graveknocker | call me out 🔪

[ it's a bit tragic, almost.

he'd simply chosen to doze off a little in the evening, and here it is, already night. the stars are overhead, and while they're a lovely sight through the manor windows, it's always not the same when you enjoy them alone. most of the others, chloe included, have headed off to their rooms or slumber for the night, which means there's a select few up and about at this hour still-

one in particular, rustica finds, as he peeks his head in the door of the bar and sees a familiar face behind the counter still. ]

Oh, Shylock. [ his smile is, as always, far too kind for a man waking up at this time of day. ] It's a lovely night, isn't it? I closed my eyes, and the evening just seemed to escape from me before I knew it....

[ shylock, as always, is burning the midnight oil at the manor bar, even when most of the residents have already gone off to sleep. well, except mithra and his moon-induced insomnia, but this ain't about him right now. it is of little wonder than rustica comes in on his lonesome, but shylock isn't about to turn him away. ]

I suppose you're here to enjoy this lovely night with me, then. Fufu, how scandalous.

[ how is it scandalous, shylock. in any case, he motions rustica to grab a seat at the counter. ]

What would you like to have tonight? Do you wish to stay up with me, or drift off to a comfortable sleep?

[ however empty the bar may be, it doesn't feel any less lonely, especially as rustica strides across the floor with an elegance unbefitting of a man who just woke up arguably 20 minutes ago.

he takes his seat, barely batting an eyelash at shylock's usual antics. ]

Just the two of us...how exciting. I wonder what we could get up to?

[ a gloved hand presses to his chest, seemingly in thought. now you've got him thinking, and that's always a horrible thing, indeed.

At least, he's easily distracted. ]

I'll gladly be your company- to spend such a lovely night alone would be a waste, wouldn't it?

[ only rustica would make bedhead look so refined... wait no, shylock could pull it off too, and would look sexier in it. these two are undoubtedly very dangerous when it comes right down to it.

but that's part of the fun, as always. ]

It would. Murr has gone off as per usual -- no doubt admiring at his loathsome beloved from the comfort of the manor's roof.

[ /derogatory ]

And Chloe must be fast asleep by now. We could always invite the others who might be wide awake right now... Like Mithra, for instance.

[ uh oh ]

Ah, but that sort of extreme love story...I find it moves me all the same! We wouldn't be wizards if we didn't follow the wishes and whims of our hearts, don't you agree? His dedication is something to be admired. Perhaps if I were to sit out under the stars myself, my bride might appear....

[ even if the catboy is obsessed with the manifestation of disaster that could probably kill them, everybody has their tastes! he isn't one to kinkshame.

rustica hums and slowly brings his hand to his chin, as if mulling it over. ]

Wouldn't that be lovely? Mithra is always such an interesting man to converse with. Ah, but if I remember correctly...I believe he was requesting the Sage's attention before I drifted off to slumber.

[ more like 'demanding' but he's too nice to say that. in his eyes, that's perfectly normal. ]

Shall we see if we can invite them both?

[whatever twist of fate led her to wake up here, she's not questioning. Helena might have a kind heart, might care for others well, but she also knows that surviving sometimes means accepting the hand you are dealt, and waking up in a world full of magic was a far better fate than running in the same circles.

and magic is enchanting to her. it provides an easy cover - anything she doesn't know much about, she can claim to have had an accident of her memories getting muddled, that her parents didn't let her go out much. closer to the truth than a lie, and it works just fine.

but it means when it comes to strange happenings, she's at a disadvantage to note the event. to find oneself in the thick of it, before they can realize it's happening. that wandering into the wrong cursed garden, lured by a flower's sweet scent, leaves her in a bit of a bind. it's so lovely, surely it will do no harm to nap there, when no one else seems to be around...

and so it is that an unconscious young woman is bound to a tree, one that seeks to slowly sip away another life, to add to the bodies buried under the earth and fuel its own spell. whoops.]

[ western country is, as always, beautiful- to rustica, that is, who appreciates all things. the people, the streets, the atmosphere...it's always nice to come home, even if he doesn't remember much of it. requests have seem to be more frequent lately, and thus they are here without a sage by their side, but it does little to ruffle his feathers. he barely balks in the face of any adversity, to begin with.

still...what an interesting thing this is.

working to remove the strange curse lingering in the area isn't quite his job, so he takes the initiative to approach the source, air thick with something heavy on the tongue. he must say, he wasn't expecting there to be still be someone here, entangled against the bark as if having a nap. ]

Are you fond of that young lady? It pains me to tear two things apart, but it's time for you to have a proper rest. Please don't fret, I'll make sure to give you a lovely, sweet dream, full of nothing but good things.

