chronicles.

If there was an ounce of havoc to be found in the evening, Orion would seize it with his all, hoping to find it in the jewels that rattled in his pocket. However, they weren’t required to draw out the events that followed the turn of his back. Khaede approach to Irelia was unknown until the mention of his name pierced the night and he was digging up tufts of dirt with the vigour in which he spun on his toes to his wife’s call. A flicker of panic pinched at his jaw and drew his brows together, a second what all that was required to school his expression back to nonchalance. “Remove yourself, Khaede!” Orion’s voice cut the stir in the air, the magic that Khaede had used was fluttering, it was struggling to find a home and it was clinging to the darkness. He didn’t rush, his feet were steady in their pace to reach Irelia and Khaede, eyes lingering on the former for a beat too long once he was in close proximity. “Stop panicking.” His voice lowered, aware of the snakes that had fallen from him on entry to the Sacred Acre, slithering along the grass while it extended in length, appearing as if it was casting a skin that it dragged deftly behind it. Orion edged himself behind her then, an arm crossing her chest so if the witch were to lash out with a violent swipe, he would take the brunt of the blow rather than Irelia’s vital organs. “They get bigger.” Orion’s amusement was evident at Phoenix’s disgust towards his favoured protection, but he didn’t have the time to dwell on it, not while he abruptly hauled Irelia with him and clicked his tongue. “Thrax.” There was a pause, a brief wave of a moment where Khaede’s expression shifted and fear lit her eyes, she was back in her own body a moment too late. “We no longer require your services.” With that, Thrax’s jaw extended and he lunged for the woman’s throat, her scream silenced by a gurgle, a massacre that filled his vision with a beautiful flurry of red. His hands hadn’t eased on the security they had on Irelia, not wishing for another to rise in attack or for her to flee and become impossible to find. “Wait for the crack, it's the best part.” It came crisp and clear, perfectly on cue, and Orion delighted in it. “Beautiful.” 

Irelia had an abundance of knowledge on dark magic after years of bouncing between substances, there was a time when suppliers ran out of everything they had due to a shipwreck. That year Irelia grew desperate to find a cure to heal her itching skin, but botany was never her favorite subject nor did she care for the growth of plants in any shape or matter. Her desperation led her down a path of dark, forbidden magic, and gathering fresh goat milk every week to create an unstable anesthetic in the form of a sizzling liquid. The minute the witch had grasped her all those memories of dark magic came to the surface, surrounding all of them with demonic hands wrapping around their ankles; The warmth of his arm across her chest spread fire throughout her organs, smoke filling her lungs as he spoke to her in a tone that could be easily misinterpreted. Did he care for her? It wasn’t like she was carrying his child or would bear any children in the future for him. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Irelia questioned watching as the woman found a home on the ground, twitching as if her soul was fighting to stay stationed inside her until the last breath filtered out into the open air. “Why would you kill her?” Irelia broke the barrier between them, nudging his arm away from proximity, and began walking in the direction in which they came. Understanding was a waste of her time, Irelia knew the high would hit at any moment and she couldn’t afford to be figured out by her husband. More like she couldn’t be bothered to explain where she obtained such a drug. “Thrax.” She realized sooner than later that snakes were a small piece of Orion, comprehending the concept of never being alone, especially after marrying a maniac. The snake slithered towards Irelia in its original size, small yet deadly, and it wrapped around her leg as she made her way down the hill. “Your owner is a real work of art.” It wasn’t until her body reached the gates that her body froze, the warmth surrounding the Sacred Arces turned senseless suddenly, and the atmosphere around her was brisk as flowers withered. Her eyes raised to catch the eyes of a woman who reeked of threat, dark iris staring into her soul as she whispered in a playful tone. “Don’t let them catch you, don’t let them catch you!” Irelia questioned whether to speak, if what she was something from beyond Damned then it would be obvious that Phoenix had invited unwanted spirits into the living. “I have changed my mind, I’m not saying that I’m terrified about walking back on this wonderful–very badly lit road, but that’s exactly what I am saying.” Ignoring the being to keep her sanity as she spun to wait for Orion to catch up to her, walking side by side with him made her feel disgustingly secure. “Please, hurry up.”

