#xenoverse.

[unpossession]

@holyrots

"I may not be actively listening for your thoughts, but I am still -- passively aware of your leering, Mr. Vespertine."

[unpossession]

@holyrots said: "there's no need to fib."

"I'm not fibbing." Another sip of wine, perhaps hiding behind her glass. Willow does enjoy the confusion simmering below Ileana's clipped words. "We haven't so much as held hands since meeting. Why? Does that surprise you? I'm sure you must hate those."

[unpossession]

@holyrots

Her nose picks it up first. Willow’s other senses, while keen, are not as sharp as the all encompassing hunger that keeps her sniffing the air for something to sink her teeth into. There’s blood, a muted terror nearby; Willow is walking toward the source as though in a dream. With no thought for what she might do when she gets there, it’s a very stupid idea - but she is only half-aware of herself. Only half-conscious of the concept of consequence.

“Hello?” It’s close now. Her mouth is watering. “Is somebody there?”

[unpossession]

@holyrots sent 💏 for a kiss … in secrecy.

LA feels more like a trap than ever. With the pressure of Kazimir's cold gaze still lingering on her - even days later, even in the safety of her own home - Willow feels like no matter where she wanders she is caged. Her house, the grocery store, the library. There is always someone there. A spy, a street-surveillance camera that winks knowingly down at her, a singular red eye glinting in the dark. The city seems to laugh at her with every echoed footstep she takes.

Still, life goes on; Willow has a book deal to fulfil and social engagements to attend. She turns each corner pretending that she isn't just a little bit terrified, like any moment now she might be snatched up for an audience with the man that snatched her thoughts out of the air.

As such, she pretends that she doesn't notice the expensive car parked in front of her house as she heads home from the bookstore this evening, but makes a big show of pressing her back against the door when she makes it inside.

Silence now, aside from the black cat purring at her feet.

Like everything in Willow's house, the doorbell is soft when it rings. She still startles hard enough to scare the cat away, into the depths of the house. Three heartbeats go by before the door rings again. She turns slowly to the glass panel separating her from her guest.

Willow sees the smile first. It's charming, smug, familiar. He knows he's up to no good.

"Sebastian?!" His thoughts are a frenzied cacophony of smooth greetings he can't seem to get out. Sebastian asks of her: just a little hospitality. She thinks she must be dreaming. "Come inside -- you can't be here, somebody will see you--"

I had to see you. He explains in his favourite, silent language. Still smiling like nothing in the world can touch him.

She answers this in her favourite language; pulling him through the door as their lips collide in a kiss she can't stop smiling through.

[unpossession]

@holyrots

“Ileana. I have a question that I am afraid I will put you on edge. But I must ask.”

[unpossession]

@glacierfront said: seems like you haven't learned anything, huh?

Willow laughs, covering her face with her palms as she shakes and shakes and shakes her head. Okay, gaining proximity to men with an appetite for blood has not resulted in the most savoury of outcomes for anyone. However --

"It's not my fault! I'm a magnet!" And she likes them, and the way that they like her, and the strange magic she works over their dark minds. She's a dark creature all on her own; like calls to like; she feels most comfortable by the side of someone who might tear into her at any time. What's so bad about that? "But -- but. I am being so careful. And cool about everything. If you weren't working that night you wouldn't have even known..."

[unpossession]

Once more, the gift arrives precisely at the stroke of midnight. A small box is accompanied by an elegant envelope. In the box is a necklace, an ornate key hanging from it. What the key unlocks is yet to be seen; it would hardly be a good game if he were to give it away so easily. Within the envelope is a card and a plane ticket—or the illusion of one. The card reads:

My dearest Willow,

I have decided there is no day of more importance than the one upon which you first graced this world. It is an unworthy suitor, naturally, for no realm could be deserving of you, yet I hope you shall use this rite of passage to command the skies and meet me in the place of your heart's desire. I shall not attempt to supersede a day intended for your delight—enjoy it with your dearest friends, and I shall wait to steal you away at your earliest wish.

Yours eternal,

Sebastian

spoil the birthday girl or she’ll wither and die!

Well. She's certainly spoiled. Command of the skies? An invitation to take control of his ship whenever she so desires? Sure. That's certainly a gift and a half -- and another grotesque display of wealth that makes Willow feel just a little bit wrong for accepting. But of course she does. It's a gesture. Nothing she has to actually use --- but maybe she will, just once, to appease him.

Willow smiles to herself and makes a note to write him a thank-you soon. For now, she will enjoy her birthday and leave the heartfelt gratitude until tomorrow.

[unpossession]

Ileana's gift is simple. Perhaps a little pointed, though truth be told, she intends it with humour. All beautifully (and individually) wrapped, a pile of jigsaw puzzles arrive on Willow's doorstep. The birthday card states:

I heard you were fond of puzzles. Do enjoy.

— Ileana Vespertine

spoil the birthday girl or she’ll wither and die!

Willow is flattered (and a little disturbed!) that Ileana has remembered her birthday - let alone gotten her anything! She'll eagerly start one now, while she waits for her evening plans to come through.