[ the branches sway, earth shifting at the protest of it's roots, unwilling to let go of it's victim. but rustica merely raises a gloved hand with a sweet smile and a soft, bottomless gaze. ]

Now, please sleep well, like all should after a wonderful meal. Amorest Viesse.

[ The air ripples, sparkling briefly for a moment. Like slowly sinking into a bed after a long day, the wood groans, leaves settling down as if the wind had died off. it sinks deep into it's core, enveloping it like a blanket, like a final goodbye- there's only the soft rustle of the grass beneath his feet, rustica reaching out to catch the would-be victim before she can fall. ]

My fair lady. [ he gently shifts to hold her properly, gently brushing the hair out of her face. now, would that be enough to wake her up, is the question...? ] Have you slept enough, yourself?

[she's being pulled out of strange dreams, where everything feels liquid and odd, like she can't run, and then suddenly it all clears. no scent that lulls her to sleep, no heaviness in her limbs. instead there's a warmth, a security, and her eyes open - he'll see what she's been told is there, dark eyes and their veil of blindness, looking very much like she was just roused from a deep dream.]

What happened...?

[there's a voice she doesn't know, but she has to trust it, ask her questions. the last thing she remembers is deciding to nap, but something's changed in the atmosphere...]

[ ah, there she is. his soft smile only brightens once she opens her eyes, but he does tilt his head curiously at the light milky film that seems to envelop them. it doesn't do much to shake him, naturally, and at her voice it seems to escape him. far more important things to worry about, or something. ]

You looked like you were having a very pleasant dream. I'm almost jealous. But when one wanders through a garden, I find it's far more beautiful with someone at your side to enjoy it with.

[ he moves to help her sit up a bit more a before he holds out his hand- air sparkling before a few star-like shapes plop into a red-gloved palm. she still seems a bit out of it, and certainly, life-draining trees probably take their toll. he holds one to her mouth, carefully. ]

Here now, eat one of these.

[ if she chooses to, she'll find the small object is sugar...one that melts in the mouth easy, and in a few moments, both her limbs and her mind will feel far less heavy. ]

[perhaps one should be a little more skeptical about eating strange things when just having nearly died, but Helena didn't survive this far by being careful always. instead, she obediently eats the shape, eyes widening in pleased surprise to find it's sugar.]

Thank you, sir...I'm sure it was more than a dream, if you had to wake me, so thank you for your kind assistance. I'm lucky you were coming by.

[her hand feels over the ground, and yes, there it is - her cane back in her hand, so everything is now all right in the world. and oh, the fog is lifting, and she feels more like herself again.]

[ perhaps people should! but rustica certainly wouldn't, and neither would this girl, apparently. he makes a pleased hum as she takes the offered sugar, clearly happy to see her up and about. With all these recent happenings, it's good to see such a positive outcome.

Then again, he sees the positives in almost anything. ]

But of course. When one sees a lovely young lady by herself, isn't it only natural to offer a hand?

[ rustica watches quietly as she gropes around for the cane, and once it's back in her possession, he shifts his position- ]

The flowers are in bloom, and it's a lovely day for a walk. Can you stand? Or shall I carry you, if you'd permit it?

Ah, I don't think that would be necessary, sir...

[a touch embarrassing, to be carried if she's fully capable of walking under her own power. carefully, she gets back to her feet, leaning more on her cane than him to spare the way it would mean she'd need to impose upon him more than usual. but once she's standing, she smiles brightly.]

May I have your name? Mine is Helena.

[The ad is relatively innocuous, for being something posted on ***list, and quite short.]

Looking for help clearing out my garden for a landscaping project, financial compensation starting at $2000.

[Which is a lot of money—not too much to be that suspicious at a glance, hopefully, but enough to be tempting. Anyone who responds to the ad will get the address of a house towards the outskirts of the city that was recently sold to a new owner, so... now all Richard has to do is wait for the prey to walk into his home.]

[ the thing is, he knows it's stupid. who the hell takes offers off ***list? sure, some are legit, but not all of them.

it's just...andrew really needs the money. both jobs aren't giving enough shifts, and he can't take luca or victor's offers of charity. the medical bills are piling up on his kitchen table, and he can't afford to put them off anymore. he knows his mother would hate it if he did something this shady, but...desperate times call for desperate measures.

so, he tells luca where he'll be (admittedly omitting the reason), and sets out with a white-knuckled grip on his bag for the whole bus ride. the place doesn't seem bad at first glance, but...who knows.

there's a knock, two, and then the door creaks open slowly. he peeks around the edge, first, voice as nervous as the grip he has on the doorhandle. ]

...H-Hello?

[The man who answered his ad is about exactly what he was expecting—young and foolish, with nerves radiating off of him. It's delightful.