“This night feels like a curse.” Orion drawled as he took a step away from Phoenix and began to circle the site that they had been led to, basked in flowers and trinkets. It was a feeble and disgusting memorial, the people of Devotion lived their lives with the direction their heart led them and it was clear they decorated the same way. The marble headstone carved gaudy swirls that bleed themselves into roses and hearts, dusted with a golden hue, never mind the small stuffed bear locked in a golden lantern, as if overseeing the protection of the jewels that circled it. Jewels that he noticed were embedded in every tomb or headstone they’d passed. “Pathetic.” His eyes rolled and he missed the sharp snap of Aera’s head towards him, although when he returned his focus to the task, he couldn’t miss the piercing stare. He also picked up on the distance she placed between herself and Rosie-Lane’s mothers, almost laughable that she had put both him and Phoenix between them. It piqued his interest, a story that his friend had certainly failed to tell him, yet he would likely be given the time to indulge. The interaction with the dead was short; in fact, it was non-existent. “You dragged me out here for this?” Orion’s laughter was hollow, a lacklustre affair after the promise of chaos didn’t settle well, and he kicked himself off the nearest headstone to the burial site the others huddled around. Dropped down towards the lantern that housed the bear despite the call from Rosie-Lane’s mother, he was interested and no amount of aching sobs of a parent would halt him, nor the attempt to tear him away by his collar. “I’ll bring them back,  promise.” The lie was smooth off his tongue, seizing the several jewels that were stored within, unbeknown to him that he had given the princess the cover required to retrieve the necklace. Annoyance led to him ramming an elbow directly to the woman’s nose, knocking her to the dirt of her daughter's grave and returning to his full height. “On second thoughts, I’ll be keeping them.” He didn’t look behind him, not to the weeping woman or the witch that had been trapped in her dire position. It was his return to Phoenix’s side that had him kicking up dirt and slipping his souvenir into his pocket, but not before dropping a few into the other’s pocket. “If I’m right, my dear friend. Tonight is going to be very interesting."

Each step felt heavier, breathing slowing as Irelia stepped into the land of the dead. The scent was unlike any typical gravesite, Irelia picked up on magnolia and a hint of jasmine depending on the area; Irelia kept to herself as the others spoke with body language and piercing gazes until the witch flicked her tongue in Latin. She’d read them before but the memory was damaged from her usage of narcotics, thinking carefully of where she was when a spell to retrieve the spirit of a deceased would've been used. The spell was over before she could understand what was swirling inside of her, swallowing the cold air as her eyes scouted the area for anything unusual. “You.” It was the strong tone that snapped her back to the woman covered in markings, eyes widening as Khaede made her way toward her. “You have something the dead want.” Irelia’s brows furrowed the minute the witch's hands grabbed her face, inching closer while the ground around them began to shift into a black hole, and Irelia was met with hazel eyes amidst the darkness. Those eyes were not of the witch, those eyes were of Rosie-lane as bloody fingers massaged the tips of her ears. Rosie-lane’s voice spoke in whispers, casting curses to everyone gathered in the circle with a menacing smile. It took only moments before Irelia was face to face with Khaede again, but this time fear was seen on her features. “Orion,” She didn’t dare to remove the woman, hands shaking uncontrollably as her knees began to buckle even considering touching her would be devastating to those around her. “Get her off me, get her off me!” Irelia questioned the time when she took the substance, it was too soon for her body to react, but how could this possibly be real? Phoenix disturbed the peace and no one stopped him. This was a problem considering the high would last all night long. “I said get her off me!” The familiar sound of slithering began to grow louder as pet snakes evolved into larger ones, circling Irelia as a means to protect her from the witch. “They get bigger?” Phoenix shuddered in disgust watching the scene unfold. The length of the snake was remarkable, Irelia glanced down as the snake slid in between them with fangs larger than the jewels Orion had stuffed in her pocket. It was waiting patiently for an order, facing the woman who threatened the Crown, and it gave Irelia a sense of security as the snake followed every detailed movement of the witch. “He will be the death of you.”

