Let me see if I can handle you,” I smirk, “you’d be surprised. You’re probably giving yourself too much credit, you’re probably quite tame.” I’m not sure if she teleports or if she just moved faster than usual to end up above me. This time she doesn’t have to use her powers to keep me from moving, her hand is tight around my throat, not enough to do damage, but tight enough that moving proved unwise and if we stayed like this any longer, I’ll have a mark. She seems to think twice about what she’s doing and releases me, running her hands through her hair, allowing me to see more of the horns that have appeared. “If I do this, I won’t be able to control anything. You’ll get all or none.” <<if $showec is false>>//Due to the high sexual content, if you have opted to not see explicit content then I advise you go to the [[kink->K1]] or [[consenusal->C1]] route.//<</if>>\ <<if $showec>>\ [[Continue on. (Again, this sex scene contains sexual violence such as: knifeplay, choking, spanking, and bloodshed.)]] <</if>>\ [[Stop it here. (This will end the scene.)]]
<<if $sex is "p">>\ She appears in front of me again, pressing a teasing kiss to both corners of my mouths before placing another to my chest. She teases my nipple with her hand and takes the other into her mouth, biting it just enough to get a reaction out of me. I tilt my head back in pleasure as she takes her free hand and trails it along my erection. “Damn, Roe,” she mumbles against my skin, “already nice and hard for me, huh? Are you imagining filling me up with your seed, coming in my pussy?” “Fuck, yes,” I moan. “You gotta beg for that, my little reaper.” “Fuck, I want to fuck that tight hole of yours, Sydero,” I growl, her lips on my neck, “to cum deep inside you.” She slaps my dick, each strike causing me to shiver and whine. She was getting more aggressive, and my body was trying to figure out if it should purr in ecstasy or howl in pain. Frankly, I was doing both. I feel something cold rest against my skin and glance to see her blade resting on my collar bone. Instinctively, I recoil from the chill that the metal causes. I felt like I was aware of everything, especially the feeling of the blade’s tip traveling down my skin. Just enough pressure to leave a trail but not to tear into my skin. “Fuck, fuck!” I growl, wanting more, though part of me was wary. <<elseif $sex is "v">>\ She appears in front of me again, pressing a teasing kiss to both corners of my mouths before placing another to my chest. She teases my nipple with her hand and takes the other into her mouth, biting it just enough to get a reaction out of me. I tilt my head back in pleasure as she takes her free hand and massages it against my slit. “Damn, Roe,” she mumbles against my skin, “already soaking wet.” “I want you,” I murmur, shocked yet turned on when she slaps my pussy harshly. “What did I say about speaking out of turn?” I bite my tongue as she does it again and again, each hit causing my pleasure to mount. I take a step back, immediately regretting it as she slaps my ass. “And moving now too, you really are stubborn.” “I’m sorry,” I whimper, expecting and earning another harsh slap against my slit. I feel something cold rest against my skin and glance to see her blade resting on my collar bone. Instinctively, I recoil from the chill that the metal causes. I felt like I was aware of everything, especially the feeling of the blade’s tip traveling down my skin. Just enough pressure to leave a trail but not to tear into my skin. “Fuck, fuck!” I growl, wanting more, though part of me was wary. <<else>>\ <</if>>\ <a data-passage="D3"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“You stay there, big guy,” I warn, “or I will not hesitate to cut you.” His eyes widen in shock, and his next step is towards me. “Did you just threaten me?” “No, I warned you. Take another step towards my girl, though, and that warning will shift to action. It’s up to you. Like I said, it was just a warning.” I shrug nonchalantly, part of me genuinely wishing he would test me. The two of us make eye contact, and for a minute, I think he’s going to do it; his eyes dart to Sydero’s form. He then looks past me and asks for the invitation of whoever was behind me while the troll who took ours lets us pass. “Fucking thought so,” I grumble, just loud enough for him to hear, merely testing to see if he would reply. I smirk when he doesn’t. “Damn, Roe,” Sydero whispers to me, her hand idly traveling up my thigh, “you really know how to make a girl feel special.” I roll my eyes at her sarcastic tone, and once she realizes that I had caught on, she throws her head back and laughs. Her laugh causes me to smile, a refreshing sound, even if the thought alone just reminds me that I was a coward. I push the thought away; I could belittle myself with all of this later. This part of the area looked significantly different, a fact that I expected and yet still felt surprised over. It was far darker, lit up by only a few overhead candle chandeliers, but that didn’t take away from the grandness. The walls and floors looked to be made of marble, and portrait after portrait was hung along the walls. A fountain not so different from the one above was off to the side, but instead of glittering champagne, thick blood flowed down the edges. The large room split off into two different rooms, as well as a hallway that led to who knows where. “Bradley, do we have any info?” I question. “Rahim and Chris are currently in the auction room, surrounded by people, including two of the leaders who have taken an interest in them. The last time Zillah and Amari reported in was to tell me they think they found Adelard and was in pursuit. The cameras showed them walking down a hallway and entering a room, but there aren’t any cameras in the room.” <a data-passage="UHH23"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Give the woman privacy,” I shriek, putting myself in front of her so that none of them could see her. “Heathens.” “What’d you just call us?” one of the trolls question. “Heathens. H.E.A.T.H.E.N.S. Noun, derogatory. Meaning someone with a fucked up and outdated mindset.” Sydero leans in, “I don’t think that’s what it means.” “Damn, Syd, can you let me protect your virtue for at least a minute without you interrupting me?” She raises her hands in surrender as I set my attention back on the three fae-men. “Need me to use it in a sentence?” I question, but before they could answer or I could just go ahead and give them said sentence, Sydero yanks me inside. “FYI,” Bradley chimes in through the earpiece, “a heathen is someone who doesn’t belong to a popular religious group.” “Shut up, Bradley,” I growl, rolling my eyes as Sydero fights her fit of laughter. Her laugh causes me to smile, a refreshing sound, even if it the thought alone just reminds me that I was being a coward. I push the thought away; I could belittle myself with all of this later. This part of the area looked significantly different, a fact that I expected and yet still felt surprised over. It was far darker, lit up by only a few overhead candle chandeliers, but that didn’t take away from the grandness. The walls and floors looked to be made of marble, and portrait after portrait was hung along the walls. A fountain not so different from the one above was off to the side, but instead of glittering champagne, thick blood flowed down the edges. The large room split off into two different rooms, as well as a hallway that led to who knows where. “Bradley, do we have any info?” I question. “Rahim and Chris are currently in the auction room, surrounded by people, including two of the leaders who have taken an interest in them. The last time Zillah and Amari reported in was to tell me they think they found Adelard and was in pursuit. The cameras showed them walking down a hallway and entering a room, but there aren’t any cameras in the room.” <a data-passage="UHH23"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I sigh, more in weariness than frustration. As a reaper hybrid, one would think that my most used ability would be weapon materializing or siphoning energy from those dying, maybe even necromancy or even teleporting. But no, it was me using my death aura to ward off potential suitors. A tiring job, but one I suppose I have accepted. I summon the aura and allow it to grow, keeping it relatively contained so that it just affected the three trolls before us. I watch as they stiffen, and their eyes widen in confusion and shock. Sydero rolls her eyes and sighs dramatically but says nothing about it. The three trolls look my way, and I look back, boredom on my face as I wait to see what they do. They simply move out of the way, bowing their heads in an apologetic nature and letting us walk past. Once we were far enough away, Sydero pulls me closer, “why are you so damn over-dramatic?” “I didn’t do anything,” I lie, “those trolls just started acting weird out of nowhere.” “That little power is cute.” “Death aura is cute; I didn’t think I could ever feel so insulted. Thank you, Sydero. You make the impossible, possible.” She tries to hold it in but fails, allowing the laugh to spring free. The sound causes me to smile. It was quite refreshing, even if it the thought alone just reminds me that I was being a coward. I push the thought away; I could belittle myself with all of this later. This part of the area looked significantly different, a fact that I expected and yet still felt surprised over. It was far darker, lit up by only a few overhead candle chandeliers, but that didn’t take away from the grandness. The walls and floors looked to be made of marble, and portrait after portrait was hung along the walls. A fountain not so different from the one above was off to the side, but instead of glittering champagne, thick blood flowed down the edges. The large room split off into two different rooms, as well as a hallway that led to who knows where. “Bradley, do we have any info?” I question. “Rahim and Chris are currently in the auction room, surrounded by people, including two of the leaders who have taken an interest in them. The last time Zillah and Amari reported in was to tell me they think they found Adelard and was in pursuit. The cameras showed them walking down a hallway and entering a room, but there aren’t any cameras in the room.” <a data-passage="UHH23"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I choose to keep my thoughts on their actions to myself. Sydero was an attractive young woman, and though she was doing this more for me than them, who was I to throw a fit when she was doing it so openly. I wait patiently for them to clear us and then head on through with Sydero. This part of the area looked significantly different, a fact that I expected and yet still felt surprised over. It was far darker, lit up by only a few overhead candle chandeliers, but that didn’t take away from the grandness. The walls and floors looked to be made of marble, and portrait after portrait was hung along the walls. A fountain not so different from the one above was off to the side, but instead of glittering champagne, thick blood flowed down the edges. The large room split off into two different rooms, as well as a hallway that led to who knows where. “Bradley, do we have any info?” I question. “Rahim and Chris are currently in the auction room, surrounded by people, including two of the leaders who have taken an interest in them. The last time Zillah and Amari reported in was to tell me they think they found Adelard and was in pursuit. The cameras showed them walking down a hallway and entering a room, but there aren’t any cameras in the room.” <a data-passage="UHH23"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Can you show us to the room?” “I’ll lead you.” With Bradley directing us, we walk down the hallway that proves to be much longer than I had initially believed it to be. Several doors rest on both sides. Behind some of them originate sounds that I’m not acquainted with, and from what I could hear, I didn’t wish to be. “The next door on the right,” Bradley tells us, and we stop at the door in question. There’re no markings on it, nothing at all that made it stood out. Sydero jingles the knob, and it opens without resistance. Inside, there’s a few others, no one peering at us as if we didn’t belong. But it didn’t appear like the type of room one would just choose to spend their time in. Firstly, it was horribly cluttered with large boxes and storage compartments everywhere. A few chairs rest to the side where people were sitting and a few standing, and at the front, I see a woman behind a desk. “Roe,” Sydero says and then nods inconspicuously to a wall farther in the room. A short man with his back facing us seemed to be taking inventory, completely unbeknownst of his surroundings. If it wasn’t for being supernatural myself and knowing what fae smelled like, I wouldn’t have ever known. He looked like anyone else; in fact, compared to everyone else present, it was easy to overlook him. “That’s Adelard?” I question, already knowing the answer, “what do you think this room is for?” “Looks like it’s where people go to collect what they won in the auction. Makes sense that Adelard would be here.” [[“We should find Zillah and Amari first.”]] [[“How do we get him out of here?”][$focus +=1]]
“We should find Zillah and Amari before we do anything, make sure they’re okay.” “It’s Zillah and Amari,” she says with an eye-roll, “I’m sure they can take care of themselves.” “You’re right, but you seem to also forget that it’s Zillah and Amari, the two that get into the most trouble. And the two that entered and never seemed to have left this room.” “Roe, I want to be done with this. We found the guy so let’s bag him and wrap all of this up. If they needed us, they would’ve checked in by now to ask for assistance.” Without waiting for me to reply, she turns and walks towards Adelard. I follow with a sigh, hoping that what she said was true. “Sir. Sir!” Sydero starts, catching Adelard’s attention, “I purchased this amazing eye belonging to the infamous Bladenboro Beast, and I can’t find it anywhere. I want my eye. I paid good money for it.” “I don’t –,” he starts but I make sure to come in at that part. [[Play the angry customer who bought the same thing.]] [[Play the concerned lover.][$focus +=1]] [[Play the impatient ‘me first’ role.]]
