𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞

There, there, little Lamb. Our prey is all alone, cornered and unsuspecting. How eager he is to be slaughtered, offering his throat for the rending. How sweet his entrails must taste.

Kindred stood there, looking at their friend, tears welling up in their eyes before they smiled wider and squeezed his hand. "....Huh? Sorry, I didn't catch that." The growl became a mocking laugh, and the more Kindred blinked, the clearer their vision became. "I didn't want you to be alone."

He forced a smile of his own, masking his frayed nerves the best he could. "You really know how to make an entrance, don't you?" he teased gently, half smile found it's way onto his face and in his eyes, you could see a glimmer of genuine warmth. "Just…thanks for coming out here. I needed the company more than I realized."

Still, for a mere moment, an uncomfortable feeling skittered up his spine. The hairs on his arms stood on end, something deep and primal warning him that something was off. As if there was a mental shield he could put on his own mind, he swallowed it back, pushed it down, and told attributed the sensation to his stress.

Drawing Kindred a little closer, an act of defiance against his own nerves, he brushed his thumb across their hand; a featherlight touch. "Let's just stay out here for a bit longer, alright? Just you and me, away from all the bullshit." His voice softened, a familiar, cheeky smile on his lips. "Besides, I think I owe you a proper thank you for rescuing me from those vultures. What do you say, my hero?"

Scuffed heels had been kicked off in a trail from the basement door. The rug was a pink shag and the walls were soundproof.

"Including me?"

Her purse slammed against the floor with a thud. Inside, something metallic clinked and a bottle of pills rattled. A collection of small, plush keychains clipped onto the strap handle smiled up at Wade with their glittering eyes and stitched blush.

As they merged into the flow of the late-night traffic, his expression turned thoughtful. "Tonight's job's gonna need finesse. High security, tight timeline," he said, his voice low and focused. "We'll have to be ghosts—quick, quiet, and precise." Taking a glance over at her, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. "But you and me, we've danced this dance before. I say we get in, do our job, and slip out like shadows in the night."

To some, walking across a ballroom full of blood sucking, murdering, merciless monsters as a mere mortal would've been a bit of a challenge. To Kindred, however, it was like they were a hot knife gliding through butter. Better yet, it was as if a sea of cursed bloods had parted in front of them. They couldn't imagine what the big fuss was about! Cursed bloods weren't even that mean! There was a delighted smile on their features as they made their merry way towards the enormous doors that opened up to the balcony, where they hoped to find @bludstaind after a very long thirty minutes of not seeing him.

The fresh air was cold against their lungs. Freezing, even. Yet it made no difference once their eyes had settled on the familiar face of Cassian, standing there surrounded by three thirsty and persistent cursed bloods.

They seemed to have grown bored as soon as Kindred approached. Lucky! With the three spawns skittering away, hissing in their direction, Kindred smiled at Cassian. "Have you been out here the whole time? Aren't you cold, silly?"

"Don't touch me." Cassian's hand trembled as he took another puff from his cigarette, desperately clinging to the thin thread of his calm facade amidst his fraying nerves.

"Feisty one, aren't you? Come on, handsome, it's a party." Foreign hands snaked up his arm, pressing him against the balcony's edge. Cool, porcelain teeth grazed his neck as he shoved them back. "Don't fucking touch me, do you hear me?" His voice was raw, cracking at the end as his stress surfaced. The cold night air bit through his thin shirt, his mind spiraling as the cursed bloods circled him like predators hunting their prey.

The balcony doors creaked open, and Kindred appeared, their presence an unexpected lifeline. The creatures of the night dispersed in fear, hisses slipping from their lips as they retreated like shadows before the dawn. Cassian exhaled, relief flooding through him. He reached for Kindred's hand instinctively, pulling them close.

"Yeah, I've been out here for a bit," he confessed, tension easing from his body. "Needed a break from all the... festivities. But I'm better now that you're here." His gaze softened with gratitude and a hint of longing. "Thank you for finding me. Will you stay a while longer? It's quieter out here, and we can keep each other warm." His grip on Kindred was firm yet gentle, seeking reassurance in their presence.

Roland's gaze, sharp and ever-curious, locked onto the mysterious eyes of the singing woman, a siren of the seas. As the waves harmonized with her enchanting voice, his lips curved into a polite grin. "What's a life-threatening quest without a bit of music?" he quipped, a mischievous spark gleaming in his eyes as he spoke to the mermaid. "Though, I must warn you, my dear, there's been word of Cursed Bloods in the area as of late, so tread cautiously.

ariel's always had a fondness for beautiful things. the man in front of her no different from the various trinkets she often finds on the ocean's floor. ariel unable to fight the thrall that longs to claim him, keep the curly haired blonde in the safety of her shelled cover bosom. and after the betrayal she's suffered at the hands of her kin, the siren could use a distraction. so she quietly admires the giant of a man, harmonizing with the timbre of his voice as he speaks. all while perched happily on her rock. face tinted with a shade of coral pink.

at the pet name, she dives back into the water, hiding. her voice able to be heard amongst the crash of the waves. ❝I am not an easy target.❞ the mermaid then giggles, face peaking from underneath the foamy tides. ariel slowly rising from the ocean's depths to reveal her frame, legs surprisingly included. the redhead wildly frolicking to further prove her point of mobility. ❝but don't worry, if we see any, I'll protect you.❞ she laughs, hands rubbing against her sea silk covered thighs. ariel trying to remember the lessons of seduction she's learned from her sisters. but adorably failing.

He kicked a piece of driftwood, meeting her laughter with a confident smirk. "I'm more accustomed to doing the protecting, but I'll admit, a bit of company might be a welcome distraction. From a distance, of course." Sauntering a few steps back, his hands raised in a playful mock-surrender, her studied her with an exaggerated curiosity, head cocking to the side. "Do you usually have a target on your back?"