𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐑 .

𝖆𝖒𝖚𝖘𝖊𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙   at   his   own   suggestion   shows   through   on   his   features   for   a   brief   moment   as   kai's   anger   breaks   into   laughter.   still   he   is   displeased   about   the   meadow   situation,   though   he   does   not   show   it.   kai   will   do   what   he   thinks   is   best   &   michael   will   be   in   the   wings   waiting   to   clean   up   any   potential   fall   out.   he   does   not   begrudge   his   position   however,   he   does   it   gladly   out   of   genuine   care   for   kai.   he   sees   the   man   in   front   of   him   for   all   he   is,   flaws   included,   just   as   kai   sees   all   of   him   in   return.

"   very   well,   i   trust   you   even   if   i   do   not   trust   her.   "   he   let   his   eyes   flutter   closed   for   a   moment,   simply   enjoying   the   closeness   that   they   shared.   at   kai's   response   to   his   offer   he   nods,   eyes   opening   once   more.   "   that   may   be   for   the   best.   "   he   finds   himself   reaching   for   kai's   hand,   fingers   tangling   together   before   he   speaks   once   more.   "   a   miracle   ?   "

he   has   his   concerns,   mostly   with   trusting   anyone   but   himself   with   the   matter   though   he   knew   that   once   kai   had   made   up   his   mind   there   was   little   he   could   do   to   sway   him   from   that   path.   still,   he   would   be   waiting   in   the   wings   to   ensure   kai's   safety,   as   he   always   did.   perhaps   though   he   could   find   a   way   to   get   rid   of   meadow   in   the   process.

" I would never ask you to trust someone like her. " Kai quietly speaks in reply, closing his eyes momentarily with him to bask in the WARMTH and gentle, caring touches that Michael provides. It's almost strange to think about the Antichrist being gentle with anyone when all the stories from media and religion alike speak about the idea of him with such vitriol. Kai however, has never once shown fear or disgust in Michael's presence. When his fingers slot between his, he opens his eyes again to stare DEEP into his partner's. There's a flicker of something behind his dark gaze that indicates his growing eagerness for this upcoming plan that's hatching in his racing mind. " Think about it, this nation loses their ever-loving shit over Christian metaphors. So I'm going to give them that. An execution, a resurrection in front of their very eyes. "

The cult leader's fingers idly DANCE against Michael's brushing over his knuckles while his thumb does the same to the palm of his hand. After a while Kai brings his partner's hand to his mouth, tenderly pressing his lips against the back of it. " Let's see them just try resisting voting for someone who faced down an inevitable death and survived. "

𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐒; 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒘 𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒆.

change pronouns, tenses and other details as deemed necessary. & please specify muse when sending to a mumu.

Congratulations.  You  are  still  alive.  Most  people  are  so  ungrateful  to  be  alive.  But  not  you.  Not  anymore.

Your  life  is  a  lie  [Name],  but  now  comes  your  moment  of  truth.

We  were  all  supposed  to  die. 

You  think  it's  the  living  who  have  ultimate  judgment  over  you,  because  the  dead  will  have  no  claim  over  your  soul.  But  you  may  be  mistaken.

As  you  can  see,  the  choice  is  not  so  clear  when  you  are  face  to  face  with  the  people  who's  blood  will  stain  your  hands. 

The  device  before  you  is  one  of  sacrifice.  A  sacrifice  of  blood. 

Remember  [Name],  once  you're  in  Hell,  only  the  devil  can  help  you  out.

I  can't  die  here,  I  have  so  much  left  to  do...  so  many  people  I  have  to  talk  to.  This  can't  be  it.

This  whole  house  is  a  trap!

Their  salvation  was  out  of  your  hands.

But  with  your  survival,  came  your  obsession.

I  recommend  you  stay  alive  until  the  fucking  clock  counts  down.

 You're  the  last  person  I  saw  before  I  woke  up  here.

