I tried drawing Zamora, ‘cause I really love her design. Damn, she’s hard to draw!
And also, I thought she might be able to hiss, considering she’s part reptile. And I don’t really know if she has a forked tongue either.
Heck, I’m not part reptile, but I can hiss.
Yeah.
((I LOOOOOVE! And yeah, she's a stinker to draw! But thank you, I'm glad you dig her design <33))
*Michael uneasily sets his hand on his book. He tries to remain unphased by the taboo topic*
Good evening… your highness. *clears throat* Well… there certainly are many rumors and myths surrounding her. She has supposedly been alive for decades, her prolonged youth granted by drinking the blood of dragons. So they… so they say…
*Michael glances up at the crown, stares and shakes his head. He touches his temple as if having trouble concentrating*
They… uh, say she’s no longer human, but actually part dragon… not so sure myself. She does in fact command an army of dragons, there have been many articles and royal testaments proving this to be fact…
*Michael bites his lower lip, nervous. He let’s out a sigh and briefly glances up at the strange looking king*
You seem genuinely interested in seeking her out. I would advise otherwise, your highness she’s…
*Michael opens his book, fiddles with it, running his thumb along the pages*
*Michael uneasily sets his hand on his book. He tries to remain unphased by the taboo topic*
Good evening... your highness. *clears throat* Well... there certainly are many rumors and myths surrounding her. She has supposedly been alive for decades, her prolonged youth granted by drinking the blood of dragons. So they... so they say...
*Michael glances up at the crown, stares and shakes his head. He touches his temple as if having trouble concentrating*
They... uh, say she's no longer human, but actually part dragon... not so sure myself. She does in fact command an army of dragons, there have been many articles and royal testaments proving this to be fact...
*Michael bites his lower lip, nervous. He let's out a sigh and briefly glances up at the strange looking king*
You seem genuinely interested in seeking her out. I would advise otherwise, your highness she's...
*Michael opens his book, fiddles with it, running his thumb along the pages*
Carmen slipped me the book in the first place and... I don't know if I should really believe anything she says when it comes to it. You know it's the way she talks I think. I take Aberddon's word over hers. He comes off very straightforward where she just... always seems to have something hidden between the lines.
Carmen: Why she's like a little doll! It is refreshing to have a proper lady to converse with after so long. I have begun teaching the little dear how to fish *sly smirk* if you know what I mean...
Now we'd love to elaborate but we simply don't have the time to write you an essay. However... if you're able to narrow your question down to something a tad more specific perhaps an answer can be given
Oh... well, Rebecca really isn't dangerous so long as I keep calm. She tends to be very... ahem, emotional... and senses when I'm uneasy, upset, or... er...
... I really don't feel comfortable talking about this, especially not even knowing your name. Also, it's... personal. I prefer not to be an open book, as it were.
Carmen wore and ate quality without exception. High class was unfounded in tacky little towns by the sea. She found with difficulty one establishment that remained open after dark, a hole in the ground pub. Bars were a good place to find a meal, like shooting fish in a barrel. The last few nights the pickings had been unacceptable, the men, pathetic, sickly little fish. She was almost too hungry to care.
Almost.
“This menu makes me sad, my darling,” she said, running her fingers through his bangs. She sighed louder, “We might as well go back to the hotel, I’m not settling for any of these wretches”
Carmen gently took the tip of his donkey-like ear between her fingers, and rubbed. He squirmed a bit, nails kneading her dress. She smirked, holding him like a trophy poodle as she stood. Her leave of the establishment was halted as a drunk caught sight of her swaying hips. He ran after her, desperately leapt in front of the door. Raising a brow Carmen apathetically awaited his proposal.
“Madame,” he said, his voice slurred and wreaking of absinthe, “Don’t leave, where… h- have you been. Did you fall from the sky? Such an angel”
Carmen smirked, amused by the flattery. Amused, but not impressed. She smiled and set her hand on his warm, rosy cheek. The drunk’s eyes rolled back as he collapsed. Carmen ventured out into the night, headed toward the hotel. Aberddon gazed at Carmen, his stomach fluttering. Without a substitute he would be the one to feed her, yet again. The demon swallowed anxiously.
