RAVENOUS

Caroline Mendez . 32 . Mortician

[astraearinehart]

──Stella looked at the stranger as she responded to her, a smirk tugging on the corner of her lips. head tilted slightly towards her newfound company as her voice dropped a little, tone just above a whisper. “darling, from the looks of it this is not even their first time,” she responded, confidently. if there was one thing she was very good at that would be reading people, and even more so when it meant she could possibly use something against them for her own personal gain. now, should it be the case, she shouldn’t be gossiping about this, but she has little use for any gossip that concerns American industrialists.

“look,” she elaborated, words spoken against the rim of her glass; she took a sip, held her drink in hand as she continued with a “see, the way they are comfortable being close, or the subtle touches?” her blue eyes shifted from the couple in question to the younger woman beside her with a smirk for a moment. “and that damn fool over there,” she gestured again only with a slight inclination of her head before her gaze followed to point the man out, “it’s the little slut’s husband,” she laughed.

[mostravenous]

Carolina’s eyes followed along as the woman spoke and pointed, moving from the adulterous wife to a few others around the room. A cocktail of names and scandals. She was interested and intrigued by the knowledge this stranger had and knew about, but the more this blonde divulged, the more Carolina’s piqued interest fell upon her bar buddy and who exactly she was.

“And what about you?” she asked with a playful smirk, shifting from where she had been leaning over the bar and now turned to face her entire being towards her. “Are you anyone of interest with dirty secrets of your own?”

[elizabeaufort]

⸻ It was one of the first days, in days she was feeling a bit better. She had dropped the twins at the daycare and felt the desire to have tea. She went to one of the local coffee shops, it was one time to times she visited. Much to her surprise the place was crowded, but she really wanted her tea, call it cravings… Besides she was pregnant with twins. Her baby bump was visible now but a tad small. She noticed a booth with a brunette in it, a place empty across from her. This was the only booth that wasn't so 'crowded' per se. ❛ Hi, do you mind if I sit here? The rest of the place is so packed. ❜ She asked timidly, and gently at the woman before her.

[mostravenous]

Just before she could slide out of the booth, a stranger approached, halting Carolina’s hasty exit and distracting her for the briefest of moments. “Sure, I was just leaving,” she’d spoken, barely acknowledging the other woman as she slid into the seat across from her. Just as she did, a small group of college co-eds seemed to appear from nowhere and pack themselves in a small table nearby, effectively blocking Carolina from leaving her seat. Caught by surprise at the sudden human blockade, she blinked, then turned to the stranger in mild confusion.

Had Carolina been in a more friendly mood, she’d have found the humor in this comical moment. She’d have chuckled at the tropey situation then excuse herself. But being caught off guard was a rarity to Carolina, and to have it happen to her by starving—and no doubt—caffeine-pumped students in the back of a coffee shop, came with a feeling she wasn’t too familiar with.

Embarrassment.

Luckily, she’d also never been one to experience panic, and so in an attempt to collect herself and replace the awkwardness with reserve, Carolina released a soft sigh and made herself comfortable again.

“Fuck me, I guess I’m not leaving.”

[leemalkovich]

At a staggering six-foot-five, with hands that had seen horror and eye that had worshipped them, Lee believes he can handle her just fine.

"You don't strike me as the sort to be handled, love."

They make it outside, and to where his Mustang is parked. 1967, black, and English-made. He holds the door open for her on the left side, then gets behind the wheel on the right.

After the champagne tasting, perhaps it isn't advisable to be driving — but his tolerance has been built high over the years.

"Lee," he offers then, a few blocks into their drive. Right hand lazily guiding the wheel, while his other arm drapes over the seat the woman occupies. "Have you got a name?"

[mostravenous]

For much of the ride, she focuses on the route he takes. She’s careful not to hunt too close to home and so typically avoids the Manhattan area. She’s relieved when she notices they’re heading towards Brooklyn Bridge, but that doesn’t stop her from still mapping out her own route for the end of the night. She knows she’ll have to walk a good few blocks away before using a ride share or taxi but that’s not always a simple thing to do when she’s carrying a few organs or a limb.

“Miranda,” she lies with a smile, her attention pulled back onto him. She follows the length of his arm; the one stretched behind her seat and decides that’ll be what she takes from him tonight. The meat there is tough, but it only means she’ll have to braise rather than roast.

She knows he must feel how heavy her gaze is, eyes exploring the rest of him, gaging if there’s anything more she wants from him—and if she’s greedy, she’ll take his tongue too—but she also knows that her lingering hungry eyes translates well under the city lights and the shadows they play on her face. It either enhances or mutes the gleam in her eyes and both work in her favor.

[leemalkovich]

There's something about these Metropolitan walls, and the adrenaline they instill upon its guests. It triggers debates, conflict, and yes — flirting. No surprise there.

"Aye, I do," he says. "How's your tolerance for English liquor, darling?"

He hadn't sought out to kill tonight, but there she is, practically draping herself over the dinner table — insisting to be cut open like an ungodly offering.

"Breath taking, you are." A waiter passes and collects his champagne flute. Eyes fixed upon the woman, Lee pays him no mind. "I'd be honoured if you'd fancy to join me at my home." Brooklyn, is where his loft is. "My car is parked outside."

[mostravenous]

“I can manage them just fine,” she answered. Though she didn’t care much for the taste of strong spirits, one could never tell by the way she could handle her liquors. A genetic predisposition she’d most likely inherited from her alcoholic father, and the alcoholic grandfather before him. No, she preferred more sweet flavors to the bitters, a taste more in agreement with her dangerous palate. But he needn’t know the particulars.

“Can you manage me?” She wanted him eager, blind with anticipation, even if just a little. An eager man moved fast, made them sloppy, and men in her experience were always eager when a challenge was put on the table, distracted them with proving themselves that they’d never see her true intentions coming until it was too late. "Breath taking, you are." And oh, how very right he was.

"Guide me out, then."

[astraearinehart]

──even though it has felt more like taking a break since she had arrived in New York ( she still tried to get some work done, but being so far away from home and her everyday routine made it easy to get distracted ), Stella was never one to turn down the opportunity to dress up and attend a business event —especially not if she had some interest in it, an ulterior motive. having lost her companion to some boring old men conversing about some potential future business plans, she is quick to excuse herself and head to the bar, which is by far her favorite thing about the whole event; it didn’t hurt that it was an open bar either.

glass in hand, she is leaning up against the bar, sipping her drink as her blue eyes observe the attendees. She likes to do that, too; Stella enjoys it when her observation or resources lead her to something she could use against any of them at some point, a leverage, a sure way to get what she wants when she will need to employ that information, use it against them. a smirk formed on her lips, now pressed against the rim of her glass once more, gaze shifted to the female approaching. “look at that man over there,” she began —never not shy to strike up a conversation or gossip— her gaze rested on the man in question. “he has been trying to chat up Blackwell’s wife all evening,” she laughed, took another ship of her drink. “or more like,” blue eyes shifted to the woman briefly, “has been, because she seems a little interested…”

[mostravenous]

Before she’s even handed her drink, her attention is quickly pulled to the stranger beside her, taking her appearance in before she’s following the woman’s line of sight to the secretive couple and watching as they laugh, and sly touches are exchanged. Carolina isn’t sure she knows who Blackwell, or his wife are; much less the man trying to pursue her for the evening, but she does know that if other’s know someone by one’s name—more so one’s surname—they’re worth something.

“Think it’s innocent flirtation, or will they hook up tonight?” Caro asks, uncapping her bottle and taking a few sips, allowing the pretty stranger to claim her as company if it means she’ll share more exploitable observations from the night.

[suresh-lal]

Lies came in lots of different shapes. There were the lies that could completely fill the void that the truth had been pulled out of. But for this there would be no lie that could quiet every question. Nothing that a sharp eye and a sharper mind wouldn't be able to recognize. And she had both. However there were lies that could be acceptable when the truth would not serve in anyone's best interest. And that was the lie Suresh had offered Carolina. The easy excuse to rationalize and then look past.