“How do we get him out of here? I doubt he’ll just follow us out into the hallway.” Sydero stares ahead and then smiles. “You’re right, he won’t. But he will just follow us to the back, or lead us anyway.” Before I can question her, she starts walking towards Adelard, head high with a smile that seems almost alien on her face. A part of me feels like I should stay back, but I couldn’t deny my curiosity, that, and if Sydero needed me, I’d rather be by her side than across the room appearing lost. “Sir. Sir!” Sydero starts, catching Adelard’s attention, “I purchased this amazing eye belonging to the infamous Bladenboro Beast, and I can’t find it anywhere. I want my eye. I paid good money for it.” “I don’t –,” he starts but I make sure to come in at that part. [[Play the angry customer who bought the same thing.]] [[Play the concerned lover.][$focus +=1]] [[Play the impatient ‘me first’ role.]]
“Um, excuse me,” I interrupt, “did I hear you correctly? Did you say you bought the Bladenboro Beast Eye? You must be mistaken because I did.” “No, you didn't.” “Aren't the two of you together?” Adelard questions and I curse under my breath, not knowing if he had seen us together or not. Suppose I had my answer now. “We are,” I say in an attempt to save the situation, “which is what makes this even weirder. Babe, I told you that I was going to buy it for you.” Sydero's eyes grow in realization, and she looks appalled, “it was you? You were bidder number 438?” I blink in shock, mentally applauding her, “the Screamer from the North? That was you? How could you?” “No, don’t do that,” she growls, “you called me a stage whore.” “Well,” I shout, throwing my hands into the air, hoping to cause a scene, “apparently I wasn’t wrong. You showed your ass in there.” “Oh, I'll show you my ass.” “That’s not needed!” Adelard shouts, holding his clipboard close to his chest, “my nerves can’t handle this. Can we take this outside? I’m sure this is all a big misunderstanding.” A shy, anxiety-driven goblin, I suppose one learned something new every day. “Lead the way sir. I'm ready to put her in her place and show her that I won this one.” “Oh, please, you won shit.” The two of us continue to grumble and insult one another as Adelard leads us out of the room and further down the hall and to yet another inconspicuous door. <a data-passage="UHH24"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“I apologize; she’s so impatient. I told her to just wait in line like everyone else,” I explain, hoping to sound sincere when I was just using this moment to tease Sydero. “I’m far more important than that line. Look at me,” she snaps, her eye twitching as she appears to try and come up with something else to say, “yadda yadda, inserts Zillah quote here. Can you just show me to my shit already?” It takes everything within me not to laugh, “now, honey, your entitlement is showing again. We talked about this.” “I want my stuff now!” she screams, successfully causing everyone to look our way. “Okay, stop, please,” Adelard whines, seeming to disappear behind his clipboard, “I’ll help you. Just stop causing a scene.” “Now! I want it now!” Sydero continues, stomping her foot like some ignorant child. “She wants it now,” I say to him, “go, man. Go get it!” He practically darts out of the room, and we follow behind him, although at a slower pace. I take a moment to chuckle, “nice, Syd. Never knew you had it in you.” “I feel disgusting, like those people screaming at employees at stores,” she mumbles beside me. I chuckle, focusing back on Adelard, who leads us out of the room and further down the hall and to yet another inconspicuous door. <a data-passage="UHH24"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Excuse me, I have bigger issues,” I state, rolling my eyes as I focus on Adelard, “I’ve been waiting for the past twenty minutes to receive my item, and it has yet to be delivered to my hand. Do you think I paid millions of dollars to stand here?” Adelard looks between us, “aren’t the two of you together?” I curse under my breath, not knowing if he had seen us together or not. Suppose I had my answer now. “We are,” I state, trying to figure out what to say next. “Between you and me,” Sydero whispers to him, loud enough for me to hear, “?he’s impatient. In and out of bed.” “I am not! I’m the best lover.” “Fragile ego too.” “To think,” I huff, “I bought that stuff for you. Last time I buy anything for your ungrateful ass.” “Cute,” she says, getting louder to gain attention, “you probably bought it with //my// money.” “Your brother’s, actually,” I correct, unable to say anything more as Adelard stops us, waving his hands frantically to gain our attention. “I can clear this up for both of you. Just please stop causing a scene. My nerves can’t handle it.” A shy, anxiety-driven goblin, I suppose one learned something new every day. “Lead the way, sir. I can’t be away from this one quicker.” “Yea, you say that until you’re begging for me to –” Sydero starts, but Adelard gives her a frantic look that begs her to shut up. Though we quiet down, the two of us continue to grumble and insult one another as Adelard leads us out of the room and further down the hall and to yet another inconspicuous door. <a data-passage="UHH24"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I glance around, finding no cameras, though I suppose it mattered little. Fae didn’t show up on cameras, and Bradley had taken over. Any evidence of us here could easily be wiped. I glance down the hall to see no one there. I glance at the back of Adelard’s head before making eye contact with Sydero; she nods. As soon as we hear the click, she lurches towards the goblin, and I reach forward to open the door, allowing the two to fall within. I quickly close the door behind me, turning to see that Adelard’s glamour had dropped. His skin was now a moss-colored green, and his eyes were much wider without a sclera or pupil in sight, just a sea of darkness with a single white dot where the light of the room reflected off of it. His teeth had grown monstrous, a row of thorny and vicious fangs along with a long, black tongue, and his ears were now upturned. The tips almost seemed to curve in slightly before stopping. He hisses at us and, as if responding, I summon my scythe, focusing my energy into the curved blade. He growls in anger as Sydero releases her powers, lowering the weight of it onto him. The black mist at my feet grow, and with merely a snap, the fog turns into multiple misty tendrils that shoot towards him, grabbing him. I hear Sydero begin to chant something and watch as her crimson vapors join mine, producing a more than sinister aura that affects even me. I blink, trying to focus, telling myself not to fall prey to not only hers but also my own power. <a data-passage="UHH25"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<if $focus >=4>>\ “No!” he begins to shout, but before he can scream for assistance, our auras rip him apart. All that was left was a glowing ball of unstable energy, his soul. I summon the residual energy into my scythe, trapping it there until I release it. Which, who knows when that will be. “Ugh,” Sydero sighs dramatically, seeming to forget that she was wearing a dress … and heels, as she collapses to the floor, “we need to practice our whole combined auras move. Totally badass but definitely a fucking headache.” “You’re telling me,” I chuckle, dismissing my scythe, “I’m surprised you didn’t want to use your blades for this.” She shrugs, “I thought you wanted to play with that cute little scythe of yours.” “It’s not cute,” I mumble, “it’s a dangerous weapon that can hold a being’s soul. Far from cute.” “Adorable,” she answers, bursting into laughter. I lean up against the wall, thankful that the act itself was as simple as it was. He probably was unprepared, meaning we did an excellent job of blending in and making it seem as if we were just another intrigued supernatural couple. We sit in silence for a few minutes, neither of us speaking. <img src="images/divider1.png"> Sydero releases a sigh as she reins her powers back in, still quite a weird task for her. Once, it was never needed. In the past, she was always leaning too far left or right. Either she needed things like faerie essence to actually get her powers to even work, or she was so far demonic that it was a useless endeavor to try and keep her abilities in check. Balance, that word wasn’t really in her vocabulary until a year ago. Her eyes flicker over to Roe. She didn’t like the idea of having to rely on someone, or she didn’t //use to// like it. But Roe made it was almost impossible for her not to trust and lean on ?him for support. ?He made it so effortless, as effortless as breathing. <a data-passage="UHH27"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <<else>>\ It was hard enough focusing on controlling my own aura, added with Sydero’s, near impossible. It once again draped itself over me, an action that I believed was unintentional on her part but nevertheless distracting. I found the pressure pushing the thoughts of everything I have yet to say to her to the forefront of my mind. I attempt to push the feelings away to not disturb the hunt, but I was doing a shitty job at it. It was our aura’s, or at least hers, affecting me in more ways than I thought possible. “No!” Adelard whimpers and my focus slips more, “please, you don’t know what’s going on here. Why I’m even here. Do I look like I want to be here? Please, let me explain,” His pleads and tone cause me to pause. [[Hear him out.][$letgo = true]] [[It doesn’t matter, end this.]] <</if>>\
“Seriously?” I tease, “I didn’t even notice. You’re just that good.” “Ha, ha, ha,” she mimics and then rolls her eyes, “you’re a riot, Roe.” “Well, you got me now. The question is, what are you going to do with me?” She pushes me so that my back was to the wall, slowly grinding her hips against me. <<if $con gte $kink>>\ <<nobr>><<set $con to 10>><</nobr>> “I know how much you like it slow,” she answers, swiping her tongue against my earlobe before taking it into her mouth and sucking on it. She pulls back, and I bite my tongue to hold back a whimper. “All I need to know is if you want it or not.” <<else>>\ <<nobr>><<set $kink to 10>><</nobr>> “I have a few things in mind,” she answers, swiping her tongue against my earlobe before taking it into her mouth and sucking on it. She pulls back, and I bite my tongue to hold back a whimper. “All I need to know is if you want it or not.” <</if>>\ [[“I want it.”]] [[“We shouldn’t.” This will end the scene.]]
