A painter who's famous for works that are ominous and depict the death of a character in various ways, ranging from vicious and gruesome to serene and peaceful
No one's ever seen their face
Except the subject of all their paintings aren't actually a character or fixation, but rather themself.
Notes/warnings: sfw, noncon drugging, noncon nonsexual nudity, reader is called a girl (Jervis is canonically disconnected from sexuality and gender), reader is called Alice, bathing, light blood mention, whump?
Palladium; a silvery white and malleable element used in machinery and computers. Out of the Platinum Group, it has the lowest melting point and is the least dense.
“Such a silly girl, Alice.” The all too familiar and thin voice sang. High off the remaining Succinylcholine you lay limply in the already dirty bath water. Jervis has removed his gloves and coat to take a rag and wash away the dirt and bloody scratches over your body. “All those thorns must've been terrible, why did you want to play in the garden again?”
Of course you hadn't been playing in the garden, instead trying to escape once again. To no avail, nonetheless and to your dismay. His henchmen had grabbed you before you could truly get through the bushes. You couldn't give him a proper answer, just a loopy mumble of nonsense.
Jervis moved his hands to your legs. The soapy rag burned in some deeper cuts, of which made the Hatter tut at every displeased groan from your throat. “Just behave. We're not done yet, dear Alice.” The rag circled over your calves slowly and methodically. Rose scented soapy water didn't feel as comfortable as it would be if he was here.
Next was your hair, his favorite part of you. A thick glob of shampoo is lathered in his hands before he runs them through your hair and to your scalp. It seems he was going at such a snail's pace just to feel it more. You wanted to pull away, to yell at him or slap him, but instead let out a sluggish huff of protest.
“Hush, dear. Relax for me, just go back to that sleepy little space in your head. I do have to apologize, I didn't mean to give you so much.” He pouted. Rinsing his hands in the water momentarily, he continues, “Nitrous Oxide is so hard to get these days, I hope you can forgive me when you come to your senses.” He carefully tilts your chin and begins to rinse your hair.
Finally it was time for the conditioner, then this session would be over. Unlike the shampoo, he only used a small dollop. He had begun to hum to himself. “After this, it's snuggle time. Maybe I should up that dosage, though…”
You had played before, of course. Some would even say you were quite good. But you'd never played with something so important on the line. It was a family heirloom, the last piece of your mother. She had passed it on to you, but before you'd had a chance to claim it, your step-father had pawned it. After that happened, you never expected to see it again.
But when you saw the one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry worn by one of the VIPs entering a crowded casino, you'd done everything you could to sit at the same table as them. It hadn't been an easy task, but now you had a chance to win it back.
The game had been heated. You won the first two rounds, your heart pounding at the sums your opponent was able to bet with. The third round, you removed a heavyset gold ring from your finger and placed it on the table. It was beautiful, inlaid with diamonds. You had stolen it from your step-father before you'd left home.
"Why don't we throw in something a little more personal?" You recommended boldly.
Your opponent's eyes narrowed, fingers touching the piece you had been looking for. Obviously, they had noticed your longing gazes. But, cruelly, they plucked a ring from their finger instead, placing it in the center.
You opened your mouth to protest, but they held up a long finger, "Nothing on this table is worth the piece you're after."
"Then what is?" You demanded.
Their eyes glittered, "You have only one thing to bet that is of equal value."
"Name it."
With a grin that seemed inhuman, they growled, "Yourself."
You stared, eyes widening in shock. But, as you looked over your cards, you decided it was a gamble you had to take. It was unlikely that they would win this round. "Fine."
They placed your mother's jewelry on the table, eyes shining with a sort of glee. With your heart pounding in your chest, you resumed the round.
The ship was loaded with supplies and ready to be sent off, gently rocking in the harbour. X watched, carefully marking who boarded and left. Barely an hour before they were due to sail, Y sat beside them and took the notebook wordlessly. They had barely glanced through the pages before a sword touched their backs. “I don’t like spies,” Z said softly.