ICARIAN!

( she comes with thundering hooves. not for MANGLED prisoner, though good doctor finds him nevertheless - before death knell rang over unfortunate village call for HELP reached physician of unusual reputation. letter - crumpled &. road-dusted - whose contents had not stricken scholar with immediate urgency so it had been left on desk, nearly FORGOTTEN. yet terrors this night had roused doctor, gasping for breath, with an unnamed &. leaden DREAD. something was wrong - she was too late. )

( eleanor has ridden through most of MIDNIGHT hours, trusting only horse to provide enough speed to match URGENCY pounding in skull. animal REARED with basal alarm without seeing unholy CRUCIFIXION still some yards ahead, nearly sending rider into dirt. no amount of murmured COAXING persuades further forward progress, meaning of which is not lost on ever-observant academic. maiden dismounts with distinct NUMBNESS, booted footsteps pressing ahead through sheer will alone. )

( this is how ERUDITE silhouette comes upon scene of such ghastly proportion - steps cautious, deep blues widened, plaited FLAME windswept &. loosened around delicate pallor. here she makes FATAL error despite all worldly study - for vampyr are monstrous, but she sees no BEAST in bloodied visage of other. broken pleading furrows brows &. HASTENS approach, analytic study of injury forcing away aching emotion or mounting suspicion. )

' i'm a doctor - let me help, please. who did this to you - what did this to you? - ! '

( what savagery! ink-stained touch is featherlight &. purely CLINICAL in assessing extent of his wounds. behind glass lenses dusky blues reflect emotional TURMOIL poorly restrained beneath diagnostic detachment. elaborate restraint gives brief pause, but stranger's urgency &. seemingly pained DESPAIR distracts when it shouldn't. doctor mistakes him for lone survivor &. not bloodlusting CREATURE she has sought for so long - mistake which surely spells her doom. )

feel free to edit pronouns as needed! content warning for some strong language,  threats and implied violence.

to each other:

❝  you’re mine. only mine.  ❞

❝  i’m all yours.  ❞

❝  mine.  ❞

❝  yours.  ❞

❝  we belong to each other.   ❞

❝  you belong to me.  ❞

❝  i belong to you.  only ever you.  ❞

❝  i just didn’t like the way they were looking at you.  like you weren’t mine.  ❞

❝  you know i’m yours,  right?  i only have eyes for you.  ❞

❝  no one else is ever gonna have a chance with me.  you’re it.  you’re all i want.  ❞

❝  i chose you.  and i need you to trust that my decision is final.  trust me.  ❞

❝  wait are you jealous?  ❞

❝  aw,  baby.  it’s cute when you’re jealous.  ❞

❝  i don’t like the way they keep staring at you.   ❞

❝  i don’t like how they keep staring at me.   ❞

❝  are they making you uncomfortable?  i can do something about it.  ❞

❝  no one should even get to look at you unless you want them to.  ❞

❝  stop—  it’s okay.  they’re not worth your anger.  just kiss me.  ❞

❝  stop saying i’m jealous.  i’m not—  i just.  i don’t like having to share. ❞

❝  i’m not jealous,  who said i’m jealous?  ❞

❝  well if i’m all yours then kiss me like it.  ❞

❝  show everyone who i belong to.  ❞

❝  i’m gonna remind them you’re mine.  ❞

❝  i want everyone here to see that you’re mine.  ❞

❝  i want everyone here to see that i’m yours.  ❞

❝  hey—  look at me.  why are you all upset?  ❞

❝  you can’t keep getting your feathers all ruffled when anyone else gives me attention.  ❞

❝  they don’t deserve you—  i don’t deserve you.  but at least i’m aware of it.  ❞

❝  i promise there’s no one else.  you have my heart completely.  ❞

❝  hey,  is this asshole bothering you?  ❞

❝  tell me you’re mine.  ❞

to a third party:

❝  get the fuck away from them!  ❞

❝  look at them like that again and you’ll won’t be seeing anything.  ❞

❝  don’t you dare touch them.  ❞

❝  yeah it’s time to walk the fuck away.  ❞

❝  you’re gonna lose a finger if you don’t get outta my sight right now.  ❞

❝  you heard them,  get lost.  ❞

❝  lucky for you,  i don’t wanna ruin their night.  but i see you sniffing around here again you might not be so fortunate.  ❞

❝  you wanna lose a limb?  beat it,  fucker.  ❞

❝  see,  i woulda left it alone.  but you made them fucking cry.  so now you’re gonna lose your eyes.  ❞

❝  hey,  they said ‘no.’  ❞

❝  hey asshole,  shut the fuck up or i’ll make you shut up.  ❞

❝  what did you just say to them,  you little shit?  ❞

❝  oh yeah.  now you’re all quiet.  not so bold when you’re not the toughest guy in the room,  huh?  ❞

❝  get lost.  ❞

❝  go.  ❞

❝  leave.  before my patience runs out.  ❞

❝  get the fuck outta their face.  ❞

❝  hey,  that’s enough.  ❞

actions:

[ CLAIM ]  for one muse to possessively place their hands on their shoulders or hips. 