The man on the other side of the door is nearly as pale as Andrew, and the corners of his lips are raised in a gentle, friendly smile. He also looks as young as Andrew, too, though he holds himself with almost regal posture, and his clothes are well-made and well-fitting. He must come from money, which is why he can throw it around on strangers from the internet.]

Hello... Are you here from the ad?

[He pauses, as if he's the one unsure about letting a stranger into his home, like he actually wants to vet him for his own safety. Anything that might help get this man's guard down, really, since he won't get anywhere if he has to attack him in broad daylight.]

[ part of him jumps a little; the man is right there, and he wasn't really expecting it. andrew has to take another glance once the initial surprise wears off, still gripping the door tight, even if that smile is seemingly harmless.

probably nicer than it should, for someone nearly just walking into his house. especially since the other man is dressed in clothes andrew could hardly dream of affording on a gas station paycheck. clearly, he has more than enough to afford what he's offered, which is a plus. ]

Uh, yes.... [ a hesitant step inside, albeit he still hasn't entered completely. caution is healthy when you bother to use it. ] Is it...okay if I come in?

[ rather than looking at richard, his eyes do keep bouncing around, the anxiety present in the furrow of his brow and the purse of his lip. ]

Of course, make yourself at home...

[The smile on his face brightens, and he steps back to let Andrew into his home. The house is dim, with most of the curtains shut tight, and there are a few boxes stacked and scattered around, some open and some still taped shut. The furniture is an eclectic mix of antiques and modern pieces, but it's clear that he hasn't had time to properly decorate and unpack everything yet.

Still, the back garden is what Andrew thinks he's here for, so Richard shuts the front door behind him, effectively sealing his fate.]

Now, if you'll follow me... Ah, and I'm Richard, by the way.

[Not that he'll live long enough for his name to matter... Richard will lead him deeper into the house, through the living room and into the kitchen.]

[ he will...very much not be doing that, thank you. the suggestion does little to soothe his nerves, and it's only after a few seconds of internal fighting that he finally, carefully, steps inside. the dim light is actually welcome, considering how much bright light hurts his eyes, but way said eyes sweep over the mismatched furniture and unpacked boxes is nothing short of apprehensive.

fingers tighten on the straps of his bag, jumping lightly at the click of the door before forcing himself to settle down. god, he's stupid....why is he even doing this? part of him thinks about dipping with a rushed apology back to the bus stop down the street, but the burning image of those bills in their pretty white envelopes keeps his feet stuck where they are. ]

R-Right... [ well, a normal name. ] ...Andrew.

[ he's pass on handing out his full name to weirdos off ***list for now.

the way andrew follows behind richard is hunched and nervous, an attempt to make himself smaller despite his bigger frame. fingers absentmindedly twist in the cross at his throat, the metal chain digging into pale skin as he eyeballs the weirdly expensive-looking furniture as they pass.

the back door is in the kitchen, then? the sooner they get this over with, the better. ]

[The kitchen is one of the emptiest rooms in the house so far, with only one box set on the counter and little else to see, though there is a door with a window looking out into the backyard. At a glance, it doesn't seem like the yard is in that bad of shape, really...

Richard looks back at Andrew, taking in the way he fiddles with the cross he's wearing. If only he knew that it wouldn't do anything to protect him... Ah, but that's half the fun.

Richard stops in the middle of the kitchen, smiling widely, and he laughs softly.]

You're so nervous.

[There's a condescending lilt to his voice, and he moves quickly—too quickly—shoving Andrew against the counter and caging him in. This close, Andrew can see how sharp his teeth are, and feel how cold his skin is.]

A pity it's too late for you, now.

[Icy lips brush Andrew's throat, and then sharp fangs are piercing the skin, venom flooding into his veins.]

[ for all his worries, he really should have paid more attention to the man himself. it's the nigh empty kitchen he examines first, before his gaze slides out the window into the backyard. it's the state of it, not nearly as bad as he thought, that has the warning bells suddenly ringing loud and clear.

he nearly bumps into richard as he stops, freezing and jerking back as he tenses up at the sudden attention, the laugh earning a confused furrow of brows.

the tone change, the noticeable difference latched onto like a leech, has him already taking a step back with a cold sense of dread worming it's way through his stomach. unfortunately, he's not half as fast as the other man, who abruptly slams him into the counter with the wood digging painfully into the curve of andrew's back. he yelps, a sharp panicked noise not helped by the arms that promptly cage him in, and his arms are already coming up to try and push at his shoulders. ]

W-What- [ it's hard to take in the chill of the man's touch at first, but the brush of cold lips against his neck has him snapping straight, muscles tense as the adrenaline kicks in as much as the bewildered tinge of disgust. ] Let g-go of me, you pervert-!