“Yea,” I chuckle, “you’re lucky there aren’t any kids around. Public indecency is a thing, Syd.” “Ha, ha, ha,” she mimics and then rolls her eyes, “you’re a riot, Roe.” “Well, you got me now. The question is, what are you going to do with me?” She pushes me so that my back was to the wall, slowly grinding her hips against me. <<if $con gte $kink>>\ <<nobr>><<set $con to 10>><</nobr>> “I know how much you like it slow,” she answers, swiping her tongue against my earlobe before taking it into her mouth and sucking on it. She pulls back, and I bite my tongue to hold back a whimper. “All I need to know is if you want it or not.” <<else>>\ <<nobr>><<set $kink to 10>><</nobr>> “I have a few things in mind,” she answers, swiping her tongue against my earlobe before taking it into her mouth and sucking on it. She pulls back, and I bite my tongue to hold back a whimper. “All I need to know is if you want it or not.” <</if>>\ [[“I want it.”]] [[“We shouldn’t.” This will end the scene.]]
A tingle shoots through me, one that I wasn’t too unfamiliar with. Sydero had a way of making me feel like the most desirable person in the world, no matter the circumstances. “What were you thinking?” I ask, already breathless. “How bad I wanted to slowly take this off of you,” she mumbles, trailing her kisses from my cheek to my neck. “Did you know that everyone was eyeing you, their desire so obvious that I almost felt insulted? At one point, I wanted to bend you over right there just to show everyone who you belonged to.” She pulls back and softly grabs my chin, her brow raised in question, “who are you?” “I’m yours,” I say confidently, moving forward to capture her lips, but she moves out of the way at the last second, a look advising me not to do that again in her eye. I immediately withdraw, knowing that look all too well. “What are you going to do with me?” She pushes me so that my back was to the wall, slowly grinding her hips against me. <<if $con gte $kink>>\ <<nobr>><<set $con to 10>><</nobr>> “I know how much you like it slow,” she answers, swiping her tongue against my earlobe before taking it into her mouth and sucking on it. She pulls back, and I bite my tongue to hold back a whimper. “All I need to know is if you want it or not.” <<else>>\ <<nobr>><<set $kink to 10>><</nobr>> “I have a few things in mind,” she answers, swiping her tongue against my earlobe before taking it into her mouth and sucking on it. She pulls back, and I bite my tongue to hold back a whimper. “All I need to know is if you want it or not.” <</if>>\ [[“I want it.”]] [[“We shouldn’t.” This will end the scene.]]
“I want it,” I tell her, “I want you.” <<if $con gte $kink>>\ She presses herself up against me, cradling my face as she kisses me gingerly. One of her hands lowering to my stomach <<if $outfit is "dress">>as she begins to work my dress up and over my head. She only pulls away from the kiss to remove the dress, tossing it to the side with little to no care.<<elseif $outfit is "suit">>as she begins to unbutton my suit jacket. She pulls it off of me before working my undershirt up and over my head. <<else>>as she begins to work my jumpsuit down, pulling it lower until it falls to my feet.<</if>> She brings me towards her, touching my body slowly as if venturing it for the first time, while her lips busy themselves with my neck. Her actions were considerably gentle, more so than usual, but I don’t dwell on it. “You’re so beautiful,” I whisper into her hair as I bring her closer, tangling my fingers through it and then combing it out. <a data-passage="C1"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <<else>>\ Sydero’s eyes flash with a brilliance that eludes to her want, and she pushes herself up against me, biting her lower lip as she searches my face. “Hmm, what to do with you, Roe,” Sydero questions, trailing her hand across my cheek and then my jaw, my heart thumping harder. I was as interested in hearing her idea as she was thinking it up, practically impatient in learning what she was going to do with me. She leans in and guides her tongue across my lip before exploring my mouth, twisting her hand through my hair and yanking it to the side roughly. “Undress for me.” Not waiting for a reply, she moves away from me and goes to sit on the arm of the couch, crossing her legs as she looks at me patiently. “Is this a game?” I question. It was a question that was more than needed when it came to Sydero. Not knowing could lead to something worse than a punishment. “Hmm, wouldn’t you like to know,” she hums thoughtfully, an answer that I’m not shocked to receive. I’ve had sex with Sydero so many times, and yet, I still could never predict her in these situations. Far more cautious than willing, I begin to do as she says, aware of her watching me eagerly. I peel the clothes off of me slowly, making sure to shiver and pant lightly as I trail my fingers across my skin. “Now, come here,” she directs me once I am fully unclothed. I approach her, and once I’m in front, she glances down at the ground and then back at me. I get to my knees, raising my head so that I could make eye contact with her. This was all going so despicably slow, but each passing minute was turning me on, my body hot with the desperation of wishing to learn about whatever she was going to do. <a data-passage="K1"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <</if>>\
“We shouldn’t,” I say, trying to expel the desire from my body, “we’re on a hunt, and we really need to focus. We can do this later on.” She says nothing as she takes a step back and fixes herself. She helps me out as well, still as quiet as before. At first, I believe she’s upset, but upon closer inspection, I see that she was more concerned with pushing the desire that had risen down. Her eyes had begun to shift, the first thing to always turn. An act that was harder for her than me. “Syd and $name?” I hear Bradley say through my earpiece. “Go ahead, Bradley.” “You two need to go ahead and move in. Are you two good? I haven’t heard from you guys in a while.” I glance over at Sydero, who tries to hide her smile. “We’re fine, Bradley. I was just ranting about how much I hate heels.” “Oh,” Bradley answers, and the two of us leave the room behind and walk back to the dance hall where the majority of everyone was. <a data-passage="UHH22"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<nobr>> <<audio "dance" fadeout>> <<audio "romance" loop volume 0 fadeto 0.40>> <</nobr>> <<if $showec>>\ She finally gets to her feet, bending down and <<if $sex is "p">>grasping my hard member in her hands. She swats at it, and I whimper as both pain and pleasure race through me, biting my lower lip as she slaps it a few more times and then abandons the task. <<else>>catching one of my nipples in her hand, twisting it harshly. I whimper as both pain and pleasure race through me, biting my lower lip as she turns it a few more times and then abandons the task.<</if>> She walks behind me, her hand heating my skin as she trails it across my chest to my shoulder and then to my back. “You probably have no idea how sexy you are when you present yourself like to me like this,” Sydero tells me, combing her fingers through my hair, her breath on my neck. I let out a low pant as she bites my shoulder, sucking on it soon after. “Sydero,” I growl, hissing in pain when her grip on my hair tightens, and she pulls my hair back. Her lips are on mine once again, kissing me with a franticness that causes my want to escalate further. The pain mixes with pleasure, confusing me about where one ends, and the other begins. “I didn’t ask you to speak,” she growls as she pulls back. She sits back on the arm of the sofa and parts her legs, moving her dress so that her pussy was in full view, “in fact, how about you put that mouth of yours to better use. Now.” I move forward at the command, taking her into my mouth with anticipation. She raises her hips to meet me, and I hum in thanks. I use one hand to spread her folds open, tasting her with long and deep strokes, sucking feverishly as I roughly play with her clit. She bucks against me, grinding her hips into my mouth. “Fuck! Roe!” A swell of pride courses through me as I continue on, burying myself further into her, making sure that I tasted every last bit of her. Making Sydero cum was an accomplishment like no other and my main goal right then. Her breathing becomes more rapid, and I can feel her legs start to shiver. I was sure that I had done it, that she was about to come right then and there. But then she pulls back. I let out a whimper of shock, and she snickers as she gazes down at me. <a data-passage="K2"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <<else>>\ She finally gets to her feet, bending down and catching one of my nipples in her hand, twisting it harshly. I whimper as both pain and pleasure race through me, biting my lower lip as she turns it a few more times and then abandons the task. She walks behind me, her hand heating my skin as she trails it across my chest to my shoulder and then to my back. “You probably have no idea how sexy you are when you present yourself like to me like this,” Sydero tells me, combing her fingers through my hair, her breath on my neck. I let out a low pant as she bites my shoulder, sucking on it soon after. “Sydero,” I growl, hissing in pain when her grip on my hair tightens, and she pulls my hair back. Her lips are on mine once again, kissing me with a franticness that causes my want to escalate further. The pain mixes with pleasure, confusing me about where one ends, and the other begins. “I didn’t ask you to speak,” she growls as she pulls back. She sits back on the arm of the sofa and parts her legs, moving her dress so that I got an eyeful of her womanhood, “in fact, how about you put that mouth of yours to better use. Now.” I move forward at the command, doing exactly as she asks, pleasuring her as best as I could. <a data-passage="K3"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <</if>>\
“Not yet, Roe,” she purrs, “I want you far more than my own orgasm. On your back now,” she orders, and I do as she asks, interested to see where this goes. She disappears from view, somewhere behind me, but I dare not move to see where she had gone. A few seconds later and she returns, binding my wrists tightly. I move them, curious to know if I could escape, probably with a lot of time, dedication, and an unreasonable amount of chafing. <<if $sex is "p">>\ With a broad smile, she straddles my lap and licks her lips, placing kisses and bites along my chest. Her hand begins to toy with my erection, stroking it as she continues to leave a trail of fiery kisses along my chest, lowering herself so that her breath was right against my length. I watch as she perks her ass in the air hovering over me. “Are you imagining me riding your dick right now, taking all of you in?” she questions, and I bite my lip as I watch her intently. “Do you want me to ride you?” She teases me by lowering herself just enough so that my tip rubs against her lips. “Fuck, Sydero, please,” I moan loudly, gasping when she lowers herself, and I enter her. I fight against my bindings, wishing to touch her, to dig my nails into her waist and direct her. “Shit,” she purrs into my ear, gasping in need that makes the pleasure increase tenfold. She felt so good, and I was digging myself into a deeper hole when I gaze down and see her expanding as she took more and more of me in. She rotates her hips in a circle, and I grit my teeth, bucking, and raising my hips to try and quicken her pace. She slaps my chest, and I stop my efforts with a whimper, apologizing underneath my breath. So much want was coursing through me, and I could not do anything, lest I wanted the chances of her stopping. Her lust settles around me, teasing me and telling me to fight to free myself. It whispers in my ear as it pulls me deeper into darkness. “You want me to ride your cock, Roe? Want me to stop teasing you and give you all of me?” “Yes, Sydero, please. Fuck, make me cum, please.” “You think you deserve it?” she asks, using her hand to stroke her clit, causing me to clench my eyes closed at the sight. She leans forward and bites my bottom lip, this new angle forcing her to take all of me in, her hips grinding right along my base. <<else>>\ With a broad smile, she presses her fingers up against my slit, rubbing and stimulating my bud before teasing my entrance. She licks her lips, placing kisses and nips along my chest as I ride her hand, begging with my whines for her to enter. She positions her finger at my entrance, tapping it as if in thought. “This’ll be the last time I go anywhere without my strap,” she tells me, biting my bottom lip harshly. “I’m punishing you next time you let me forget.” “Hmm,” I hum, “I will never let you.” “Good<<if $gender is "male">> boy.<<elseif $gender is "female">> girl.<<else>>.<</if>> What do you think I should let you do then? Since I can’t enter you?” she questions, nipping at my ear. “Scissor me,” I say, biting my lip, wishing to reach out and touch her, to feel how wet she was. “Aw, do you want to touch me, Roe?” she asks in mock sadness, “want to see how wet I am for you?” “Please,” I whimper. She shifts, shocking me when her mouth lowers itself onto my pussy, her tongue going straight to work. She holds my thighs, slapping them occasionally as I try to find any kind of support. Her mouth was causing me to feel like I was on a trip straight to heaven, her tongue working its way in and out of me like this was her primary purpose in life. <</if>>\ <a data-passage="K2.2"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Fuck! Roe!” A swell of pride courses through me as I continue on, burying myself further into her. Making Sydero reach her peak was an accomplishment like no other and my main goal right then. Her breathing becomes more rapid, and I can feel her legs start to shiver. I was sure that I had done it, that she was about to hit her release right then and there. But then she pulls back. I let out a whimper of shock, and she snickers as she gazes down at me. “Not yet, Roe,” she purrs, “I want you far more than my own orgasm. On your back now,” she orders, and I do as she asks, interested to see where this goes. She straddles me, taking me farther and farther as she gives me what I want. It was almost as if she could read my body, a feat that I wouldn’t be surprised if true. Her powers grip me, wave after wave of pleasure, each one threatening to take me deeper and deeper beneath the waves. I felt so much like a person drowning at sea, desperate for a lifeline. But for each lifeline that was sent my way, I refused it as if thinking that something better would come. The action repeating until one had to wonder, did they simply like the feeling of drowning? I did, and as I reach my peak, shivering underneath her, I realized that I would never tire of it. <a data-passage="K4"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<if $sex is "p">>\ “Shit,” I repeat as she continues to kiss me harshly, bouncing up and down, quickening her pace. “Syd!” I say, arching my back feeling the pressure build. “Damn, do I love your cock,” she groans, biting my neck, “it’s fucking perfect.” I can feel my release coming, and obviously, so does Syd. “Not until I say,” she tells me, slapping my chest harshly. I close my eyes and focus on containing myself, whimpering as her pace doesn’t stop. “Hold it,” she laughs, slapping my stomach again, harder and harder. I grit my teeth each time, eager to see the marks that she would leave against me, the love bites, and the bruises. Each and every one proving that I was hers. She rises just enough to be able to clasp my shaft in her hand, pumping me repeatedly as her folds still tease the tip of my dick. “When I say come,” she tells me, and I await the words, everything in me waiting to be released. “When I say it, I want you to surge into me,” she purrs, “give me your entire load.” I whimper, trying not to think of her words, holding it in the best I could. “Come.” My body explodes at the same time that her lust powers claim me. I shout, thrusting into her as she pushes herself against me. I feel my cum explode around my member, glimpsing to see it pour out of her and dribble down her thighs. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I growl, my entire body shaking profusely. The darkness begins to clear up but not by much, still claiming me. <<else>>\ “Fuck!” I scream out, unable to keep it in as my legs shake profusely, “please, Sydero.” I beg, whimpering in need as she slaps my leg and presses deeper into me, spitting to lube me up some more before going even deeper, slurping and curling her tongue. She places kisses and sucks in, my head hitting the floor softly again and again as I try to control the desire pounding through me. My mouth opens, but no words nor sound make it past my parted lips. My head falls to the side, feeling like I was about to come right there. “Don’t you dare,” she says, hitting my bare ass and causing me to whimper in pain, “not until I say, Roe.” She repositions so that we could rub against each other, and I immediately do so, not waiting for her as I move against her slit, gasping as pleasure collides into me. Our hips meet as we use each other as friction, my actions far more frantic than hers. Every slide has me throwing my head back in ecstasy, her lust warming each and every part of me. Sweat dribbles down my face as we push harder against each other, her grunts making me pick up my pace, her slaps against my flesh making me gasp. “Fuck!” Sydero screams, a victory in itself due to Sydero being a silent lover mostly, “cum when you want. Fuck, Roe.” That was all she had to say, I immediately cum right then and there, and she pulls me closer to her body as she continues to stimulate both of us, my high rising and rising. “Shit,” she purrs into my ear as she spasms on top of me, our legs vibrating against one another. “You have no fucking right to feel that good,” she growls, truly sounding upset. “Fuck!” “You’re the one to talk,” I manage to say, my body still shaking. Even as I try to control myself, I fail. The darkness caused by her powers begins to clear up but not by much, still claiming me. <</if>>\ <a data-passage="K4"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<nobr>> <<audio "dance" fadeout>> <<audio "romance" loop volume 0 fadeto 0.40>> <</nobr>> <<if $sex is "p">>\ Her hand works its way down to my erect member, massaging it through my underwear before freeing my cock and grabbing my shaft. She pumps it slowly, and I hum in pleasure as I feel her breath at my tip, my own breathing picking up in anticipation. She trails her tongue along my head before parting her lips and taking my tip into her mouth. My hand itch to tangle themselves into her hair, but I refrain, remembering that even though she was on her knees, she was still in control. As she begins to work her hand against my member, she takes more and more of me into her mouth, her eyes rising to meet mine. I curse, throwing my head back as my breathing becomes heavier. I curse when I feel my tip hit the back of my throat, my leg starting to shake as my release was coming, wanting nothing more than to release myself in her mouth and watch as she licks up every last bit of my seed. “Sydero,” I growl, “I’m close.” “Not yet,” she tells me, removing her mouth with a satisfying plop that has me whimpering, yearning to feel her warm mouth around me again. She rises, yanking me away from the wall and placing her back against it before pulling me back towards her. <a data-passage="C3"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <<elseif $sex is "v">>\ Her hand works its way down to my slit, massaging it through my underwear before ushering them to the side, inserting her fingers. I moan in pleasure as she works her fingers in and out. Two become three and soon become four. “Shit, Sydero. That feels so good,” I start, but the words end up dying on my lips as she moves them in and out at a faster pace. My legs get weak, but she supports me, using her powers to keep me upright as she increases her speed. Finally, she pulls her fingers out, maintaining eye contact as she licks and sucks every finger clean. “You are so fucking lucky I don’t have my strap,” she growls into my ear once done, helping me over to the couch. “I would fuck you so hard right now, Roe, damn me going slow.” She lays me down and straddles my lap, licking her lips as she kisses a trail down my stomach and then stopping at my core. <a data-passage="C2"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <<else>>\ “Get on your back,” she tells me, and I do as she asks. She straddles me, taking me farther and farther as she gives me what I want. It was almost as if she could read my body, a feat that I wouldn’t be surprised if true. Her powers grip me, wave after wave of pleasure, each one threatening to take me deeper and deeper beneath the waves. I felt so much like a person drowning at sea, desperate for a lifeline. But for each lifeline that was sent my way, I refused it as if thinking that something better would come. The action repeating until one had to wonder, did they simply like the feeling of drowning? I did, and as I reach my peak, shivering underneath her, I realized that I would never tire of it. <a data-passage="C3"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <</if>>\
The feelings soon begin to shift into something much warmer and subtle. Sydero lays against me, planting soft kisses over my body as she massages my scalp. I hum in pleasure, getting lost in her touch. “Such a great sub,” she praises, “always fucking me in just the right way. Are you pleased?” “Yes,” I say, not even having to think of the words as they make it past my lips. She was intoxicating, and the idea of her was like a drunken experience. Against my better judgment, my heart feels like it’s ready to explode as if it wanted to go down the most cliché path and become emotional after sex. Fuck, I just wanted to tell her how much she meant to me. How much I craved and adored her … how much I loved her. As if the universe knew exactly what I was about to do, a voice comes alive in my ear. “Syd and $name, move in now,” Bradley says before his voice disappears, causing both of us to sigh. “Uh,” Sydero starts, glancing around, “you don’t think there’s a camera in here, do you?” I pause at what she was insinuating and the two of us check every corner for said camera. Believing that we were safe, we both get dressed and head back out into the fray. I glance around, seeing none of the others as well as nothing out of the ordinary. It all seemed like the very same thing we left behind. <a data-passage="UHH22"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<if $sex is "p">>\ “I want you to fill me up with your seed,” she whispers into my ear, wrapping her leg around me. I catch her leg, grabbing the other to support her and boost her up. She guides my cock to her opening, and we both gasp as I slide in. She then tilts her head back, biting her lower lip as I begin to work in and out, gradually picking up my pace. “Come on,” Roe,” she groans, “I know you can fuck me harder than that.” I tighten my grip around her legs and begin to pump harder, putting all my strength into my thrusts. I feel her powers increase, blanketing me in that warm and familiar darkness. I can feel my release coming back to me once again. “Shit, Syd!” I shout, grinding my teeth as I continue to work in and out of her, eyeing the area where my dick disappears inside of her. And then I feel her clench around me, her orgasm coming, and I release at the same time. “Fuck Roe, cum inside me.” I curse yet again, my entire body shaking in a combination of her words, her abilities, and just the pleasure that rockets through me. I bury my dick deep and release, moaning her name as I do so. I pull back, surprised to find that she’s able to stand on her own, but my attention is on the cum that trickles its way out her pussy and down her leg. <<else>>\ “You gonna let me really taste you?” she questions, and I nod vigorously, “be <<if $gender is "male">>a good boy<<elseif $gender is "female">> a good girl<<else>>good<</if>> and put your legs on my shoulders.” I do exactly as she says, feeling her breath up against my wetness. She hasn’t even begun to eat me out, and my legs were already shaking, waiting for what they knew was to come. Her abilities lower themselves over me as soon as her mouth meets my core. With experience, she guides her tongue over me, trailing it through my folds and around my bud. I shiver as she sucks, my body pressing into the couch as my hips rise to meet her mouth. “Fuck! Sydero!” I moan loudly, gasping when she slaps my thigh. “Oh, I’m going to cum,” I tell her. “Syd, Syd,” I repeat numerous times, not being able to help myself when I do finally come. Syd not even stopping to pause as she begins the job of cleaning me up, licking up all my juices with her tongue. <</if>>\ <a data-passage="C3"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
We collapse together, laying there for a minute as we both recover our breath. The desire soon begins to shift into something much warmer and subtle. Sydero lays against me, planting soft kisses over my body as she massages my scalp. I hum in pleasure, getting lost in her touch. She was intoxicating, and the idea of her was like a drunken experience. Against my better judgment, my heart feels like it’s ready to explode as if it wanted to go down the most cliché path and become emotional after sex. Fuck, I just wanted to tell her how much she meant to me. How much I craved and adored her … how much I loved her. As if the universe knew exactly what I was about to do, a voice comes alive in my ear. “Syd and $name, move in now,” Bradley says before his voice disappears, causing both of us to sigh. “Uh,” Sydero starts, glancing around, “you don’t think there’s a camera in here, do you?” I pause at what she was insinuating and the two of us check every corner for said camera. Believing that we were safe, we both get dressed and head back out into the fray. I glance around, seeing none of the others as well as nothing out of the ordinary. It all seemed like the very same thing we left behind. <a data-passage="UHH22"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
But she knew that something was bothering ?him. The feeling would come and go, but she felt the sadness deepen with ?him each time it came. She had waited for ?him to say something, but it was starting to seem like ?he never would, meaning she would have to ask. The familiar feeling of dread took hold of her and reminded her of all the possible routes that action could take her. What if their time was coming to an end? Once, she imagined no one at her side. Now, she couldn’t imagine ?him not there. She couldn’t see herself being the same if that was to happen. <img src="images/divider2.png"> “We need to tell Bradley we got him. I want to get out of here,” Sydero speaks, seemingly out of the blue and pulling me from my own thoughts. She avoids eye contact with me as she gets to her feet, straightening her dress out. “Bradley, we got him,” I say, both of us leaving the room behind and walking back down the hallway. “Guys, mission accomplished,” Bradley repeats. A few minutes later, everyone joins us in the central area that we first walked into. Chris looks pleased, Rahim tired, and Zillah and Amari bored out of their mind. [[“Are you alright, Rahim?”]] [[“Where have you two been?”]] [[“Chris, what’s with that look?”]]
“Are you alright, Rahim?” I ask, and he throws me a look that states I should be able to answer my own question. “I want to go home and forget that people this ignorant exist. If we can wrap this up, it would be appreciated.” “I really want to see you work a customer service job,” Chris chuckles, “it’ll make my week.” “Alright, guys,” Bradley says over the headset, “I just contacted the Order, and they want us to get out of here. They made sure to tell me to leave everything as is and just leave. Also something about good job but they grumbled that part.” “This wasn’t as fun as I thought it be,” Amari sighs sadly<<if $wrecker>>. And I notice Sydero perk up, gazing over at her in thought. “At<<else>>, “at<</if>> least I got a pretty dress out of it.” “You’re welcome,” Rahim butts in, his face empty of emotion, “now if you all will please make your way towards the exit. I just really want to get paid and fall in my bed.” <<if $wrecker>>\ “Wait,” Sydero grins, “I have an idea. She presses her earpiece, “Bradley, you got everything you need from those accounts, right?” “Yea. Why?” Rahim glances at me, and I shrug. Not even I knew what she was thinking. “Because after this, I’m pretty sure that’s how we’re getting paid.” She turns her attention to Zillah and Amari, “you two ready to have some fun?” <a data-passage="UHH28"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <<else>>\ We follow Rahim out of the gala, walking past the numerous patrons still around partying, utterly unaware of what happened downstairs. Though, I suppose everyone but Adelard was unaware of what transpired. Would they even care? Would they care that someone had died or would they simple speculate and find it as a fun pasttime? I choose not to think about which one is more probable. Once outside, Rahim calls for the car as Zillah and Amari wait for Bradley to drive up. I stand beside Sydero, still in my own head, when her voice brings me out of it. <a data-passage="UHH29"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <</if>>\
“Where have you two been?” I ask Zillah and Amari. Amari nudges Zillah harshly, and he rolls his eyes. “We tried to get closer to Adelard but ended up in this big mess-up about who bought what and when and, I don’t want to talk about it,” he growls, crossing his arms over his chest and glancing away with a pout. “Alright, guys,” Bradley says over the headset, “I just contacted the Order, and they want us to get out of here. They made sure to tell me to leave everything as is and just leave. Also something about good job but they grumbled that part.” “This wasn’t as fun as I thought it be,” Amari sighs sadly<<if $wrecker>>. And I notice Sydero perk up, gazing over at her in thought. “At<<else>>, “at<</if>> least I got a pretty dress out of it.” “You’re welcome,” Rahim butts in, his face empty of emotion, “now if you all will please make your way towards the exit. I just really want to get paid and fall in my bed.” <<if $wrecker>>\ “Wait,” Sydero grins, “I have an idea. She presses her earpiece, “Bradley, you got everything you need from those accounts, right?” “Yea. Why?” Rahim glances at me, and I shrug. Not even I knew what she was thinking. “Because after this, I’m pretty sure that’s how we’re getting paid.” She turns her attention to Zillah and Amari, “you two ready to have some fun?” <a data-passage="UHH28"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <<else>>\ We follow Rahim out of the gala, walking past the numerous patrons still around partying, utterly unaware of what happened downstairs. Though, I suppose everyone but Adelard was unaware of what transpired. Would they even care? Would they care that someone had died or would they simple speculate and find it as a fun pasttime? I choose not to think about which one is more probable. Once outside, Rahim calls for the car as Zillah and Amari wait for Bradley to drive up. I stand beside Sydero, still in my own head, when her voice brings me out of it. <a data-passage="UHH29"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <</if>>\
“Chris, what’s with that look? You look far too pleased for a human surrounded by supernatural creatures.” <<if $cr>>\ “I do, don’t I?” he laughs and then straightens his lapels with a smirk, “let’s just say I made everyone in that auction room my bitch. Didn’t I, babe?” “Nope,” Rahim says plainly, ignoring the exhausted look that Chris gives him. <<else>>\ “I do, don’t I?” he laughs and then straightens his lapels with a smirk, “let’s just say I made everyone in that auction room my bitch. I truly became the Rat King.” We all frown at his words, and Rahim gives us an understanding look. “So, it sounds weird as hell to you guys as well? Good, I thought I was alone in that.” <</if>>\ “Alright, guys,” Bradley says over the headset, “I just contacted the Order, and they want us to get out of here. They made sure to tell me to leave everything as is and just leave. Also something about good job but they grumbled that part.” “This wasn’t as fun as I thought it be,” Amari sighs sadly<<if $wrecker>>. And I notice Sydero perk up, gazing over at her in thought. “At<<else>>, “at<</if>> least I got a pretty dress out of it.” “You’re welcome,” Rahim butts in, his face empty of emotion, “now if you all will please make your way towards the exit. I just really want to get paid and fall in my bed.” <<if $wrecker>>\ “Wait,” Sydero grins, “I have an idea. She presses her earpiece, “Bradley, you got everything you need from those accounts, right?” “Yea. Why?” Rahim glances at me, and I shrug. Not even I knew what she was thinking. “Because after this, I’m pretty sure that’s how we’re getting paid.” She turns her attention to Zillah and Amari, “you two ready to have some fun?” <a data-passage="UHH28"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <<else>>\ We follow Rahim out of the gala, walking past the numerous patrons still around partying, utterly unaware of what happened downstairs. Though, I suppose everyone but Adelard was unaware of what transpired. Would they even care? Would they care that someone had died or would they simple speculate and find it as a fun pasttime? I choose not to think about which one is more probable. Once outside, Rahim calls for the car as Zillah and Amari wait for Bradley to drive up. I stand beside Sydero, still in my own head, when her voice brings me out of it. <a data-passage="UHH29"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <</if>>\
<img src="images/divider2.png"> Ten minutes later and I find myself standing beside Chris, cocking my head to the side as he unwinds the cord for the microphone. “Alright, you ready?” Chris asks me. “No, and I told you already that I don’t know how to play drums.” “Just improvise; the crowd is waiting to hear us.” That causes me to raise a doubtful brow as the majority of the crowd was indeed running for their lives and making a fast getaway. I couldn’t really blame them, with Zillah swinging from pillar to pillar, slamming into people as he tried to get the hang of fabric dancing. Then Amari chasing after the exotic animals she freed, and Sydero throwing food that was lit on fire. Yea, I couldn’t blame them at all. “Ugh, there goes the champagne fountain,” I remark, watching as it topples over and chatters. “The damn thing was atrocious anyway,” Rahim sighs, raising his own glass of champagne and taking a sip; about ten more filled glasses rest on the table beside him. Chris claps and rubs his hand together, “you ready?” “How many times –,” I start, unable to finish as Chris starts belting out some kind of rock song. Rahim gazes over at me, and I sigh. [[Might as well play.]] [[“I’ll have one of those drinks now.”]]