He would still have to wait to cremate the body now. Rushing it off would be even more suspicious. But also leaving something that could be photographed was not something he wanted to do either. Running though different scenarios of how to approach the problem. But Carolina also moved about the room with little change outwardly to her patterns. No noticeable tension. He turned when she said that the other two were in their correct place. "At least we don't have to worry about the dead rising tonight." Nodding his head as he moved Mrs. Owen's body and then stood for a beat, in the cool stillness of the room. "You're welcome. I'll talk to the attendants that made the mistake." And their eyes met, dark and deep, two sharks slowly circling, enigmatic before she spoke. And Suresh let himself smile at the joke, "Carolina, you are one of the people I've never had to worry about, for any reason. I hope that never changes." He paused before adding, "I'll just do a quick inspection of the drawers and leave you to yourself."

He moved through each drawer efficiently, checking them against the list on the whiteboard hanging on the wall. Working quietly and separately from Carolina because he had never had to look over her shoulder before, he wouldn't do it now. He thought about what he knew about Carolina, the basics, no red flags, but she was very self-contained even after so long. The kind of person that flew under the radar. And kept to themself. He walked back over to the mortician after he was done and said, "Everything else seems to be correct. If you notice anything else wrong, please let me know, I'll be in the office for a while tonight." After he stepped out of the room he would send a flurry of messages. Setting up a surveillance tag on her. Better safe than sorry. Though he would hate to lose such a long standing employee and talented mortician.

[mostravenous]

She knew it was a compliment, but considering the incident, it hung in the air like a mild threat. Had Carolina not been as composed as her temperament allowed her, she’d have laughed and let herself go red. But it seemed he still trusted her, and whatever suspicions and doubts he might have had earlier dissipated along with the tension in the room. So, she set to work, losing herself in her task as the sound of Suresh rummaging through the drawers behind her became white noise. By the time she had gotten done wiring Mrs. Owen’s mouth shut and setting the rest of her features, Suresh was taking his leave.

The rest of the evening passed with no further interruptions as Carolina repeated the process of embalming and cosmetizing the rest of the bodies, then busied herself with the paperwork until the end of her shift. If Suresh had come by to peek at her, she hadn’t noticed.

Collecting her things, along with the proper folders, she switched off the lights and headed straight to Suresh’s office.

[leemalkovich]

Indeed, he would. If Lee weren't so comfortable with death, he wouldn't spend most of his life entangled in it.

Are you good company?

It's the trickiest question of all. "I'm awful company if you're good," he says. "And I'm great company if you're bad."

[mostravenous]

“Guess we’re both just gonna have to find out,” she grinned, entertained by her companions teasing. Carolina could begin to feel something stir low at the pit of her stomach, stretching awake. Most would identify it with arousal, but she had associated it with hunger. Both triggered a gluttonous craving that left her aching, and she reached out to relieve some of that pressure just in case she had to play the long game with him; a hand snaking up against his arm.

“Though, something tells me you might have more interesting drink options at your place.” She suggests. “Champagne is for friends and newlyweds. I think we deserve something darker.”

[oathkeptmusings]