“You don’t like my rules?” Orion scoffed in the wake of her complaints and it slowly morphed into laughter, his eyes darting away from her and towards the ceiling in disbelief. Truthfully shocked that she’d made it this far, but more so that she had felt that their deal had been made in any way that truly benefited her. He had always had the upper hand and he was content in the knowledge she hadn’t figured it out until their marriage was fully fledged. “That’s too bad, Irelia. I never offered you drugs on a platter, did I? I offered you a chance to escape your mother and I’ve delivered it so perfectly that she hasn’t set foot on Strife territory since our wedding night.” A partial truth, she had appeared twice to be turned away, Orion’s own choice to keep Irelia locked inside the bubble that he’d created. A bubble that he hoped would force her to heal yet had done quite the opposite. He had expected her to deny the request to meet with guests and toss another object at his head, but instead, he was greeted with enthusiasm and she alerted his suspicions. “Irelia.” Her name was a warning, his toe practically scrapping against her heel on the move towards the door, already disliking his decision to invite her. The kiss had come as a surprise, rare occasions of affection had flittered between them and just like now, they were rarely private. A show that played his part with ease once the shock settled and his hand crossed the small of her back and locked her against his frame. “Stay at my left.” He whispered his demand while their lips were inches apart, presenting his left arm to her and unravelling his right from her waist, intent on keeping her close enough that Phoenix wouldn’t dare to play a game with her. “I’m ready, my love.” Endearment poisonous on his tongue, but in front of the staff that now shuffled into line to allow them to breeze past, it was a requirement.

The words 'I'm ready, my love' repeated nonstop in her brain, it was annoying to hear him address her in such a manner. Everyone knew that the two hated each other, but Irelia also knew that no one would spread the word of their arguments. "I hate it when you call me that." Her fingers spread carefully around his left arm, glancing straight ahead as the man directed them towards long hallways, rights then lefts until they reached the destination. Irelia had false hope that Phoenix received her message, but it wouldn't hurt to present herself in case he did arrive with a package. The minute the doors shut behind them, Irelia retreated her arm until it was greeted with a kiss from Phoenix. "Fight? I don't see him enough throughout the day to have a chance." She rolled her eyes, attention panning over to another woman. "You have to be Princess Aera from Devotion, correct?" It didn't take Irelia long to recognize the hand stitching from the famous Arthur, but it soon was confirmed with the crescent of Devotion. "I'm leaving your side now, don't miss me too much, asshole." Irelia removed herself from the two monsters, walking towards the woman who wore beautiful clothing. She showed respect with a bow before walking straight towards the window, sighing that she could finally see another view of the land. "What brings you here? Did Phoenix threaten you? He tends to do that with people. It's strange, isn't it?" This was officially the first time that Irelia presented herself to another house before it was met with refusal even attending with Dae would end in disaster. She disliked the idea of meeting with other elegant houses because the views never aligned, Irelia knew only a few other less important figures that indulged in her activities. "I think you invited me to your wedding, but I decided to stay home and pluck the petals from the roses because I hate crowds of people."

“I have addressed the problem of you leaving for the day, I said no.” Orion hadn’t been entirely forgiving when it came to the rules that he had outlined to both Irelia and the staff that tended to her. As much as they had struck a deal that should have benefitted them both, he did not trust her to venture beyond the castle walls and return. “That no should have been final. Do you want anything that does not require you to step outside those damn gates?” The bait dangled in front of his eyes was too tempting, snatching it and allowing his temper to flare. Choosing a wife was supposed to be the hard part, obtaining and keeping one was supposed to be easy, especially when she had so much at her disposal. “And how would that go exactly?” The small statue grazed his left shoulder before it shattered against the marble fireplace, and still, he did not move from where he stood. “An illegitimate heir, pointless. I could have achieved that without marrying you.” He allowed her rage to run its course, the cushions hitting true twice while the others bounced objects from the ledge behind him. “If you can paint every painting and you require something nice to look at, should I request nude models? I feel like our bedroom is missing a striking painting of another man’s dick above the bed.” Orion’s anger had never subsided, it remained subdued beneath the surface as he counteracted her, drawn inward by the gnawing guilt that he had locked her in a cage. His eyes darted to the door, a pause in the commotion that made him all too aware of those who stood outside. “Join me.” He may come to regret the request, he slowly edged forward, although he remained at arm's length to halt her potentially striking him. “If you want something to do, then join me. I’m meeting with Phoenix, I believe he’s brought a guest. You can request to draw her nude if she’s to your liking.” 

