Don't be mistaken in separating Verith from Invidis, they are very much so the same person.
Every time the contract meetings are held, the vice grip tightens; a Curfew for nine becomes a curfew for eight, exceptions for when their soldiers are nearby, Working at their offices became working in their penthouse only.
It's only a matter of time until this contract becomes a life sentence to home arrest, it's already a conservatatorship - or just a plain dictatorship for one.
Not that they care about how you feel about this. Whenever the document is presented, either you sign right away or it's a multi-hour long debate that they run circles around you that ends with the arrival of their "armed forces" the day after.
Because Verith always tries the legal way first. Less trouble for them, more work for you to get out of this. Exhausting, naturally.
But just because the law and the criminal underworld corner you on every front, doesn't mean you're out of options - for even a cornered rat is dangerous.
Law books abound in tomes of dried skin you can't trust to all be from cows, you can study, and if you're asked about it from your observers, well, you have to have something to talk to your captor about.
You can study for a way out, and placate them with being able to keep up with their courts, know the terms used between the judges, juries and executioners that surround the two of you. They know what you're doing, but it's fun for them the fox they are, watching you try to escape the maze you were placed in after a motivator was placed, an exit sought where there is none.
...Because even destruction cannot break these encroaching walls brought up.
You found the contract. You found your contracts. It took effort, but not too much, Your shaky hands flipping through folders in their currently empty office found the folder of contracts, hidden behind piles upon piles, held in a most ornate folder.
No time to waste, you have to burn it.
Leave no ashes, burn those too - Verith has a pipe, they'll have a lighter or two somewhere- And you'll have a way forward-
And that's when it's asked.
"And what do you think you're doing, Dearest?"
The predator's claw pierces the prey's neck as you turn around to look.
Funny how one push can break everything. Funny how the sight of them can make you tremble as soon as they harden their gaze. It's not funny how their smile is always the same.
Bleeding out now, you can feel their breath on your neck, their fingers rhythmically tapping your shoulder, comforting your failed attempt that they brought upon you.
"I have backups in so many other locations, destroying it is futile, Dearest."
They chuckle as your grave opened up beneath your feet, swallowed you whole. Verith plucks the folder from your hand, plucks your hope before it can even start to bud, waving it before their face.
And that's what turns a bad situation worse, because only when they hide their smile,
do you know that Verith is truly and utterly delighted.
"You must know, I only keep these papers because your original signiature's on there, dearest."