darker vibes

❛ i would let you rip me apart if it meant loving you. ❜

❛ this fear you feel? it won’t last. ❜

❛ you are my salvation. ❜

❛ i revolt you, don’t i? ❜

❛ get the hell away from me. ❜

❛ i want to sink my teeth into every inch of you. ❜

❛ i’ll be your dirty little secret, if that’s what you’re into. ❜

❛ worship me. until i tell you to stop. ❜

❛ don’t you know how sick with love i am for you? ❜

❛ fucking hit me already. ❜

❛ i would burn the world for you. ❜

❛ i don’t want to be good, no matter how hard you wish it. ❜

❛ i don’t know how you’ve bewitched me, but it needs to stop. ❜

❛ fix me. ❜

❛ they die for love, you kill for it. ❜

❛ you are mine, whether you agree or not. ❜

❛ do you like it when i bleed for you? ❜

❛ i will keep hurting. i will keep killing. anything to protect you. ❜

❛ i’m starved for you, morning and night. ❜

❛ now i get to ravish you. ❜

❛ i am your god and your executioner. ❜

❛ you are doing so well, my pet. ❜

❛ you’re my sweetest poison. ❜

❛ let’s do something about that mouth of yours. ❜

❛ your fascination with me will be your death. ❜

❛ you’re the monster that’s enticed me into your bed. ❜

❛ all you can say are pretty lies. ❜

❛ the fucked up thing is that it isn’t enough to just love you. ❜

❛ you’ve broken me. all i can think about is you. ❜

❛ you’ll beg for more. ❜

❛ an eternity with you would never satisfy me. ❜

❛ i would gladly let you drag me to hell. ❜

❛ everything i’ve done.. every horrible atrocity, it’s been for you. ❜

❛ you’re a fucking nightmare. kiss me. ❜

❛ feel grateful that i allow you to touch me. ❜

❛ every time your lips touch my skin, you burn me from the inside out. ❜

❛ there’s no black or white, only gray. ❜

❛ no one touches what’s mine. ❜

❛ make me indifferent, make me horrible. ❜

❛ i could never be the one to love you. i can only be the one that kills you. ❜

❛ your lips are poison, your laugh a curse. ❜

[mostravenous]

broken record player

what regrets does your muse have? if they could go back and change that event / the past in general, would they? (random character headcanons, vol i)

none yet, though I suppose she'd find regret in allowing herself to be vulnerable in front of others

[mostravenous]

ball pit

what does your muse do for fun? (random character headcanons, vol i )

she finds enjoyment in sitting down with a good book, cooking and learning new recipes, live music and theatre, the thrill of a hunt.

[mostravenous]

hopscotch — does your muse like to work out? if not, how else do they move their body from day to day?

random character headcanons, vol i

not particularly. carolina was made for lounging. she's like a cat in that way. she does enjoy swimming laps though.

[mostravenous]

For: Stella (@astraearinehart) Location: Nondescript venue

These things were never really entertaining. A giant space occupied mostly by men, who only cared to talk about what they were drinking, what they had, what they drove, how much they made. Nothing helpful that Carolina could use to determine who would be her main course, like who was currently having an affair, what illegal associations they had or who had a gambling debt? Information that when their bodies were eventually found could be connected back to a jaded lover or crooked business partner.

These things weren’t mentioned in passing or regular conversation, Caro had to coax answers out with alcohol and leading questions, but it always had to start with feigned interests on the more mundane topics, like sales and investments. She still enjoyed it though, despite the lackluster conversations happening around her. It was like hunting. One had to have patience and be strategic.

But taking a break was inevitable, less she grow annoyed and lose her appetite and arrive home without dinner plans for the next night. So, she’d sauntered over to the other side of the room where the open bar was located and took a seat and requested a bottle of water.

[mostravenous]

For: Adelaide (@brushstrokcs) Location: The MET

It was rare for the museum to be this empty. One had to frequent the place often to determine the best time to peruse the art without the usual chatter that filled the rooms. Wednesday mornings, Carolina had found, were best for her temperament. They had an incredible Greek and Roman collection that she could spend hours in, and the Hotel de Crillon boudoir space with its tufted furniture and delicately painted walls she’d sometimes find herself fantasizing about. But it was the European sculptures she always found her way back to. More specifically, the statue of Ugolino and His Sons.

She enjoyed the deep pools of shadow against the white marble and the entwining of limbs; the details of the toes the knotted back and the impressions of the grip on Ugolino’s leg. But it was the expressions on all their faces that Carolina liked most: Ugolino’s anticipation of doom as he eats his nails and bites at his fingers. The boys, begging to be eaten. The youngest peaceful in his death, or on his way. And with every single visit, and rotation around the piece, Carolina never failed to discover an incredible new detail.