[ whatever insults or demands are in his throat die as fast as the strength in his grip, something sharp piercing past the skin and into the muscle so fast he hardly has time to blink. and then the pain, sharp and scalding, is steadily replaced by a different kind of heat that slackens his fingers and makes his legs shake.

the noise he makes is confused, but strangled, sagging against the counter on one trembling elbow. were he capable of thinking straight, he'd note the odd sensation of something warm and sticky trailing down his chest, but that's currently the least of his worries. ]

[Pervert? Well, Richard's been called worse, even if he has to snort at how that's the first accusation he makes. Times have changed since he was first turned, and people don't seem to know much about the monsters that walk among them... Which keeps working out in his favor, so he can't complain.

His blood is delicious, so much so Richard isn't sure if it's because it's been so long since he's had fresh blood or if it's something unique to Andrew... Whatever the reason, between the taste and the way the man reacts Richard finds he doesn't want to drain him dry. Maybe he could spare his life, at least if the man continues to prove entertaining.]

A pervert?

[He laughs low in his throat, pressing his body flush against the taller man. A slender thigh pushes between his legs, and Richard presses a kiss to the wound on his neck.]

You're the one who seems to be enjoying this too much, though.

[Mostly because of the side effects of vampire venom, but he'll bully him as much as he can.]

[ when someone chooses to put their mouth near your neck, the term is the first thing to pop into your head....or so it goes.

the background noise of steady gulping should be disorienting than it is, at least to his dulled senses. for all the tension in his limbs moments prior, poised to bolt like a frightened animal, now he's running far too hot. there's a dull buzz in his brain, an unsteadiness in all of his limbs to match the unfamiliar sensation of warmth pooling in his stomach.

even so, he can hear that voice- hear the laugh. and something choked slips out at the other man presses even closer, the thigh that slips between his legs sending an electric shock up the curve of his spine that has his eyes blowing wide.

between that and the kiss, he feels like his tongue is in knots, but he at least has enough christian guilt at his body's reaction to try and shove at the other's slender shoulders with about as much strength as you'd think. ]

I'm not-! [ even if his voice wobbles, and even if the mortification of Knowing(tm) is there. ] D-Don't touch me, dammit!

[ whatever his coursing through his veins disagrees, but his bodily reactions have never stopped his mouth before. ]

Edited (don't worry about it) 2025-04-28 07:24 (UTC)

[You would think, looking at Richard, that he'd be easy for Andrew to shove away. He's shorter and more slim, but all of Andrew's shoving doesn't seem to effect him at all, the man as still as a statue outside of the way he grinds his leg against Andrew and presses his lips back to his neck.]

You're protesting a lot for someone who's enjoying himself.

[Ah, he can feel himself getting warmer... Not in the same way as he knows Andrew is burning alive, but the blood he's been enjoying is making him feel more alive, the heat of Andrew's body turning into his own, and he lets out a pleased hum as he sucks a hickey into Andrew's neck on the opposite side from the bite. There's still the threat for more blood being drained from him, but Richard doesn't want this meal to end just yet.]

Can't you just relax and enjoy yourself? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

[Mostly because he's going to die shortly after this, though there's still a chance Richard will change his mind and keep him.]

[ it feels...wrong. andrew knows he's weaker, knows there's not much energy in his fingertips with it all draining just to coalesce in his lower body, but richard looks so much smaller than him. surely he can move him, shove him aside, even if just a little. but he can't.

there's barely any register of pressure, like a mosquito batting at flesh uselessly, but this thought only lasts as long as scant seconds before that leg slotted between his own is grinding up against his still-clothed erection. the friction drags a whimper from his lips, fingers curling in the cloth in his palms in lieu of more shoving attempts.

there's the sting of fear at the sensation of the other's mouth again, but it's followed by less pricking and more sucking- features twisted in red-faced confusion at the odd sensation. it distracts him enough that the haze of richard's words almost sound nice....at least until his brain catches up. maybe even still. ]

W-Who would enjoy something like this? [ says man currently hard as can be, an unfamiliar desperation in the grip of his hands. nobody has really ever touched him like this before, and it's equally mortifying as it is dizzying. ] It's...your fault, all your fault, not mine...!

[ and yet, andrew almost seems to be leaning further down on that leg, features blotched red. ]

[Richard pulls back from his neck, looking over the mark he's left. Seemingly pleased with it, he presses a kiss to Andrew's jaw with a faint snicker.]

Yes, yes, it's all my fault. The big, bad vampire is forcing your hand because you would never enjoy anyone touching you.

[He rolls his eyes, Andrew's whining little more than background noise at this point. He can see the way he's caving, those slight movements incredibly obvious to Richard.]

Do you want me to take care of this? Or do you want to keep humping my leg like a dog?

[Not that Richard would be opposed to taking in a new puppy... (cocoa turns me to dust instantaneously)]

call me out 🔪

b(w)esties

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

rustica 🥺

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject