loved in hell.

She’s doing her best not to squeal. But her tail does wag as she reaches down to run the flat of her hand back and forth over his belly, a big smile on her face as she watches the creature react.

Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma

"rule number one: always tell val he looks gorgeous. it's good for morale."

"I mean... he does," She does concede, more to herself rather than in agreement. Is that difficult for him to believe if it's not said?

“ melissa, chère. ” the distant politeness on vesper’s face evaporates the moment the sinner is within earshot, her smile thinning into something far more serious. “ do you have a moment? it’s rather urgent. ” she unlocks her phone with a sharp tap of her thumb, angling the screen just enough for the glowing e-mail header to be seen.

It's not exactly the most convenient time to be interrupted. The dresses on this rack aren't going to steam themselves. But Vesper's insinuation is enough to shock Melissa out of her chore, quickly turning off the steam wand in her hand to face the other.

"Close would be an understatement - "

The screen is shoved against her face before she can protest much further.

She does let out a little huff, but leans over to take a look at what's being presented. And then her eyes widen.

She's on her back and he's gazing down at her. She's pretty, of course. He can't say he's never fed on anyone attractive though he will admit none that look like her. If all bad guys could be identified by their scars and bad teeth and greasy hair, he'd have an easier time of it, but the truth was, people could be beautiful and awful. Maybe they were, more often than not. He isn't a vain creature but his looks had always served him. Well, until Magnus had kidnapped him in the first place. It wasn't so bad, though.

As being abducted went, he far preferred it to the nautiloid. And Magnus had released him, set him free out into the world and people were, as they had always been, inclined to trust him. Still, not like this. Not laying there waiting for him to bite. He nods and lowers himself to his knees beside her. "Your hair," he begins, gently gathering it from her neck. "I will try to only take what I need. I can bite without killing I just...haven't, very often. But don't worry. I can do it." And then, her pulse beating like a gong under her skin, the scent of which was alluring, he leans down and his lips pull back to reveal his fangs and he bites delicately into her neck.

The blood comes immediately, and it is like drinking wine instead of water. His hands find her shoulders to steady her, to steady himself, and he cannot help the noise that leaves his throat as he swallows. Yes, this is good. Better. No wriggling creature in his hands, offering so little, but good blood, rich blood, and from someone with more than enough to give. And he's certain he's not hurting her. If he recalls, it's actually somewhat pleasant. To give oneself over to it. Which is why he must be so very aware of what he's taking, lest it leave her incapacitated.

Ah. So she could die.

Well, at least they have a cleric in camp. That'll have to be good enough for now.

Swallowing, Kore lifts her head just enough while Lestat pushes the curls away from her shoulder. And when he bites down, she has to bite back a scream of her own in return. The pain is distracting but Kore attempts to stay as loose as she can, exhaling quietly and only moving as he guides her.

Soon enough, it's hardly any effort at all. Hitched breaths slow down, and while her eyelids flutter, a soft sigh leaves her lips every few seconds. Past the pain, it's almost... gentle. It leaves her steadily growing colder though, and she leans into Lestat to attempt to stave the feeling off.

Not too dissimilar to if a mortal were to hunt in the woods for their food then.

That said, it's not as if Kore knows much about how vampires work, other than the vague myths. She can't remember if she's ever encountered one though. So she listens attentively as Lestat tells his story, or at least the parts of it he's comfortable with. She's fairly still, but the tip of her tail does flick idly against her bedroll. And then it taps curiously while she ponders.

He is vaguely aware of her tail. A fidget, one he finds endearing. He has his own, though sometimes as a vampire he can sit eerily still. Most of the time, he still passes as human. Beyond that, she listens attentively and then asks her questions and surprised, he shakes his head. "No, not at all. It hurts a bit and then it's kind of nice and as long as I don't take too much, you walk away. Sometimes a little...woozy," he allowed, with a shrug. "Would you? You know, purely for practical reasons."

He chuckles. "I know I'm not like the others. I don't know how to kill a man a dozen ways with my bare hands. I can't summon the elements or control anyone with my mind. I mean, besides our little friend," he gestures to his head, as he smiles at her. "But if I could feed, on a person, I would be more helpful." He steps toward her, hesitant but clearly enticed. "And since you know now, what I am, well. No more hiding. The things we fight, goblins, they don't taste very good. I am sure you'd be...much better."

He is much closer to her now, having closed the distance between them. He can hear her pulse beneath her warm skin, pounding. "Will you tell everyone else? I don't know how they'll feel about a vampire spawn in camp, but it's up to you, no? I would never hurt them. Or you." Another pause. "I've never - laying down. On the ground. Usually it's...how would you like to do it? Perhaps on the ground is better. I wouldn't like for you to faint."

Kind of nice? She almost makes a face, but then remembers that she herself has felt satisfaction from watching blood drip. From enemies, from allies, from even her own injuries at times.

Would going further feel nice, she wonders. It’s certainly far from the most morbid thought she’s ever had.

“If it helps you, I’m happy to try,” Kore accepts with a nod and a little smile. “And I won’t say anything to the others, for what it’s worth. It’s not as if it’s my secret …but I hope you’ll consider sharing anyway. If only to save you the difficulty of having to hide for so long. I don’t imagine we’ll get very far if we can’t all learn to trust each other.” It’s why Kore extended such an offer, at least. And she’s rather happy to be taken up, for once.

As Lestat leans closer, she does manage to hold her position, her gaze briefly dropping to his lips his fangs before meeting those red eyes again. “I can lay back,” She speaks, her voice softer now, and without breaking eye contact, she slowly slides back onto her bedroll and lays as comfortably as she can manage atop it.

Her tail continues to fidget though. She eventually has to grab the tip just to get it to stop. But even still, her red cheeks and rapidly increasing pulse are sure to give her away.

continued from here / @calamitism

Lestat might have flushed if he could but instead his skin remained pale and pallid in the moonlight. His red eyes widened at her question and he tilted his head thoughtfully. No one had ever really asked about his hunting habits. "As long as it takes to find enough to make it to tomorrow night. Sometimes I can catch one bigger animal and that will satisfy. Sometimes it's several smaller ones. They don't have very much blood," he explained, his tone careful but conversational. He didn't look like he might bolt, relaxing slightly as she regarded him.

He didn't think he needed to keep things from Kore or anyone else really but he also wasn't used to sharing. It felt like everyone in their little group was holding back just a little bit. They were all strangers, practically, though travelling together meant they were more like acquaintances. People in Baldur's Gate were privy to his life in the spotlight. His abduction and subsequent absence had been noticed by the community but once he'd returned, there had been few questions. He could still sing and dance and play as well as he had before and that's all they cared about.

The strangeness of his red eyes and colorless complexion had not changed how they felt about him. "Before...before the ship, I lived with my maker. We hunted together. Not animals. Not good people either, just the rotten ones. I wouldn't hurt anyone who didn't deserve it. Especially not any of you. I eat this way to avoid upsetting anyone, but...it's not ideal. We can live off animal blood, no? But it isn't the same. Human blood makes me stronger, faster. A better companion. More useful." He shrugged. "I don't think any of us are quite close enough for me to inquire."

Not too dissimilar to if a mortal were to hunt in the woods for their food then.

That said, it's not as if Kore knows much about how vampires work, other than the vague myths. She can't remember if she's ever encountered one though. So she listens attentively as Lestat tells his story, or at least the parts of it he's comfortable with. She's fairly still, but the tip of her tail does flick idly against her bedroll. And then it taps curiously while she ponders.

#DARKTIEF1ING, aka Féanor, an original character set in the BALDUR'S GATE III universe with a few other featured muses of the same canon. Both Tav and companion verses available. DD:DNE, dark urge content, minors DNI. Penned by Cleo. Sideblog, follows back from @sanguisprince.