Since  when  has  force  been  a  problem  for  you?

How  much  blood  will  you  shed  to  stay  alive?

It's  not  over.  The  games  have  just  begun.

You  feel  you  now  have  control,  don't  you?  You  think  you  will  walk  away  untested.

If  you're  going  to  threaten  me  with  a  knife  you  may  as  well  cut  me  a  little.

You  identify  more  with  a  cold  corpse  than  you  do  with  a  living  human.

I've  been  having  nightmares.  I  see  him!  I'm  never  going  be  able  to  forgive  myself  for  what  happened.

 Live  or  die,  make  your  choice.

At  least  we'll  have  the  cover  of  darkness.

What's  the  last  thing  you  remember?

That  feeling  running  through  your  body  is  fear:  the  fear  of  not  knowing  if  you  have  what  it  takes  to  survive.

This  is  not  retribution.  It's  a  reawakening.

Those  who  don't  appreciate  life  do  not  deserve  life.

So  are  you  going  to  watch  yourself  die  here  today,  or  do  something  about  it?

You're  probably  wondering  where  you  are.  I'll  tell  you  where  you  might  be.  You  might  be  in  the  room  that  you  die  in.

I  know  it's  hard  to  concentrate  when  you're  surrounded  by  so  many  things  you  could  kill  me  with. 

He  kidnapped  me  in  the  middle  of  the  night!

Suffering?  You  haven't  seen  anything  yet.

Fix  me  motherfucker!  I'm  standing  right  here!

We're  not  just  going  to  sit  here  and  do  nothing.  We  need  to  make  a  decision!  Don't  you  understand?

the office light of her desk is almost enough to irritate her headache. between various papers spread across her desk, file folders, and notes. between the actual paperwork and dealing with the numerous connections that require constant communication, she’s exhausted and tired. and about ready to call it a night. she’d much rather prefer her silk sheets over the comfortableness of falling asleep at her desk. again. it’s been quiet for so long, there’s a bit of a jostle when kai knocks at her door a few times before slipping into her office. ‘ i thought you left hours ago - ? ’ voice is almost quiet, a shift from her usual demanding overtone.

there’s the sudden warmth of a person next to her, and desdemona is quiet for a moment, anxiety pitting into her stomach. his fingers are grazing against her skin, and it’s hard to fight the goosebumps that threaten to erupt on her arms. she’s been so focused on this – on her own desires and wants at least on the corporate ladder she’s been ignoring everything else. ‘ i was just about finished wit - ’ her hands are lightly brushing against some of the papers on her desk. but his lips are on hers. words die off in her throat and after a second of hesitation, her hand is once more familiarly pulling him by the center of his shirt closer to her. ' is that the only way you know how to say thank you ? or is there more - ? '

The hand LINGERS on her cheek, his body humming with heat and excitement as Desdemona grabs his shirt and pulls him closer. A quiet sound of disappointment leaves him however when she interrupts the kiss to speak. There's been TENSION between them for a long time, most of their conversations teetering on the fine line of flirtatious and hostile. Kai knew what was coming tomorrow, knew that his plan would most likely cinch his victory into place. He wouldn't be telling Des about it though, he wanted her to be in the dark about certain things. Not to mention he was admittedly CURIOUS to see what her reaction would be to him having such a close brush with death.

" Well, you're not getting a pay raise if that's what you're after, Ms. Godfrey. I already pay you more than fairly. " Kai simpers, his other hand goes to travel GRADUALLY down her arm, feeling the smooth, expensive material of her suit jacket. " I see you, Des...you work your ass off with hardly any appreciation from the people around you. You push away any sort of help because you think you'll be seen as weak. Let me relieve you of all of it for just one night. "

‘ i will have it handled as long as they stop being sloppy. you getting paranoid every twenty four hours does not help the “i have something to hide” look. b’ annoyance is clear across her face, grabbing the front of his shirt to pull him into her office. the door with her name etched into it closed behind them. she’s letting go of him in favor of closing the blinds.