“What does that mean, Aberddon?” she asked coyly, fondling his ear.
Aberddon lowered his head to hide his blush. Carmen’s smile faltered.
…
The lobby was barren as they ventured up the stairs. With no one around Carmen lifted, her bare feet dangling delicately as she hovered. She had procured the finest room, meant for honeymooning, for herself and Aberddon. It was elaborately romantic. A part of her humanity smiled in the presence of the reflection of matrimony. As a child she dreamed of having a beautiful wedding. Those were nothing but childish thoughts now.
She blink herself awake as she felt Aberddon tug at the hem of her dress. If she could she’d blush for the embarrassment of being caught daydreaming. And of silly things no less. She flew to the bed and sat at the edge, looking listlessly out the window. Aberddon secured the door before he turned, sighed. Walking towards her he went from four legs to two, size expanding by five. He stood over six feet tall; broad, ram horns twisting behind his head, blue symbols marking his arm and side, short pointed teeth showing. Wings folded the demon sat besides his companion and with a side glance tried to scan her face. That luscious head of burgundy hair was a shield.
“It’s rude to stare, Aberddon,” she chuckled smugly, “Say what you need to”
“Sunrise is on it’s way.”
“And?”
“Well… um. Aren’t you hungry?”
“Am I?” she asked. Carmen turned her head, keeping her face veiled. “I didn’t realize you dictated my eating habits,” her voice was stern but playful, “I will decide when I am ready to feed.”
Aberddon walked away to the dresser like a pouting child. He looked over his shoulder after a long, silent pause. Carmen was sitting patiently, hands folded, watching the crescent moon through a space in the drawn curtains. The light reflected off her pale skin, luminescent. His eyes softened as he gazed upon her, his heart pounding. The rush of blood sharply turned her head in interest, and her eyes met his. Aberddon looked away, clacking his pointed teeth. He fluttered his wings, awaiting a snark response, but to his surprise Carmen merely turned her attentions back to the window.
It drove him mad when she acted this way, baiting him like a starving puppy. He was more a predatory jungle cat who felt she needed coddling, protecting.
She desired neither.
“Aberddon”
“Yes?” he asked, jumping to respond. “Yes,” he repeated with less eagerness.
“Come here”
He bit his lip, torn between obeying and dismissing. Obeying, he walked the few steps to the bed and stood over her. Carmen looked at him on her own time and the effect was amorous. Aberddon felt his heart pounding. He swallowed despite himself. She smiled, her elongated teeth now visible. Her desire hit his animal senses in waves, growing ever more potent with the escalation of his beating heart. Now, he was certain she was hungry.
In his silence her smile grew mischievous.
“Sit”
He sat.
“Closer”
He scooted.
Carmen removed her arm length gloves, grabbing the fabric by her fingertips and slowly pulling, inch by inch. He watched like a predator hunting dangerous game, adrenaline spiked but weary. She sat, her corset holding everything to perfection, her neck elegantly long and slender. He was no vampire, but even his mouth watered.
“Closer,” she said, locking her eyes with his.
Her voice bound him. He leaned in, lips parting. Carmen put her slender finger to his lips and he halted. His body fought his mind to press forward, but he remained obedient. Vampires preferred to have control. Carmen wanted to play her game and he wouldn’t deny her the pleasure. He obeyed, with iron will, in silence as her fingers ran up into his hair, gently moving his bangs from his face. Despite himself he leaned into her touch, closed his eyes. Carmen cupped his chin, bringing his lips to hers, the gesture soft, sensual, intimate. It drew a deep growl from the demon.
“Carmen-”
“-Shhh,” she whispered, pecking his jaw. Her teasing kisses traveled down the neck she admired, thick and strong like the trunk of a tree.
When she kissed his jugular she did so slowly, savoring the flavor of his flesh, the scent of his blood rushing beneath. She sighed as her eyes fluttered closed. Burying her fingers in his thick mane she tilted his head till she had full access. Aberddon shifted anxiously, his eyes opening as she grazed her fangs across his skin, applying pressure on the spot she favored.
“Stay still my darling,” she purred.
He held his breath, waiting. Carmen eased pressure on his neck, closing her eyes, letting her instincts take a brief hold. Her mouth watered. She savored the anticipation.