"You don't think I'll come back, do you?" Irelia couldn't blame him for thinking logically because the answer was staring both of them in the face. She wouldn't return, not immediately, after a three-day high since it wasn't her first time. She vividly remembered her mother locking the doors to her bedroom, chaining up windows, and closing off any exits in case she decided to flee for another three-day bender. In fact, Irelia was certain that her mother was the one to advise Orion about her flight strategies. "You've never experienced withdrawals have you? You have no idea what my body is doing to me. You did this to me, you decided one day that our deal is no longer valid because the marriage was sealed." The aching would never subside until she received the needed healing potion, the voices never whispered only shouted at her for denying them the needed vial to survive. "You lied to me, Orion." Irelia having to live without inhaling or ingesting something was starting to open emotional chapters for her that she didn't know existed. Empathy, sadness, happiness, and love were chapters that she didn't understand--her mind only focused on one thing, addiction. It was as if time stopped momentarily, eyes flickering over his features as he announced a name that she recognized. Someone who was willing to provide without any questions, inhaling sharply before agreeing to his suggestion. "Fine." The walk towards the doors was daring, Irelia lifted her arm to block any contact from him as her hands pulled the doors to reveal their audience. It was time to put on a performance, she gently placed a hand against the nape of his neck wasting no time to reel him into a kiss. Even after everything, Irelia despised how his lips sent waves of electricity throughout her body--she blamed it on the lack of narcotics. "Ready to go?"

“I must advise you when I plan to drop from the sky?” Orion’s laugh didn’t encompass its usual malice, although it was paired with batting to remove the hands that surged to check he hadn’t injured himself. His irritation grew for the fuss that was created around him, he couldn’t escape it from the moment his sister had met her gruesome end, as if a single scratch would bring an end to his family line. “I would appreciate the same from you, yet it doesn’t seem like you’re capable of acting reasonably.” He broke through the guards and those who looked on, grasping hold of Irelia by the elbow, not tight enough to cause injury but enough to lead her to a room that housed fewer eavesdroppers. Her attempts to escape had been suicidal and each incident was worse than the last. He feared each day would be his last with her and the more time he spent in her presence, the more terrifying the idea of living without her had been. “When did I grant you the authority to tell me what to do?” His voice lowered, releasing her before his aggression flared, placing a safe distance between them to slam shut the door in the faces of the staff that had attempted to follow them. Her words were heavy on his heart, that she couldn’t afford to lose him, a confession that passed her lips before she focused on the people of Strife who couldn’t afford the loss. “And I can’t afford to lose you, Irelia. You are the main event in this empire, do you understand? My wife, the future Queen, the woman that is supposed to carry heirs, and I will not hesitate to lock you in a room without a damn window. How do you feel about daylight only on special occasions?” 

Irelia knew the moment the doors slammed shut that he was no longer in the mood for her irresponsible personality. It would've made anyone keep their mouth shut the minute he engaged in friendly fire, but Irelia refused to back down from this fight. "You never respond when I address the situation of me leaving for a day, you're too busy falling head over heels for the new bait that walks through Strife's door." Irelia understood when the maids would say he was working, busy with paperwork about becoming the next King, but no matter how many times she told herself it didn't matter. It always mattered because she was stuck roaming the house, Irelia knew everything about Strife after months of residing there and it drove her to insanity. "I never sent for you! You mad that an unspoken rule, someone must be sent in your direction when I decide to leave. If you took time away for a second and listened to your wife when she spoke then we wouldn't be in this predicament." Irelia never withdrew her weapon, unlike him her anger was explosive after months of being kept inside, and she retaliated by reaching for the nearest object. "You have plenty of women who can give you heirs, you filthy piece of shit. The women don't mind bragging about it, I hear it all day about how Orion sent flowers to someone other than his wife." The small statue was tossed in his direction, lifting the cushions from the seats to continue the flying fits of rage. "God, how can you be so stupid? How can I be so stupid to marry you? I barely see you every day, I memorized the paintings in the hall so that I can paint them with my eyes closed. Impressive, right? The least you can do is send eye candy for me to stare at except you send Robert." She huffed, puffed letting her anger subside as she finally dropped the last item in her had as it shattered on the ground along with the roses. "Don't you have some important meeting to attend? Leave."

Orion hadn’t second-guessed his decision, not even as the winds cut a chill through his shirt or multiple pairs of hands had attempted to seize him from behind; as well as multiple serpents that twisted around his ankles. It wouldn’t have been a grand Hallows-Eve if Strife’s only remaining heir plummeted to his death, yet he didn’t think of himself. His mind was on saving the woman that he had tied his life to, to lose Irelia now would have been a disaster for the throne, but also would have done irreparable damage to his heart. “I never claimed to be an empathetic suitor, my love.” His lips twisted into a smile despite the scene unfolding, stretching himself further until his hand was locked with hers, and he had gained enough balance to tug her towards him. “You fall, I fall, it’ll make a beautifully tragic storybook.” His taunting was ill-timed, matching the second that she slipped and wiping the smile from his mouth. “Irelia.” True fear ignited as her name became lost in the screams from behind and below, releasing his hold on the barrier to free fall. A momentary action to swing an arm to seize her frame against his, while his opposing hand jolted to grasp the final inches of metal remaining on the railing. “You’re fucking insane.” Strained between locked teeth, his focus shifting downwards to the balcony that was at least a foot to the left, but now housed several guards. “Ready to go?” He didn’t give any indication of his intentions, brushing his lips over the crown of her head before he swung inwards towards the balcony and released his hold on the railing.

For a mere second, she thought fear came from his voice along with her name. It was the first of many to come, but for now, it happened to be the first time anyone had said her name in a way. "No." Spending months together had connected Irelia to him in plenty of ways, but it wasn't until this moment that she realized the connection was stronger than she expected. She shook her head, no drugs could prepare her for what he was about to do next which scared her even more. Why did climb out the window? Where was the emergency button? Why did this man even attempt to save her? "Orion!" Irelia shouted, her voice coated in fear while her mind attempted to calculate their survival rate. Her body clung to his like her life was at stake, free falling suddenly being checked off her bucket list. "Your snakes! You're fucking ridiculous." Irelia held her breath, arm reaching out to let the snakes wrap around her wrists. A normal position for the slithering creatures, ignoring the sensation of her stomach dropping before securing herself safely around his body. "What the fuck is your deal? You can't advise your wife before making a decision to drop from the fucking sky?" Although, the guards caught them gracefully even tended to her gown as well as the snakes wrapped around her wrist. Every servant dashed towards her, fixing her appearance as she pushed past every guard with no intent of stopping, yet she halted anyway. Members of the house made room heads glancing down while Irelia spoke with power in her voice. "Don't ever risk your life again for me, understand? I can't afford to lose you, they can't afford to lose you."

The main arrangements for the ball had been left in more capable hands than his own, allowing Orion the option to focus on his desires and he had been travelling in the direction of the entrance hall to do just that when frantic footsteps stopped him in his tracks. “Sire, come quickly.” The greeting spat out between a deep intake of breath and spluttered in the hair that had fallen over her face, and before she could explain what had happened, Orion had already changed his direction of movement towards Irelia’s suite. “Tell Phoenix I’m running late.” His command was tossed towards the man that left behind once Orion had reached the staircase, the servant that came to fetch him was on his heel and attempting to explain the situation in undecipherable gasps. Not that he needed the explanation once he reached his destination, the drapes caught in the wind and whipped a dreadful feeling to the pit of his stomach. “Irelia?” The maid that stood at the window moved a beat too late, his arm snapping out and casting her aside with more force than necessary to throw himself against the railing to view the woman who had willingly climbed outside. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” A question that did not need an answer, although he barked it in her direction regardless. He didn’t hesitate to rise onto the railing and drop himself onto the thin ledge that decorated the building. “Sire!” There was a brief tug at the back of his shirt before there were cries for the guards of the halls and those below, but his focus had remained focused on the woman he vowed himself to. One hand locked on the interior window while he had extended the other towards Irelia, feeling dangerously close to tipping and decorating the courtyard with red. “Come back in with me right now, or I’ll let you dangle out here by your thumbs for a night.”

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Irelia stared at the man who claimed to be her husband, glancing down at his hand as she decided whether to grab hold or move towards the nearest decorative stone head; However, Irelia couldn't help but feel her heart drop realizing that he came instantly without hesitation. Didn't ask someone else to grab her, but he came for her and this caused confusion within her thoughts. Cheek pressing along the dark shutters, body automatically moving in the direction of his hand until she foot slipped. The fall would be deadly, it'll be at least 10 seconds before her body hit the ground, and Irelia would be spoken about for years. Woman who jumped to her death, bride to Orion Thornes pronounced dead; The idea wasn't so bad until she was living in the moment. "You're horrible at talking someone down, this is not your strong suit at all." Irelia caught herself just in time before she created crimson fireworks. "Orion." This was the courage she needed, only to say his name as her hand grasped his own with closed eyes. Gradually leaning towards him, slipping would be unforunate because now she held his life in her hands. "Don't let me fall." It seemed the univrse heard her loud enough, wind suddenly picking up the minute she stepped on the edge of the railing. Another slip, Irelia hated this railing more than she could express and today it plotted revenge. All the members holding Orion had cursed, gasped, and shouted in unison as they watched her slip and it was expected that Orion would follow her down. This was it. No more balls to attend, no more worries about her withdrawals, and no more slithering snakes wrapped around her wrists. Finally, just breathe.

“I have room service, but if you want it, ask someone outside, not me.” Orion clicked his tongue, gesturing haphazardly towards the door they’d entered from, certain that the usual brigade of staff that gathered while he was in his room was scurrying into position. He spun on his heel to trace her movements once she was upright, sinking down to sit on the windowsill. Every move she made was fascinating, the courage to search his things paired with the brazen way she did it, taking care to note the objects that took her interest. In particular, her decision to delve into the jewellery boxes that were lined on his dresser. “Not really your mother? I would never have guessed.” Orion’s eyebrows rose, doing a terrible job of concealing his sarcasm, a grin spreading the closer that her movements brought her to him. “Roses from Devotion, King Haneul sent them ahead of being crowned. I keep them to remind me exactly what is needed in such a house.” Death. He wanted to pour it through Devotion, make it bleed, he had started with the former King, and he continued to bask in their mourning. “I think it’d be better if we announced it together, don’t you? I have no intention of having multiple wives, but I will take the announcement of my one and only bride seriously. You’ll be decorated accordingly, this Seven Seas attire doesn’t quite suit you.” He extended his hand, gesturing down her frame at a gown that was chosen to impress, although he made no move to draw his hand back to himself. He stood slowly, outstretched hand gliding over the soft fabric of her dress until it locked into place on the small of her back, and he tugged her abruptly against him. “Orion, but feel free to call me sire.”

"You're a strange man for keeping dead roses in your bedroom." Irelia questioned herself picking him as a husband, there were plenty of men who would take her hand in marriage. That was a lie, every man would end up returning her the minute that she showed withdrawal symptoms. Nothing in his bedroom seemed alive other than the snakes that found comfort in their designated areas, Irelia shuddered the minute she thought of sleeping in here with slithering creatures. She planned to go explore the other rooms until her body felt the pressure of another, the sudden close proximity took her breath away momentarily and the way his hands already knew their place on her body caused an eruption of dreadful passions. "Orion." Irelia spoke his name tenderly, wondering why the taste of each letter felt remarkably familiar. "I will not be addressing you as sire, but I appreciate the offer." It was an automatic chuckle from her lips, Irelia quickly realized why this man was a wanted bachelor. He was unattainable, dangerous, and breathtakingly handsome. "Every other woman might've fallen for your gesture, but I don't like the idea of you thinking I don't have a say in what I wear. I dress to my liking even if you disagree." Her mother always warned about the mouth of hers, unable to obey orders because Irelia believed in having her own will. "Orion." The only danger in this room was the lack of space between them, Irelia gathered the courage to place each hand on his distinctive shoulders. Carefully tracing the outline over the fabric until she reached the outline of his neck, thumbs tracing right underneath his jawline. "Although, I'll let you win this round because you seem very serious about this announcement."