Kai barely has any time to respond to her, only able to open his mouth and let out a WORDLESS breath before her hand is gripped into his shirt and he's pulled into her office. She'd be getting an earful of complaints for that move if it weren't for her scolding actually managing to get through to the cult leader somewhat. He needed to not make a scene, especially here where someone of importance could easily overhear their BICKERING if they truly wanted to listen in.

When the blinds are closed and Desdemona leans on her desk, he takes a seat in one of the chairs in front of her desk, crossing his own arms and letting out a huff of frustration almost akin to a petulant child's behavior. " I don't mean to sound ungrateful for your help. You've been an invaluable part of this. " Teeth grind together as he forces himself to cater to her ego, to make sure he doesn't cross a line and make her up and decide that she'd be BETTER off telling authorities about his less than legal activities. " Is there anything I can do to win back their favor? If we let the rumors fester who knows what it'll snowball into in the next few weeks. "

blood, sender cleans blood off of receiver.

𝖎𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖙𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓   quickly   fading   as   the   source   of   it   quickly   bled   out   at   his   feet,   his   blue   green   eyes   gazed   impassively   down   at   the   cultist   who   had   become   his   latest   meal.   incompetence   was   something   he   could   not   tolerate,   especially   in   the   later   stages   of   their   plan.   normally   he   preferred   to   deal   with   problems   in   a   more   private   setting   if   only   to   hide   his   more   beastly   reactions.   however   this   time   he   simply   could   not   restrain   himself.

he   is   aware   of   people   silently   looking   on   in   horror,   most   taking   the   hint   to   begin   shuffling   out   of   the   room   to   leave   himself   &   kai   to   deal   with   this   matter.   with   a   roll   of   his   shoulders   he   lets   out   the   tension   within   his   body,   a   soft   sigh   escaping   bloodied   lips.   he   is   aware   of   kai   approaching,   though   he's   still   not   entirely   focused   on   that.   the   heart   in   his   hand   is   still   warm   with   the   lifeblood   of   the   cultist   he'd   ripped   it   from   &   the   temptation   to   finish   off   the   last   few   bites   has   him   distracted.

the   touch   of   soft   fabric   on   his   bloodied   face   was   enough   to   pull   him   from   his   thoughts,   his   gaze   shifting   to   focus   in   on   kai's   dark   hues.   he   almost   leans   in   to   kiss   him,   though   the   thick   taste   of   blood   on   his   tongue   is   enough   to   still   him.   it's   a   line   he's   yet   to   cross,   unsure   if   @hiveruled   would   be   disgusted.

he   shifts   closer,   seeking   out   his   partner's   comforting   presence.   ❝   have   i   been   too   lenient   ?   ❞   while   he   certainly   doesn't   think   so,   clearly   something   had   given   the   deceased   cultist   reason   to   believe   slacking   off   would   be   acceptable.   michael   is   already   thinking   of   replacements,   of   ways   to   correct   the   issue,   not   wanting   this   blunder   to   possibly   hinder   kai's   cause.   ❝   or   is   this   just   stupidity   showing   through   ?   ❞   the   latter   is   very   possible,   given   his   experience   with   humans.   without   fail   there   would   always   be   those   without   drive   or   self   preservation.

Years of subjecting himself to gore and violence, and furthermore witnessing it in real life had JADED him almost entirely to the sight. He doesn't even flinch when Michael rips the heart from the unlucky cult member's chest with a fierceness that ends up appearing strangely graceful. Perhaps Kai should be angry that he took it upon himself to swing the axe where it should've been his decision. Instead he watches on in awe as the wet crimson trickles into his partner's mouth and he consumes the flesh of the fresh organ in an inhuman fashion. Though, Michael really wasn't human was he? Kai often FORGETS that until moments like these.

He uses the sleeve of his sweater to wipe the blood that smeared across his cheek, their gazes locked onto each other in a HEATED manner. The cult leader slowly leans in, tongue dragging across Michael's lips to further clean away the slick of blood. When he pulls away to leave room for him to speak, the metallic taste of it sits heavily in his mouth, but Kai doesn't seem to mind.

" Some are just not truly prepared for change and all that it entails. " Kai sighs out quietly, wrapping his arms around the other's waist to pull him close into an embrace. " It isn't your fault that they were dragging their feet about it. I would've done the same thing. Might've made it a slower death, though. " He gives Michael a grin, showing rows of slightly BLOODSTAINED teeth in the process.

𝖆𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖗   was   something   michael   was   all   too   familiar   with,   kai's   anger   even   more   so.   though   it   was   rarely   directed   towards   him,   michael   had   bore   witness   to   it   often.   thus   this   display   did   little   to   upset   him   beyond   the   key   point   that   ally   was   doing   far   better   than   she   should   be   in   present   polling.   ally   was   an   admitted   thorn   in   both   of   their   sides,   persistent   &   surprisingly   resilient   despite   all   their   attempts   to   sabotage   her   thus   far.

he   approaches   kai   without   the   reservation   that   most   would   have   at   seeing   such   a   display,   a   soft   sigh   leaving   him   as   kai's   fingers   find   purchase   in   his   long   locks.   his   blue   green   eyes   close   for   a   moment,   thinking   over   what   to   say.   it   wasn't   a   matter   of   if   he'd   assist   kai   or   not,   he   would   always   choose   to   &   kai   was   fully   aware   of   that.

opening   his   eyes   he   met   kai's   dark   gaze   evenly   as   he   spoke   ❝   i   could   always   just   eat   her.❞   at   his   own   words   a   playful   smile   cracked   his   usually   neutral   visage.   ❝   perhaps   it   is   time   to   look   at   more   competent   followers.   i   still   do   not   trust   that   meadow   is   truly   of   any   help.   ❞   a   personal   bias   admittedly,   he   disliked   her   &   frankly   speaking   wanted   her   gone.   the   only   reason   he   had   not   done   so   himself   was   out   of   respect   for   kai's   wishes.   still,   he'd   take   the   opportunity   to   speak   his   grievances   with   her   at   any   chance   he'd   get.

❝   on   a   more   serious   note,   perhaps   i   can   reach   out   to   my   more   radical   followers.   if   anyone   is   willing   to   help   spread   a   little   chaos   they   certainly   would   be   it.   ❞

Michael's suggestion breaks the heavy tension in the air, causing a slight LAUGH to spill from the cult leader's lips. He had to admit, the thought of it was tempting. Giving his political opponent a death that could be straight out of a horror film and a surefire way of sealing his own victory. The only issue is that it wouldn't, not for long anyways. People would talk and the cops would SPECULATE. He can't kill Ally, not yet. Securing his win first and letting her be witness to it instead of buried six feet under the earth was the smarter thing to do, as much as he was growing impatient.

" I know you don't. But she still has use that has yet to be tapped into, you'll see. " Kai's amusement continues to shine through his stressed appearance. Admittedly, Meadow was becoming more of a NUISANCE than a integral worker to the hive, clearly craving something more than Kai is willing or wanting to give to her. What would happen when she finally realized she was never going to have it?

His grip tightens on the back of Michael's neck when he speaks again however, his thumb rubbing against him to soothe any discomfort he may have caused. " No, no one else needs to be brought in that I don't know anything about. We're in the final stretch, I don't want anybody fucking it up. " Kai shakes his head adamantly. He may trust Michael, but that doesn't EXTEND to any of his followers. There was a process Kai went through in his own head to pick and choose who was brought into their circle. Meadow though...his thoughts keep going back to her.

" Maybe what people need to see is proof of hope among chaos. A miracle of fucking biblical proportions. "