#unmerciful-disaster

[burnslikehunger]

@unmerciful-disaster continued from here

Cinder frowned at her subordinate’s response. “Hmm... Too obvious?” She commented, disappointment evident in her voice. “Either I’m losing my touch or you’re becoming ever more attentive to my subtle cues. That’s a shame. I had planned out an entire day. I was going to commit to the act fully, only to announce my deception at the very end. But if you’ve already caught on then there’s very little point in that.”

[teamlarl]

@unmerciful-disaster continued from here

Adrastia knew she had just struck a hell of a nerve. How couldn’t she? The other girl made a valiant effort of trying to appear unaffected, but Adrastia’s violet eyes were keen. She saw how startled Emerald’s gaze was. She saw the conflict written all over the thief’s face as she wracked her head for a proper comeback, before settling on acting like it didn’t bother her at all.

But it did bother her. Anyone who had spent even five minutes around Emerald knew as much.

And so, Adrastia ignored the dismissive comment and soldiered on. “How does one even love someone like her?” She questioned. “We’re nothing more than her little wind-up toys. You see it in Roman, in Mercury, in me... in you. She doesn’t care about any of us, and yet you’re in love with her. Why? Is it because she’s pretty? You don’t strike me as nearly that shallow.”

[burnslikehunger]

@unmerciful-disaster

“And where exactly have you been? I was looking for you last night, I required your assistance with some personal matters. Except when I searched your room you were nowhere to be found. It took running into Mercury to learn that you had decided to venture out into the night... without informing me. I expect answers, Emerald. What in the four kingdoms were you doing?”

[burnslikehunger]

@unmerciful-disaster

“You’ve made the necessary preparations, yes?” Cinder asked her most loyal subordinate, without bothering to so much glance in her general direction. She knew that Emerald was listening with rapt attention. Instead, the nascent Fall Maiden was far more concerned with how well manicured her nails are. One must always look their best, after all.

“You know what day it is.” Lover’s Day. A celebration of all things lovey-dovey in this world. Oh it was ridiculous, don’t get her wrong, but it was also an excuse... An excuse to be thoroughly pampered in every way possible. And who better to do the pampering than the servant that knew her best? That could address her whims before she even knew she had them?

“I expect your best efforts in this, Emerald. Don’t waste this opportunity. And if you please me... Then I might even reward you, provided I’m in a pleasant enough mood.”

[burnslikehunger]

@unmerciful-disaster continued from here

Make no mistake, Cinder was fuming. Roman’s latest heist to acquire some much needed dust for her plans had once again gone poorly. While it was true that the thief had gone out of his way to more than make up for it (because he knew his life was forfeit otherwise), the fact remained that he had been repeatedly drawing attention to himself. Which in turn could draw attention to her. That was not something Cinder liked to contemplate, but it seemed that Roman enjoyed forcing her hand.

How on Remnant did he run into Atlas’ little wind up doll?

Naturally she couldn’t outwardly voice such thoughts. She couldn’t take her anger out on poor, hapless Roman. He was too useful for that. Nor could she allow herself to show any weakness to her other subordinates. So, whenever she was upset like this she kept to herself, working through such petty emotions until she calmed down and could once more be effective.

After all, it wouldn’t do to set random grunts on fire.

But of course there was Emerald, dear little Emerald, who wanted nothing more than to make her master feel better. It spoke to how well she had indoctrinated the girl that the thief would risk her wrath just at a chance to please her.

“Get on your knees.” Cinder ordered her bluntly. But perhaps there were better ways to calm herself. “You want to help me feel better? Then give me a foot massage.” They had been confined in her heels all day and they were killing her.

[burnslikehunger]

@unmerciful-disaster

“Don’t listen to what dear Mercury had to say. He’s lying. He’s jealous. He hated his father and his father hated him. He can’t understand what we have. He doesn’t realize how important you are to me, my precious Emerald.”

[teamlarl]

@unmerciful-disaster

“Okay, what the fuck is your problem?”

[burnslikehunger]

@unmerciful-disaster continued from here

Cinder smiled softly, though as always there was a hint of arrogance to it. Even her genuine smiles never seemed to reach her eyes. Her fingers traced the edge of the crate and she took a step closer to Emerald, her ever loyal servant. “You look glum, dear. Why is that?” Cinder approached, and she expected an answer. She hummed softly and easily closed the gap between them, but left just enough space for Emerald that the other wouldn’t feel trapped.

She was, of course, but that was in a grander sense.

“You did well tonight, Emerald. Everything went off without a hitch. This more than makes up for your previous folly... Yet you don’t seem all too enthused about it. Didn’t you want to get back into my good graces?”