I shrug. What the heck, why not? I start drumming like I knew what I was doing. Attempting to picture myself like one of the rock stars from the golden days, bobbing my head as the crowd cheers on. Only, this crowd was screaming and whatever I was doing was the last thing I was doing was playing good music. Chris sings off-key, and I play like a tone-deaf child. I can’t keep in my laughter as I go, staring out at the chaos with a wide smile. Yea, this would definitely be the last time the Order of Vendikai asked us to do anything for them. //They should’ve known//, I smirk as I come to an end, throwing my drumsticks into the crowd and hitting someone. “Wooo!” Chris screams, “thank you, Fucked Up Charity Gala, and goodnight!” He turns to me, cracking up, “great job, $name. Neil Peart would be proud!” “Why haven’t we made a band yet?” I ask in mock bewilderment. <<if $cr>>\ “Because I’d break up with him if he dared,” Rahim snarls, tossing his head back, before clumsily grabbing another drink. “Babe, are you drunk?” Chris questions, brow raised as we both stare on in shock. <<else>>\ “Because I would kick you out of //my// house if you did,” Rahim chimes in, tossing his head back, before clumsily grabbing another drink. “Say it ain’t so?” Chris begins, “are you drunk?” <</if>>\ “No. I’m Rahim.” Chris and I exchange a glance, and we throw our heads back in laughter. I’m aware that we look like two characters from some awful comedic movie about the world ending, falling over each other laughing as the area around them was literally on fire. And yet, it went well with our group’s MO. We come, we fuck shit up, we leave. <a data-passage="UHH28.1"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Rahim,” I question, letting Chris go ahead and play without me, “you mind sharing one of those?” He passes one my way, and we clink glasses, watching as the passersby flee and listening to Chris sing. Ironically, he sounded more like he was dying, although we all knew he had a decent singing voice. I can’t keep in my laughter as I staring out at the chaos. Yea, this would definitely be the last time the Order of Vendikai asked us to do anything for them. //They should’ve known//, I smirk as I throw back the rest of the liquid. “Wooo!” Chris screams, “thank you, Fucked Up Charity Gala, and goodnight!” He joins us, “I should definitely take my talents on the road.” <<if $cr>>\ “Because I’d break up with him if he dared,” Rahim snarls, tossing his head back, before clumsily grabbing another drink. “You know, I want to take you seriously, but I think you’re drunk. Babe, are you drunk?” Chris questions, trying to hold his laughter in. Even I raise a brow, wondering how many drinks he’s had before this. <<else>>\ “Because I would kick you out of //my// house if you did,” Rahim chimes in, tossing his head back, before clumsily grabbing another drink. “Say it ain’t so?” Chris begins, “are you drunk?” <</if>>\ “No. I’m Rahim.” Chris and I exchange a glance, and we throw our heads back in laughter. I’m aware that we look like two characters from some awful comedic movie about the world ending, falling over each other laughing as the area around them was literally on fire. And yet, it went well with our group’s MO. We come, we fuck shit up, we leave. <a data-passage="UHH28.1"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<nobr>> <<audio "gala" fadeout>> <<audio "theme" loop volume 0 fadeto 0.40>> <</nobr>> “I’ll see you guys back home,” Sydero yawns, throwing her hand up as she begins to walk towards where she had parked her bike. I watch her go when someone nudges me. I look back to see $bf gazing at me, nodding to her, and then pushing me. “Go.” “Stop, we talked about –,” I start but <<if $bf is "Zillah" or $bf is "Rahim" or $bf is "Chris">>he<<else>>she<</if>> doesn’t seem to care for what I have to say. “Go, now. What’s the worse that can happen?” Five possible scenarios pop in my head, and I have a hard time choosing which was worse out of them. But, <<if $bf is "Zillah" or $bf is "Rahim" or $bf is "Chris">>he<<else>>she<</if>> was also right. If I didn’t do it now, then who knows when? I would always make up an excuse; there would always be something holding me back. I release a shaky sigh and square my shoulders, making my way after her. When I finally catch up, she’s already at her bike. “What’s up?” she questions upon seeing me, “ready to say whatever’s been on your mind all day? No, wait, all week.” “What?” I question. I wasn’t surprised that she noticed. I had even realized earlier that she had. But it was something else to hear her finally speak about it. <a data-passage="UHH30"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“You’ve been acting off all day, Roe. So, just go ahead and get whatever it is off your chest.” All the bravery I felt before walking over here suddenly seems to dissipate. I felt more like a cornered mouse, attempting to talk its way out of being dinner with a starving cat. Was this truly wise? Could I not just push all those thoughts down and go on with what we had? What if this did mess up everything? If right now, at the end of this day, that was it? There was no more Sydero and me? The thought causes me to shiver, and though I don’t realize it, I shake my head. “Roe, just tell me, damn.” “Drop it.” “No. What’s so bad that you just can’t say it? Why not just tell me?” “Because you don’t want to hear it!” I shout back, and the dam breaks and everything comes out, “it makes no sense how much I love you, how much you make my day. I would be perfectly content with spending the rest of my mornings waking up in your arms and going to asleep with my head on your chest. You … it’s always been you. But like I said,” I sigh sadly, “you don’t want to hear that.” My heart twitches as Sydero rests her hand on my cheek, “you’re right. I don’t, but it has shit to do with you and everything to do with me. I know you never will fully understand, but love is toxic to me and even when I tell myself that it can change, that love can be something else to me, it disgusts me. The thought of romance makes me cringe and want to run. Talking about it makes me shiver in all the wrong ways and makes me want to vomit.” She pulls back her hand as if she was just burned, “I swear there’s something wrong with me, I just know it.” [[“No, you just see love differently.”]] [[“Sydero, you do know that’s not love.”]] [[“Well, you do that weird thing in your sleep.”]] [[“Don’t ever think that.”]]
I reach out and grab her hand and place a light kiss there, “no, you just see love differently. It’s the same as someone who falls in love quickly versus someone who has to go through years of knowing someone to devote themselves. Or even someone attracted to just certain things versus turned off by sex.” Her frown deepens, and I rest my forehead against hers, breathing in, “and it’s fine. I didn’t know. I knew that your feelings on love were different, but I didn’t know it went that deep. It’s trauma from your childhood; has it ever gotten better?” She sighs and shakes her head, “unfortunately no. I think it’s done its job already. I say that love is supposed to be something good and that my own experiences don’t change that, and I end up just laughing at myself. No matter how many times I say the opposite, at the end of the day, love is a horrible thing. It’s a negative emotion. It’s like growing up and being told certain words had certain meanings only to learn that most people think differently. Doesn’t matter though; those words are still the same to you.” <a data-passage="End"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Sydero,” I sigh, “you do know that’s not love. What happened to you wasn’t love at all.” “Oh, really, Roe? I would’ve never guessed,” she growls, a flash of anger appearing in her eyes before she relaxes. “You don’t think I know that? I say that love is supposed to be something good and that my own experiences don’t change that, and I end up just laughing at myself. No matter how many times I say the opposite, at the end of the day, love is a horrible thing. It’s a negative emotion. It’s a word that means controlling and toxic to me. It doesn’t help that I just don’t seem to like the idea of romance, that certain actions just disgust me.” She sighs and shakes her head, “unfortunately no. I think it’s done its job already. I say that love is supposed to be something good and that my own experiences don’t change that, and I end up just laughing at myself. No matter how many times I say the opposite, at the end of the day, love is a horrible thing. It’s a negative emotion. It’s like growing up and being told certain words had certain meanings only to learn that most people think differently. Doesn’t matter though; those words are still the same to you.” <a data-passage="End"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Well,” I sing, “you do kinda do that weird thing in your sleep that sounds like you’re growling.” “I do not!” “You totally do,” I smile, grabbing her hand and bringing her close, “but I don’t think anything is wrong with you. Your view on romance and love is different, that’s all. I knew that from the beginning. And at least you’re able to put it in words now. It’s trauma from your childhood; has it ever gotten better?” She sighs and shakes her head, “unfortunately no. I think it’s done its job already. I say that love is supposed to be something good and that my own experiences don’t change that, and I end up just laughing at myself. No matter how many times I say the opposite, at the end of the day, love is a horrible thing. It’s a negative emotion. It’s like growing up and being told certain words had certain meanings only to learn that most people think differently. Doesn’t matter though; those words are still the same to you.” <a data-passage="End"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Hey,” I begin and attempt to grab hold of her face, but she fights me, moving out of my grip. Typically, I’d let her go. Understanding that she needed her space. But not this time, not when she dared to say such words. I grab her and pull her back to me, bringing her into a tight hug that I refuse to release her from. “There’s nothing wrong with you. Don’t you ever think that,” I mumble against her hair. “You might have different outlooks on love, and different experiences and things that shaped you differently, but never think that there’s something wrong with you. You’re beautiful and amazing, and I adore you just the way you are. I wouldn’t change anything at all. Nothing.” “Ugh, stop talking,” she grumbles, smiling widely, “it’s disgusting.” I chuckle before asking, “the trauma from your childhood; has it ever gotten better?” She sighs and shakes her head, “unfortunately no. I think it’s done its job already. I say that love is supposed to be something good and that my own experiences don’t change that, and I end up just laughing at myself. No matter how many times I say the opposite, at the end of the day, love is a horrible thing. It’s a negative emotion. It’s like growing up and being told certain words had certain meanings only to learn that most people think differently. Doesn’t matter though; those words are still the same to you.” <a data-passage="End"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
She tosses her motorcycle helmet from one hand to the other, frowning and appearing deep in thought, “I can say I love you all day if that’s what you want.” Her eyes rise to meet mine; the brilliant amber so raw that it reminded me of an untouched gem. “But, I will never believe those words. I will always believe that I’m lying. I don’t trust my words, not like others anyway. But,” she says and cradles the side of my face, her nose brushing mine. “I trust my actions. And I will, from this day to the last, always show you how much you mean to me through them.” To bolster the words she had just spoken, she leans in and kisses me. As soon as her lips touch mine, my heart explodes with emotion. There was no want, no need, no sexual feeling whatsoever taking over. There was only admiration and joy. A feeling so pure and genuine that if I ever did doubt, I could doubt no more. Her lips move against mine at a gradual pace that proved she was taking her time, putting all that she could behind the action. With only the moon watching over us, I knew what I was to her. I knew how she felt. Right then and there, with the two of us tangled in each other’s arms. I knew she loved me more than anything. I was her world, and she was mine. [img[images/title.png][Setup]]
