A figure cloaked in black fabric and a smattering of jewelry and lace reclines lazily on a throne at the end of the chamber. The two of you briefly lock eyes, and she smiles warmly. The captain speaks up. "Baroness, we have come to defeat you and stave off your influence on the surface. Also you've got like hella cash and I want it."
She opens her mouth to speak, eyes glowing a deep red and fangs laid bare. "Foolish AND greedy, I see. Very well. Do your worst, you poor whelps." The battle ensues, thralls clamber out of the hallways either side of our party, and the baroness is tough as nails. The rest become distracted with hogging the action against the thralls, having to be reminded multiple times to use nonlethal force since these "poor souls" are commonfolk under her spell. In the meantime, for just a brief moment, you see her eyes again. A flash of red gives way to a dull throbbing pink light, and a voice slithers into your head.
"Let's see what we're working with...."
Something, presumably the baroness, is rummaging around in your mind. You grow anxious at the prospect of being seen so deeply, and then realize you should probably be worried about getting mind controlled instead.
"Your priotities are certainly interesting, little one. Don't fret. My thralls are treated well here, despite the brutes who come to pilfer my coffers."
She speaks again, softer than she did out loud. Almost...... comfortably. Soothingly. You quickly cover up the thought of being overheard or interrupted.
"Tsk tsk," she chastizes you for keeping secrets (or trying to), "You ought to know that wouldn't stop me. So to ease your mind, I have your ,"friends" occupied just fine. Besides, this is all in your head, little morsel."
She crosses an arm over her chest to rest a finger on her chin, tilting her head to take you in even further. You feel naked, and in a way that confuses you more than frightening you.
"I see. You're more interesting than i thought. I think I've taken a liking to you, O Brave Knight. Come find me again once you're alone. Don't be late~"
Her eyes dim and you feel someone shaking you awake. "Oh good. Man, if I was just a few minutes late that vampire baroness would have hypnotized you and made you her thrall or something! Good thing you can always count on me, ey bro?"
Now that you've been released, you notice that the vampire's forces are overwhelming the party. Hastily, you all retreat up a ladder in the back of the room, and come out in a shady alleyway nearby the guild hall. "Sure was a close one, right? Cmon let's get going, the next round's on you since we didn't get any of her loot." You all make your way to a bar, battered and beaten. You order your usual apple cider, quietly and under your breath to the barkeep. The boys have been encouraging you to drink beer, and you don't wanna deal with their shit tonight. The barkeep is informed that you're footing the bill, by an overly rambunctious guild captain. Not worth committing to memory.
In bed, later that night, you lie awake and stare into the headband you swiped from that mimic. Frilly, black and white, little pink bows on the sides, surprisingly good condition for something in a mimic's stomach. You haven't put it back on yet. You're still afraid that it will fit you perfectly. The baroness's words bounce around in your head. Being called little should make you angry! Being favored by a vampire, a monster, should make you want to repent. But whether it be by magic or by your own mind, it doesnt sound so bad to be hers.
In the night, you sneak out with your bag. Sword at your hip, armor doffed long ago, alcohol in your system, and a mental note of that dungeon's back entrance engraved on your mind. You have to know what she meant. What she wants.