In one harsh bite she buried her teeth in his neck. Aberddon hissed, his muscles tensing. After a moment a wave of euphoria replaced the pain, he smiled and relaxed into her arms. She pulled him against her, biting down till he quietly whimpered. She took a moment to get comfortable and then began to drink.
Carmen drank in ecstasy, the richness of his demon blood filling her with power, desire, a thirst for more. Her face grew warm as the living blood rushed through her veins, making her heart bloom. Demon blood was potent, filling… her quota was filled in a matter of moments but even full, she felt compelled to continue, the feeling too wonderful to stop. Aberddon shuttered as he grew lightheaded, the euphoria fading. He limply put his hand on her knee and softly squeezed it.
“C- Carmen…”
Her response was a light moan, a harsh nibble on the wound, her grip tightening. Aberddon gasped, pulling away only to be yanked back. He growled her name, wrapped a hand around her entire shoulder, struggling to push her off. She flew onto her back, mewling. Still lost in the intensity of the feeling she jerked, wiping the blood from her face and lapping it up like a kitten. Gasping for air Aberddon attempted to stand but fell, a shuttering heap on the floor, his tail flailed and hit the bed.
ThumpThumpThump.
On her back Carmen focused on the fine ridges in the ceiling, her eyes wide. She heard Aberddon’s blood rushing through her veins, igniting her senses as it bled with her own. The sheer pleasure of it lifted her back off the bed as she arched, closing her eyes.
Thump. Thump. Thump
Aberddon’s tail was almost rhythmic as it smacked against the mattress, a pace keeper for her short pants as she writhed. His name left her lips, a wanting whisper. She waited eagerly for him to join her, hands twisting into the sheets. He did not crawl onto the bed as expected. The thumping of his tail slowed. Her eyes opened sharply as she heard it slide off the bed and hit the floor, limp.
“A- Aberddon,” she panted, chest heaving, eyes yellow and red, cat-like, “… Aberddon?”
No response came. She sat up and looked over the edge of the bed. He was huddled, shivering, his wings completely flat on the ground. She could hear his heart beating slowly, the sound of his ragged breaths.
“Aberddon… is this some kind of joke,” her voice shook as she crawled off the bed and rolled him over. His eyes were open, glassy and distant. In them she could see his panic and how helpless he was to act upon it. I drank too much, she realized, petting his hair in an attempt to sooth him. “Snap out of it,” she commanded, lightly tapping his cheek. “Abe…”
Carmen could smell is blood through the wound. She helplessly tilted her head back and inhaled, wantonly, fangs tingling. Her hand flew to her mouth, pressing tightly over it. This feeling, Carmen had known it once before… blood lust. Her eyes focused on the marks she’d left. Scolding herself she put distance between them, looking over her shoulder with every step. Halfway across the room she heard a noise and spun on her heel. Aberddon was trying to move. The paralysis kept him a trembling, panicked mess on the floor. She could hear his heart beat gaining speed as the euphoric effect faded. Her now cat-like eyes sparkled at the sight of her wounded prey, bloody and momentarily feeble.
Your urges do not command you, she repeated to herself, animals succumb to urges, not civilized people.
She closed her eyes, focused. Abe made another noise as he collapsed, his tail whipped the edge of the bed and made a single deep sound. Carmen let out a controlled breath and opened her burgundy eyes. The intensity of her sight weakened as she let go of the adrenaline, but when she stepped found the physical sensitivity remained. The soft texture of the carpet gave her goosebumps.
Aberddon was on his side, feebly spreading his wings for balance as he tried to stand. His knee buckled and he fell, his outspread appendages sending counter top objects careening to the floor. Carmen covered her ears as the porcelain lamp shattered. Wincing, she took a knee at Aberddon’s side and put her trembling hand over her bite marks. She held her breath as she felt the blood beneath rushing through his veins, called forth a single word to the surface.
More
“No,” she shook the thought away and focused on Aberddon, pulling his head into her lap. The control had to be broken or he would remain immobile. “Stay still darling,” she whispered into his hair. Softly, she kissed his forehead and focused, unwinding the influences that bound him. Soon she felt him wiggle and watched his hand flex.
He flew to his feet, a blue-gray blur that stopped crouched with a few feet’s distance between them. Carmen waited, hand clasped at her breast, then reached out, stretching so her hand slid over his cheek. He looked into her eyes and relaxed.
“What happened?”
“I…” Carmen hooked her index fingers together and twisted them nervously. She sat in silence for a long moment, transfixed on her fingers. “Aberddon-”
His hand, large enough to nearly wrap around her head gently cupped her chin and tilted it back. She didn’t look at first, but slowly her eyes migrated to his warm gaze. He smiled comfortingly, closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers. He gently nudged once and then waited. Carmen stiffened, knowing the importance of such a gesture to a demon.
Once he secured her, Michael trudged forward. He wasn’t in good shape, so the extra weight was troublesome. Luckily, Rebecca was extremely light. She curled against him, bowing her head as the sun was swallowed by the earth. He felt her clutch his shirt and heard her whispering under her breath, pressing her face into his chest. Darkness covered the forest, but Michael walked this path so many times, he knew the way by heart. When he reached the small lake, Michael sighed in relief and headed toward the moonlit water, stopping only to drop the bags. After some maneuvering, he managed to toss their nightly supplies beside the old tree. He stood upright with much effort, adjusting Rebecca as her growing weight became noticeable. His arms trembled. Struggling, he made it to the water and walked waist deep.
“Here… we made it, see?” Michael offered Rebecca an encouraging smile as he released his hold on her. Rebecca returned the smile before disappearing into the water, “Another monthly mission accomplished, Michael,” he sighed to himself, wiping the sweat from his brow before climbing out of the lake, muttering, “I really didn’t want to get wet though…”
After grabbing a towel from his bag, Michael patted himself dry. It would take some time to dry, but he was thankful that the night air was warm. He laid the towel down on the grass beneath the tree, smoothed the lumps out and reached into his bag for his nightly entertainment. Relaxing, Michael pulled out his book and flipped to the bookmarked page. Leaning back against the familiar tree he read under the moonlight.
For a few minutes, he didn’t hear anything from the lake, but slowly faint little splashes began to surface in the quiet of night. It wasn’t till he heard her treading water that Michael looked over. Rebecca was swimming in slow circles, the moonlight illuminating the contentment on her pale face. He could tell that Rebecca was in the usual euphoric state that consumed her in the light of the full moon. She looked lovely in the water, but the moment he caught his stare turning into a gaze, Michael shook his head and returned to his book.
…
Hours passed and though Rebecca remained oblivious of Michael’s presence, Michael began to grow listless. His eyes drifted shut and his head lolled, hanging heavy to one side. Michael fell into a light sleep.
He awoke at the sound of a loud splash, caused by Rebecca’s fin hitting the water with a sharp smack. Jumping up, Michael let out a loud, startled gasp. Breathing rapidly, he looked around and adjusted his glasses. His first thought was that someone had discovered her and he scanned the area but was relieved to find no one. Smacking his lips he dragged his hand around to his collar, and sighed. He looked over his shoulder at the lake. After a few moments of neither movement nor noise, he stood, quietly tiptoed to the edge and scanned the water.
But something suddenly grabbed his ankle. He attempted to pull his leg back but only managed to stumble,
“Ah!” he yelped as fell flat on his bottom, gasping as he tried to calm his shocked nerves,
“Oh… Rebecca?”
Clutching his shirt, he looked down at her. Rebecca looked up, her eyes wide and glistening. She gave a small smirk as she rolled her bare shoulders- Michael snapped his eyes away and focused on the dirt, the rocks… anything. He tried pulling his ankle back, but her grip was strong. Michael slowed his breathing, remembering that the calmer he was the calmer she was.
“Is everything… okay?”
“It’s a little lonely out here,” she pouted, her hand sliding up to join the other. She looked at the water lovingly and then back at him with affection as she coiled her arms around his leg. hugging it, “come swim with me…”
“I’m not really in the mood for swimming at the moment, but thank you,” Michael chuckled nervously as she rested her cheek against his knee, “Uh… perhaps later,” he offered, lightly trying to shake his leg free, “I’m in the middle of a thrilling chapter at the moment, m-maybe when I reach the next one?”
“Oh,” Rebecca mused with a sneer, “reading one of your little romance books? You know I read that one already… I could elaborate on the plotline,” she pulled him towards her with ease, her mermaid strength outweighing his average physique. She pawed at his shirt as his leg was already dipping into the water, “Or… we could swim, you and I,” she cooed.
“That’s so kind of you to offer,” Michael bent over and placed his hands over hers, his eyes adverted. She allowed him to peel her hands away, though Michael held them gently in his palms, “I really would love to swim with you, dear… but I forgot my swimming shorts,” he lied, trying to make his smile genuine. The smile faltered as Rebecca’s brow furrowed in disapproval and she grabbed his wrists.
“You don’t really need swim shorts,” she replied. When Michael refused she grew bitter, “You never want to swim with me,” her face pinched in a sharp way, her smoothly pointed teeth showing.
“Now, now,” he soothed, certain his unease was starting to show, “ ‘never’ is a definite word. I used to swim with you all the time, don’t you remember?”
“You don’t anymore,” she pouted, tugging on his wrists, making him lurch forward, “Why not? Are you afraid?”
“Afraid… isn’t the word I would use,” Michael chuckled as he dug his heels into the earth in an attempt at holding her off, “You’re not scary, no not at all.” As his words calmed she lightened her grip, “on the contrary, Rebecca, you’re quite… affectionate,” his tone rose at the last word, blushing as he tried to pull his wrists free,
“Exactly,” she cheered softly, kissing his knuckle, “… I just want some company.”
“You use the term ‘company’ loosely,” Michael sighed, “Rebecca… please let my wrists go?”
“You’ll leave,” she moaned, her grip crawling up to his forearm, “Michael… I don’t want to be alone…”
Shutting his eyes, he buckled a bit, not being able to bear her need. Her state wasn’t her fault. Michael decided to give her some comfort. He motioned to lean in closer and set his palm on her head. Closing her eyes she began to hum a quiet, happy tune and the water around her rippled.
“I won’t leave you,” he whispered,
“Good…” her accent was still pouty, but she smiled and kissed his hand, “I love you.”
“Wh-wha…”
“I’m going to swim some more,” Rebecca rubbed her face against his hand like a cat, then released him. She missed his relieve as he fell back , pulling his leg from the water, “Now… you know we don’t have to swim-”
“Ah!” Michael rolled away from the shore, covering his ears, “Go swim! I’ll think about jumping in… t-to SWIM, but only if you go!”
Her face lit up, “Shy little human,” Rebecca giggled as she pushed herself back into the water.
…
As the sun rose, Michael packed everything up. By the time he was done, he heard Rebecca swimming up to the shore. She peeked at him, only slightly above the surface. Michael left her clothes on the sand, covered his eyes and turned around. Rebecca scampered out of the water and put a hand on his shoulder when she was dressed
“Thank you,” she said, looking at the ground and blushing as he turned around, “I’m sorry…”
“No, no no no,” he waved his arms around as if to bat away her apology, “don’t … that’s what friends are for, to look out for one another, right?” he smiled and she blushed, “Ahem?” he coughed into his hand nervously and gathered the bags, “I’ll get these, your legs are probably still… tingly, right?”
“Only a little,” she smiled, running her hand over the back of her neck, “but thank you.”
“Come on,” he nodded, jerking his head towards town, “Let’s go back to the shop and I’ll whip something up. You’re hungry right?”
“Starving!” she exclaimed, “I’ve been swimming all night, you have no idea!”
Michael laughed and offered her his hand as they stepped over a fallen tree. Rebecca smiled. With the rising sun, Michael forgot about the night’s events, or at least he pretended to. As they walked back for Michael’s promised breakfast Rebecca remained silent. Michael talked endlessly about a book he’d read to fill the silence. Absolute silence made him uneasy, the cause for his many conversations with himself.
She didn’t mind him talking, actually. She savored the sound of his voice. Rebecca jumped when he placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned to him with wide eyes, blushing.
“Hey,” he chuckled, “You okay?”
“… yeah,” she nodded, eyes darting away.
“Still all tingly?” he asked
She looked at him again, her hand gripping her dress, “Yeah… tingly”
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