[angelprompts]

random character headcanons, vol i   ♡   happy developing ᵔᴗᵔ

teddy bear — does your muse have any treasured possessions? what makes it so special?

scratched cd — what genre of music does your muse hate? if someone happens to turn on that genre, will they tolerate it or leave the room?

dried paint brush — how creative is your muse? do they create anything with said creativity or are they considered 'wasted potential'?

playground equipment — what's a childhood memory, whether it's liked or not, that stands out to your muse? why does it stand out among the rest?

candy bracelet — does your muse prefer chocolate, hard candy or chewy candy? do they even like sweets at all?

broken record player — what regrets does your muse have? if they could go back and change that event / the past in general, would they?

ball pit — what does your muse do for fun?

orange creamsicle — what's a topic your muse could talk about for hours? is there a reason this particular topic means so much to them?

hopscotch — does your muse like to work out? if not, how else do they move their body from day to day?

flimsy fairy wings — did your muse used to celebrate / dress up for halloween as a child? if yes, what's a costume they remember wearing (and did they pick out or did their parents)?

instant messenger — if it's not already taken, what is your muse's go-to username?

[leemalkovich]

"Are no men alive worthy of such title?" He asks, half-jest. "or must one cross death for a chance at it?" There are many honors which only the reaper can pass on; post-humous fame, respect, and even love.

She has got, Lee thinks as he finds her eye, quite a mind. That same gaze travels, catching the way her hands play with her dress, her earrings. "As for myself, darling, I'm only a poet after a third," he quips, motioning with his empty champagne flute. The perfect segue to, "Would you fancy one?"

[mostravenous]

Her response, ‘would you like to find out,’ went unsaid but the teasing smile and the glint in her eyes spoke it in volumes if one knew how to look. Only the translation of it could easily be mistaken for something less dangerous. But she’d let him interpret it how he wanted and determine how the night ended.

“I only drink in good company,” she answered back, shifting herself to face him fully, inviting—no, tempting—him to be more curious about her and what she had to offer him for the rest of the evening. “Are you good company?”

[intxication]

Tension was still high but Mathias couldn't wait any longer. He needed to kill again or else he was going to go crazy. He asked nicely for an easy target, wanting to work his way back up to the more high profile people. He figured that was a fair trade off for what he had done. His target tonight was a butcher, supposedly. Mathias didn't really care about the details of the man, nor did he care about his shady business or not. He was there to do one thing and one thing only.

To kill.

He had packed all his gear and was ready to go, heading to his targets address. The great thing about kills in homes like this was that there was limited security. Mathias didn't have to fight through some hired guns and fists, he could just pretend he was there to deliver something and he'd be granted access. It really said something about the lack of safety that some didn't realize they had.

Later on Mathias would say that the events that transpired happened because he had been too eager. He knew it would be easy for him, so he didn't bother to stalk or scope out the place first. The first thing he had noticed was that his target wasn't alone, and then that the person his target was with was killing him. What a shame. Usually Mathias would have been sour about missing out on a kill, but he found this more interesting.

He made his way in, sneaking and quietly sticking to the shadows. And he watched. The woman was impressive with a knife and taking a tongue was an interesting choice. He cleared his throat and waved a gloved hand.

"Having fun?"

[mostravenous]

Her head snapped in the direction of the voice, eyes scanning the shadows of the room until they adjusted and focused on the being lurking there. This had never happened before. Had it, Carolina would have been more inclined to search the home for more occupants before shoving a spike through the man’s skull.

How long had he been standing there? How much did he see?

She assumed from his vantage point, the stranger couldn’t see her victim’s body from where it laid behind the kitchen island, but she could only count on that, if he hadn’t already witnessed the whole thing, which she couldn’t be sure of. So, she didn’t speak. Wouldn’t until she could figure out who he was, what he was doing there.

Was this the dead man’s roommate? She doubted it. Men of her victim’s generation gripped on to their independence, and Carolina had already concluded that he was married by the wedding band he hadn’t even attempted to hid from her. Maybe a son? Visiting and invited to stay at the family’s second location? A live in lover? She wouldn’t have been too surprised at that one. But it was the calm way he announced his presence that had her most on alert.

So, she would let him be the brave one. Let him do the talking and the creeping closer. Let him think they had the upper hand as she stayed stoic and still like a deer, her fingers slowly rewrapping themselves around the ice pick again.

[fcotdextra]