I begin to lower my aura, raising a brow in curiosity, “what do you mean?” “Roe,” Sydero says, recapturing my attention, “we are not letting him go.” “We don’t know the entire story. We can at least hear him out.” “What is with you and always needing to read between the lines? We’re on a hunt. He’s the prey. It’s that black and white.” “No,” I say, shaking my head, “we both know that’s not true.” “Don’t say we,” she groans, “you. I do what needs to be done. “Because someone pointed to it and said kill for money?” “Let’s not act like I haven’t killed for less. Where or when did you forget that he helped this little troupe organize the selling of supernaturals? The smuggling, fine, whatever. But did you just conveniently forget that he’s as much a part of this as everyone else?” “No,” I groan, “but how about we hear him out first?” I glance back towards Adelard, and my eyes widen; he had vanished. “That little,” Sydero begins before pressing her earpiece to speak to Bradley. I frown. Who knows how long he’s been gone. He had wisely left enough of his essence behind to make it seem that he was still in the room with us, enough to trick us and give us a false sense of security. “He’s fae. What did you expect?” She questions, her gaze cutting to me, but she still leaves out my part in this. “We lost him, end of story.” <a data-passage="UHH26"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
Of course, he had a reason. I’m sure everyone had a reason, a convenient one at that, when their life was on the line. It didn’t matter, the hunt called for his death, and that’s what would happen. I begin to double down on my aura when I feel a throbbing in my brain. Suddenly, thoughts of Sydero and what I feared when it came to her attacks me. It was as if my own thoughts were now screaming at me, neither condemning me nor trying to excuse my inability to tell Sydero about my feelings. It only felt like they couldn’t be silenced, much like one’s mind when they were asleep and stressed. “Fuck, $name,” Sydero growls, her own empathy reacting to my sudden shift in emotion and the pure intensity of it. I hear her scream Adelard’s name as I try to recover from the mental attack. When I finally regain control of my thoughts and the pounding fades, I realize that Adelard is gone. “What do you mean you lost him? You had the easiest job! Kill him!” Bradley shouts, Sydero already having told him about what had happened, it seems. “He’s fae. What did you expect?” She questions, her gaze cutting to me, but she still leaves out my part in this. The best I could come up with is that he attacked me since I, unlike Sydero, didn’t have a defense against empathy, leaving my mind free to toy with. “We lost him, end of story.” <a data-passage="UHH26"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“I suppose so,” I hear Bradley speak, pausing and then sounding like he was addressing the entire group. “Alright, guys. Hunt is over. Apparently, Sydero and $name tipped off and then lost the target.” “Oh, fuck off, Bradley,” Sydero grumbles, she turns to me as if she wishes to say something but never does. Instead, she opens the door to the room and leave. I follow close behind, sighing and wishing I knew what she was thinking. <img src="images/divider1.png"> <<if $letgo>>\ Syd knew she should be upset about Adelard getting away. That was a paycheck out the window, as well as some random goblin thinking that he got the better of them. There were few things worse than an unchecked fae’s pride. She was just hoping it didn’t ever come back to bite them and that Adelard laid low instead of coming after them. Despite all of this, she couldn’t bring herself to be upset. She always admired Roe’s ability to sympathize. On more than one occasion, she had made the joke that Roe should be the one with the empathy, not her. But that also didn’t mean she was looking forward to answering a million questions posed by the gang. She already felt like she was on thin ice with Roe. Whatever was going on with ?him seemed like it had just been mounting and getting worse over the week. <<else>>\ Even though the attack wasn’t directed at her, and she had her own defenses against such mental attacks, she was still suffering the headache. As soon as Roe was attacked, she felt the aftereffects. The best she could describe it was the aftershock after an earthquake. Not precisely as powerful but still dangerous and, if unprepared, devastating. She supposed that was the negative part about having an anchor, not to mention an anchor that you were fucking and had some form of deep feelings for. She leaned against the wall as the two of them waited for the others, smirking at the thought. Past Sydero would have surely made a remark about why this was why she didn’t do anchors and relationships, and really anything dealing with another. Now? Well, she believed the benefits far outweighed the negatives. That, and even if they didn’t, she didn’t like the idea of not having Roe by her side. Roe made it easy to rely on ?him. ?He made it so effortless, as effortless as breathing. But she knew that something was bothering ?him. <</if>>\ <a data-passage="UHH26.1"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
The feeling would come and go, but she felt the sadness deepen with ?him each time it came. She had waited for ?him to say something, but it was starting to seem like ?he never would, meaning she would have to ask. The familiar feeling of dread took hold of her and reminded her of all the possible routes that action could take her. What if their time was coming to an end? Once, she imagined no one at her side. Now, she couldn’t imagine ?him not there. She couldn’t see herself being the same if that was to happen. <img src="images/divider2.png"> The others appear a few minutes later, none of them asking the questions but their stances and expressions told us that we needed to explain. <<if $letgo>>\ I sigh, scratching the back of my neck, “I kinda wanted to hear him out. He said he wasn’t here on his own volition. If he was innocent, I didn’t just want to kill him because we were paid to.” Amari pouts but then nods in understanding, “I would’ve done the same, honestly.” “Would’ve probably made sure he couldn’t get away,” Rahim chimes in, “but I understand as well.” “Glad some of you do, then,” Zillah snorts, “because I don’t. What is so hard about killing a guilty man.” “Zillah,” Chris starts, “you should be the last person asking that question.” Zillah opens his mouth and then closes it. “Touché. I hate it, but touché. What now then?” There was little else to do but leave, especially since there was no point in staying. Adelard wasn’t coming back, and if he did, it was to warn the leaders that he had almost been murdered. Whether they care or not, that was the real question. I suppose if we hear about this again, then we’ll know. <<else>>\ I roll my eyes, “he mentally attacked me,” I tell them. “Emotions override or whatever you want to call it. In a way, it’s not actually my fault.” “I told you numerous times that you need to build your willpower,” Rahim points out, sounding like a disappointed father. “He has a point, $name,” Amari backs him up. “Eh, I understand,” Chris inputs, “we did all think this was going to be the easy part. Did we even think about you being mentally attacked?” “Does it matter?” Sydero questions, “Adelard is gone. And I’d rather not stand here and continue talking about it when my feet are screaming to get out these heels. Can we go?” None of us disagree with her words, and so we head out, leaving the gala behind. <</if>>\ Once outside, Rahim calls for the car as Zillah and Amari wait for Bradley to drive up. I stand beside Sydero, still in my own head, when her voice brings me out of it. <a data-passage="UHH29"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
<<nobr>> <<audio "gala" fadeout>> <<audio "theme" loop volume 0 fadeto 0.40>> <</nobr>> We’re the last guests out and the only ones I’m sure that didn’t leave screaming and tripping over themselves. Though, in a way, not even that is true. Rahim was only upright due to Chris’s aid, and Amari was so energized that she was indeed screaming. “I’ll see you guys back home,” Sydero yawns, throwing her hand up as she begins to walk towards where she had parked her bike. I watch her go when someone nudges me. <<if $bf is "Rahim">>\ I look back to see Rahim gazing at me, a lopsided grin on his face as he peers from me to Sydero. “Go.” “You're drunk,” I snicker. “I'm still sober enough to know that you're just trying to run away. Go, now.” I frown but can't deny his words. If I didn’t do it now, then who knows when? I would always make up an excuse; there would always be something holding me back. I release a shaky sigh and square my shoulders, making my way after her. <<else>>\ I look back to see $bf gazing at me, a lopsided grin on <<if $bf is "Amari">>her<<else>>his<</if>> face as <<if $bf is "Amari">>she<<else>>he<</if>> peers from me to Sydero. “Go.” “Stop, we talked about –,” I start but <<if $bf is "Amari">>she<<else>>he<</if>> doesn’t seem to care for what I have to say. “Go, now. What’s the worse that can happen?” Five possible scenarios pop in my head, and I have a hard time choosing which was worse out of them. But, <<if $bf is "Amari">>she<<else>>he<</if>> was also right. If I didn’t do it now, then who knows when? I would always make up an excuse; there would always be something holding me back. I release a shaky sigh and square my shoulders, making my way after her. <</if>>\ When I finally catch up, she’s already at her bike. “What’s up?” she questions upon seeing me, “ready to say whatever’s been on your mind all day? No, wait, all week.” “What?” I question. I wasn’t surprised that she noticed. I had even realized earlier that she had. But it was something else to hear her finally speak about it. <a data-passage="UHH30"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
The choking by itself had seemed a little too much, and if her words held any truth, then it was only going to get rougher from here. We were on a hunt; the last thing I needed was to go so far down this rabbit hole that I can't function when we leave this room. This was better to do in the comforts of the house, somewhere that wasn’t strange. “You’re not right,” I remark, “but we should wait to do this another time. When we’re not on a hunt.” She hums, walking to the couch, and sitting down. I’m about to question what she’s doing when I see her take multiple deep breaths, her horns begin to disappear, and her tail follows. The next time she opens her eyes, the battle is still being fought, but her human side has gained enough control. “Alright,” she states, standing and stretching, “let’s go.” “Syd and $name?” I hear Bradley say through my earpiece. “Go ahead, Bradley,” I answer. “You two need to go ahead and move in. Are you two good? I haven’t heard from you guys in a while.” I glance over at Sydero, who tries to hide her smile as she answer. “We’re fine. I was just ranting about how much I hate heels.” “Oh,” Bradley answers, and the two of us leave the room behind and walk back to the dance hall where the majority of everyone was. <a data-passage="UHH22"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Too much?” she questions, a certain amount of caution in her tone. <<if $sex is "v">>\ “Stop playing safe with –,” I start, but Sydero bites down on my shoulder harshly, causing a loud whimper to come out instead. The blade continues to travel against me, crossing over far more sensitive areas that caused me to yelp. No matter where the knife went, it didn’t draw blood. I knew Sydero knew her way around a blade, knew exactly how much pressure to use, and where to press harder and where to tease. The understanding that I was in danger did nothing to stop my arousal; if anything, it increased it. Had me yearning for more, my legs shaking in need. I needed her. I craved her to be inside of me, to punish or pleasure me however she saw fit. “What do you want?” she questions, grabbing a handful of my ass in her hands. “You, fuck. Fuck me, please,” I beg. The blade trails across my chest. This time Sydero adding just enough pressure for it to dig into my skin. I whimper but don’t shy away as she moves it between my legs, then across my inner thighs, it slowly traveling closer and closer to my core. Despite myself, I cum right there, unable to stop as my juices surge out of me. I gasp in both embarrassment and horror, not knowing how Sydero would feel about such action. Her lust abilities tighten around me enough to feel like they were choking me. “Shame,” she sighs, “such a mess. And one I didn’t give you permission to make.” Her hand makes contact with my ass, spanking me until my butt was raw and probably as red as it could get. “I want an apology,” she states. “I’m sorry,” I say immediately, not realizing that she didn’t mean verbal until her next command. “Down now,” she directs, my slow movements earning me another round of slaps against my ass. Tears rushed to my eyes as I yelped, uncaring of who heard. I lay down on my back when she sits on my face. <a data-passage="D4"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <<else>>\ “Stop playing safe with –,” I start, but Sydero bites down on my shoulder harshly, causing a loud whimper to come out instead. The blade continues to travel against me, crossing over far more sensitive areas that caused me to yelp. No matter where the knife went, it didn’t draw blood. I knew Sydero knew her way around a blade, knew exactly how much pressure to use, and where to press harder and where to tease. The understanding that I was in danger did nothing to stop my arousal; if anything, it increased it. Had me yearning for more, my legs shaking in need. I needed her. I craved her to be inside of me, to punish or pleasure me however she saw fit. “What do you want?” she questions, grabbing a handful of my ass in her hands. <<if $sex is "p">>\ [[“Let me fuck you please!”][$giveit = true]] [[“Fuck me please.”]] <<else>>\ <a data-passage="D4"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a> <</if>>\ <</if>>\