Irelia thought about the story of the girl who fell through a rabbit hole. Falling until she reached a room with different doors, one so tiny that seemed impossible to fit through while the other so large that the handle had been out of her reach. She related to this mad house tale, but she could never find someone who was willing enough to keep her until she met him. He smelled like a soft vanilla, oak, and sweet berries which was ironic because his personality had been a cold mist since the moment they met. Not cold enough, not dead body cold, but cold enough to the touch. Why did it have to be him? She didn't have a choice, but it seemed the universe picked someone with enough tolerance to handle her. “You’re funny, you know that?” Irelia spoke softly, heartbeat drumming against her ear as she glanced around the room. “You don’t seem like the type to do good deeds and I find it really funny that you have a pet snake.” She didn’t expect him to hold her mouth open, tasting his skin first until the substance tickled her taste buds, and making sure to close her mouth around his finger. Irelia bit down against his skin, tongue running laps around his finger before gingerly detaching her mouth. “You shouldn’t stick your finger in a strangers mouth, you never know when someone might enjoy it or bite it off.” Now, Irelia wasn’t an new to the drug world, but she couldn’t identify the taste that lingered on her tongue. The substance was extremely well made, it only took a minute to revive her from her ghoul state while others would take hours before she could feel the high. The question remained unclear, Irelia desperately wanted to know what in Poseidon’s name did he just give her. “What the hell did you give me, pretty man?” Her heart rate slowed, nerves obtaining a tingling sensation as her mind rewired itself into a high funioncting society. She flung herself upwards, head hanging low as laughter eclited around the room. Nothing was funny about her inability to function without snorting, swallowing anything that would calm her anxiety. "You're a very interesting man." Even thinking about how he went out of his way to deliver the drug, Irelia brought her hands up to tangle into her hair. It was settled, fleeing would be foolish because this man had given her a reason to stay. “I'm hungry.”

Irelia thought about the story of the girl who fell through a rabbit hole. Falling until she reached a room with different doors, one so tiny that seemed impossible to fit through while the other so large that the handle had been out of her reach. She related to this mad house tale, but she could never find someone who was willing enough to keep her until she met him. He smelled like a soft vanilla, oak, and sweet berries which was ironic because his personality had been a cold mist since the moment they met. Not cold enough, not dead body cold, but cold enough to the touch. Why did it have to be him? She didn't have a choice, but it seemed the universe picked someone with enough tolerance to handle her. “You’re funny, you know that?” Irelia spoke softly, heartbeat drumming against her ear as she glanced around the room. “You don’t seem like the type to do good deeds and I find it really funny that you have a pet snake.” She didn’t expect him to hold her mouth open, tasting his skin first until the substance tickled her taste buds, and making sure to close her mouth around his finger. Irelia bit down against his skin, tongue running laps around his finger before gingerly detaching her mouth. “You shouldn’t stick your finger in a strangers mouth, you never know when someone might enjoy it or bite it off.” Now, Irelia wasn’t an new to the drug world, but she couldn’t identify the taste that lingered on her tongue. The substance was extremely well made, it only took a minute to revive her from her ghoul state while others would take hours before she could feel the high. The question remained unclear, Irelia desperately wanted to know what in Poseidon’s name did he just give her. “What the hell did you give me, pretty man?” Her heart rate slowed, nerves obtaining a tingling sensation as her mind rewired itself into a high funioncting society. She flung herself upwards, head hanging low as laughter eclited around the room. Nothing was funny about her inability to function without snorting, swallowing anything that would calm her anxiety. "You're a very interesting man." Even thinking about how he went out of his way to deliver the drug, Irelia brought her hands up to tangle into her hair. It was settled, fleeing would be foolish because this man had given her a reason to stay. “I'm hungry.”