“You, fuck. Let me fuck you, please,” I beg. The blade trails across my chest. This time Sydero adding just enough pressure for it to dig into my skin. I whimper but don’t shy away as she moves it between my legs, then across my inner thighs, it slowly traveling closer and closer to my genitals. Despite myself, I cum right there, unable to stop as my juices surge out of me. I gasp in both embarrassment and horror, not knowing how Sydero would feel about such action. Her lust abilities tighten around me enough to feel like they were choking me. “Shame,” she sighs, “such a mess. And one I didn’t give you permission to make.” Her hand makes contact with my ass, spanking me until my butt was raw and probably as red as it could get. “I want an apology,” she states. “I’m sorry,” I say immediately, not realizing that she didn’t mean verbal until her next command. “Down now,” she directs, my slow movements earning me another round of slaps against my ass. Tears rushed to my eyes as I yelped, uncaring of who heard. I lay down on my back when she sits on my face. <a data-passage="D4"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“You, fuck. Fuck me, please,” I beg. The blade trails across my chest. This time Sydero adding just enough pressure for it to dig into my skin. I whimper but don’t shy away as she moves it between my legs, then across my inner thighs, it slowly traveling closer and closer to my genitals. Despite myself, I cum right there, unable to stop as my juices surge out of me. I gasp in both embarrassment and horror, not knowing how Sydero would feel about such action. Her lust abilities tighten around me enough to feel like they were choking me. “Shame,” she sighs, “such a mess. And one I didn’t give you permission to make.” Her hand makes contact with my ass, spanking me until my butt was raw and probably as red as it could get. “I want an apology,” she states. “I’m sorry,” I say immediately, not realizing that she didn’t mean verbal until her next command. “Down now,” she directs, my slow movements earning me another round of slaps against my ass. Tears rushed to my eyes as I yelped, uncaring of who heard. I lay down on my back when she sits on my face. <a data-passage="D4"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Go ahead, show me you’re sorry for making a mess of yourself.” I open my mouth and welcome her in as if she was the oasis, and I hadn’t seen water in days. I flick my tongue along her folds as she rides my face, sucking and kissing, wishing to taste every inch of her. “Oh, fuck, Roe,” she groans, “your mouth is fucking perfect.” Her words of praise cause me to push further, grabbing onto her thighs and pushing myself deeper inside of her. She rises, the action causing me to whimper and then yelp when she slaps me. “Did I say, touch me?” <<if $giveit>>\ “No, ma’am. I’m sorry, please forgive me.” She comes right back down, and I eat her out for a few seconds more when she rises once again. I don’t have time to react, only seeing the tip of her tail shift into the shape of a dildo and disappear. She grabs my throat as the tip of her tail inch into my entryway, teasing me. “You want me?” she questions, raising a brow. “I need you. Please, ma’am.” Her hand tightens around my throat, cutting off anything else I had to say just as she settles herself onto my cock. I gasp as she rotates her hips around and then lowers herself onto me, grinding against me as she hums. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I repeat, “Syd,” I scream, my eyes rolling to the top of my head. She felt so good, so tight and ready. She rides me like her life depended on it, taking all of me in as her fingers dig deep into my skin and leaving long burning marks. “Your cock feels so good,” Sydero purrs in my ear as she lays on me, causing me to enter her at a different angle that causes both of us to hiss in pleasure. “Go ahead and cum,” she whispers into my ear, nipping it harshly as she runs her tongue across my cheek. She didn’t have to tell me twice. I grab hold of her hips and pump into her as I come, giving her all of my cum. <<else>>\ “No, ma’am. I’m sorry, please forgive me.” She comes right back down, and I eat her out for a few seconds more when she rises once again. I don’t have time to react, only seeing the tip of her tail shift into the shape of a dildo and disappear. She grabs my throat as the tip of her tail inch into my entryway, teasing me. “You want it?” she questions, raising a brow. “I need it. Please, ma’am.” Her hand tightens around my throat, cutting off anything else I had to say just as her tip pushes into me. I gasp as it I feel myself clench around her, getting used to her size as she begins to pump me. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I repeat, “Syd,” I scream, my eyes rolling to the top of my head. “Yea, fucking take all of me, Roe,” she growls, capturing the bottom of my lip into her mouth, biting hard enough to pull blood. She licks it up before prodding my mouth with her tongue as she pushes deeper and deeper. My eyes roll up to the top of my head, feeling the tip hit my stomach. There was her tail-dildo working in and out of me, her lust blanketing me, causing me to feel like I was drowning, her hand around my throat, her other hand toying with my <<if $sex is "v">>clit<<else>>genitals<</if>>, and then her mouth on my own. My senses were overstimulated, my mind unable to stop. “Go ahead and cum,” she whispers into my ear, nipping it harshly as she runs her tongue across my cheek. She didn’t have to tell me twice. I come just as she pulls her tail out, my juices gushing out as I gasp, shaking profusely. <</if>>\ I try to speak numerous times, but I can’t, my mind barely registering Sydero’s soft kisses along my sweat-drenched skin. “How was I?” “Oh, you were perfect,” she purrs and massages my sides, “fucking perfect. Can’t wait to see this beautiful body actually rigged up and taking everything I can throw next time.” Next time, I think to myself with a chuckle, it would take a month to get over this time. <a data-passage="D5"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I open my mouth right when a voice sounds in my ear, “Syd and $name, move in now,” Bradley says before his voice disappears, causing both of us to sigh. Thankfully we were done, I doubt Sydero would’ve been able to just pause. That and I don’t want to think of the words she’d have for Bradley due to the interruption. We both get dressed, and afterward, I sit patiently as Sydero heals any noticeable cuts that she had left behind. I would use my own healing properties, but there was no nearby entropic energy. She also uses the time to shift her appearance back to her human form, her scales resisting the shift as much as possible. “Are you okay?” she asks, massaging my shoulders and moving just enough so that she could see my eyes. Her amber eyes are filled with worry. “Careful Syd, your emotions are showing.” She rolls her eyes, “I’m serious. Typically, this is when aftercare would come into play but,” she motions to our surroundings, “I’m not sure they have a bath anywhere nearby, and I don’t think Bradley would like the idea of us just chilling on the sofa.” She presses deeper into my skin, and I moan, “I’m doing the most that I can.” [[“You just owe me later.”]] [[“A kiss would make me feel better.”]] [[“Your aftercare better be good.”]]
“It’s fine,” I say with a stretch that did little for my aching body, “you just owe me later.” “You’re damn right I do, leaving you like this doesn’t sit right with me,” she mumbles. “Who would’ve known,” I snicker, playfully bumping her, “Sydero does have a heart.” “You tell anyone and you’re dead,” she smirks, motioning for me to come. The two of us leave the room behind and make our way back to the main area, blending back into the main crowd with ease. A few minutes of searching and we realize that the others are nowhere to be seen, which meant one thing. It was time for us to descend and attend the real party. “Think anyone noticed we were gone?” I ask, gazing around but not seeing anyone give us a look, but that could just be me hoping. <a data-passage="UHH22"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“You know,” I say, cocking my head to the side, “a kiss would make me feel better.” I thought I would have to fight more or at least have to deal with one of her typical quips before getting what I asked for, but no, I just receive it. The kiss has all the intensity of what we had just did before but was actually quite calming. My entire body hums in adoration as her lips work against mine. I would think we hadn’t just been kissing almost five minutes ago with how much her kiss was filling me with energy and life. It was the type of kiss that, when it ended, I just wished to rewind the time to experience it all again. It filled my heart with a need far different from before, this need was just for her, her energy. “Come on,” she says in a husky voice, fighting a small blush as she pulls back, “we should get back out there.” I don’t argue. The two of us leave the room behind without saying anything more to the other, heading back into the main area and blending back into the crowd with ease. A few minutes of searching and we realize that the others are nowhere to be seen, which meant one thing. It was time for us to descend and attend the real party. “Think anyone noticed we were gone?” I ask, gazing around but not seeing anyone give us a look, but that could just be me hoping. <a data-passage="UHH22"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
“Your aftercare should be on the same level as the relaxation of a five-star resort,” I joke, my entire body overly sore. “I feel like I just completed five cross-fit workouts, simultaneously.” Sydero snorts, “my aftercare comes with the best kind of massage.” “With hot stones?” I question and the look she gives me tells me that I’m not far from the truth. “Oh, yea. When we get home, you owe me this aftercare.” With a chuckle she motions for me to come and the two of us leave the room behind, blending back into the main crowd with ease. A few minutes of searching and we realize that the others are nowhere to be seen, which meant one thing. It was time for us to descend and attend the real party. “Think anyone noticed we were gone?” I ask, gazing around but not seeing anyone give us a look, but that could just be me hoping. <a data-passage="UHH22"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>
I wanted to so badly wrap my hands around her, “I know,” is all I can manage. “Say it,” she growls, but there’s an edge to it, a craving and desperate tone, “say you’re mine.” “I’m yours, Sydero. Every inch of me is yours.” And that, by itself, sets the chain of events into action. She tangles her hands in my hair, yanking it to the side before latching onto my neck. She sucks and nips, but the worst part of it was her bites, bites that would even cause a vampire to pause. I whimper against her as she removes my clothing, her nails digging into my skin. I reach to touch her, curious to know exactly how wet she was. She snatches my wrist and pins it above my head, harshly, “no touching.” “Sydero,” I whine, and her grip tightens, causing the words to die on my tongue. She guides me to the middle of the room. “I’m kind of pissed right now,” she sighs, “in a perfect world, you’d be rigged up right now, completely bound, and presenting yourself to me.” Her hand trails along my stomach and then to my back as she walks around me. She traces a circle along my hip, growing closer and closer to my more sensitive area. “So, we’re going to do a little experiment,” she whispers in my ear, “you prove to me how bad you want this—no touching or moving unless I say. You’ll stand right here and do nothing if that’s what I choose? Understand?” I’m seconds away from nodding when my brain stops me, rewinding the words she just asked me. I stand motionless, hoping that I had passed this little test. “<<if $gender is "male">>Such a good boy<<elseif $gender is "female">>Such a good girl<<else>>You’re so good<</if>>,” she says to me, pressing a kiss on my shoulders, moving to the other shoulder blade with her tongue. “If it gets too much, use your safe word. Don’t you dare try to be brave.” “Yes, ma’am,” I say to her, and she smirks. <a data-passage="D2"><img src="images/next.png" alt="Continue" style="float:right"/></a>