[ HOLD ]  for one muse to slide their arm around the other in a possessive way. 

[ SHELTER ]  for one muse to lean into the other’s side or hug them to seek comfort from a crowd or individual while in public. 

[ STAKE ]  for one muse to protectively and/or possessively stand behind the other to intimidate a third party. 

[ RESCUE ]  for one muse to intervene upon seeing a third party making the other one uncomfortable. 

[ CHASE ]  for one muse to interrupt and make a third party leave the other alone out of jealousy/possessiveness. 

[ TENSION ]  for one muse to get in a fight on behalf of the other. 

[ STOP ]  for one muse to break up a fight which started because of them. 

[ MEND ]  for one muse to treat the other’s wounds they got from protecting them. 

[ SCOLD ]  for one muse to treat the other’s wounds they got from fighting over them. 

[ CARESS ]  for one muse to possessively kiss the other in public.

[ TAKE ]  for one muse to passionately kiss the other,  fueled by jealousy. 

[ TAUNT ]  for one muse to flirt with a third party to try and get the other to act possessively. 

[ REMIND ]  for our muses to have passionate sex meant to remind one party who they belong to. 

[ EMBRACE ]  for one muse to dominate the other due to possessiveness/jealousy. 

[ LINKED ]  for one muse to hold the other’s hand in public to stake claim. 

MARY REILLY (1996)

usually the count was immaculate at showing hospitality and not spilling blood across his lips yet as he drank he felt blood part upon his mouth and he left it there. uncaring, hoping to draw attention and allow her to think him foolish. or any methods of pious that she , in her drunken state , would imagine.

' you overreach with your arrogance yet again, i see. yours ... am i to be owned? '

a smile , one neutral and devoid of expression. well practiced , showing that nothing quite reached his eyes. he observed her for a moment. allowing the silence before offering restraint, " to be taken care of. " he left it at that. neither disputing, nor arguing.

he found himself reaching for a napkin then. to brush off the blood against his lips and to hide a smile as she spoke on. allowing no one to get in her way. once the napkin was away , so too , was his smile.

' ... do you intend to convince me while intoxicated? you have a seemingly endless supply of wine you are willing to part with. '

( stiff restraint of emotion, of BEING has been seemingly left behind in light of day. though intoxicant has not gotten doctor properly drunk yet thoughts still swim in WARM embrace of it. this can be seen in visible intake of breath as ICHOR spills across his lips, discernable FASCINATION of crimson rivulets. vampiric imbibing of blood is subject doctor has been noticeably AVOIDANT to witness, endless questions apparent LIMIT to what academic can cope with. INHIBITIONS now stripping away eleanor observes with undisguised intrigue, fingertip tracing own lower lip as if to further ENVISION sensation of warm blood. )

( reverie is broken as napkin OBSCURES &. removes distraction. good doctor clears throat, indigos finally free to shift away from dinner companion. now able to instead focus on his reply - taken care of. it would be INSULTING if not for vaguery of very utterance; past SNEERING veneer scholar wonders at his meaning of care. eleanor had always known eventual intentions to rob her of HUMANITY &. make her in his own image - bastardization of very god she prays to. but physician had ASSUMED it was for selfish means, to claim van helsing heir as his own for personal TRIUMPH. is it more? )

( even if doctor wants to believe this so, inherent DANGER of motivation cannot be ignored. thus dry, quiet laughter lifts from DERISIVE smirk with shake of flame-kissed head. )

' ah ... i see. like a pet - ? '

( mocking glare shifts to plate temporarily as it is filled with INDULGENT food. knife is collected in practiced digits, SPEARING piece of herbed chicken for study. in what DEFIANCE can be mustered scholar reaches for wine, sip settling in chest with familiar HEAT. laughter continues, indigos PIERCING into vampyr with challenge in attempt to veil development of deeper feeling. )

an eyebrow stretched and raised in her direction as she dragged a chair closer. amusement still amble the product of birth pains for her - joyous release for him. he counts himself lucky to view her at that particular angle. eyes falling on her fingers as they near him. he could nip at those digits. Yet, he remains frozen in place as ink pressed nails center his chin.

' tilt - to the left, only a little. '

Amused smile leaves for warmth and merry as her closeness brings him into better form. turning his head as commanded. eyes ever stuck to her own. without wanting to unglue themselves. fangs still exposed , all for the pleasure of her studies. to draw them like sabertooths. a wild cat kept in purring state due to owner's touch and scratches.

" as you wish. " he notes slowly after - head fully at left hand tilt. hand posing near his face , other grasping the arms of the chair. the rest of him rigid and full of grace. posing as a Lord would on his throne. caught in the act of self remembrance. As if recalling his first loves kiss.

( gaze remaining on her seems to SEAR blush permanently to cheekbones. it would normally FORCE indigos away - to not be lured by dark hypnosis of stare - but now as artistic subject she is COMPELLED to look. to look at ruggedly handsome features, devious fascinating fangs, ROGUISH mesmeric grin. presentation of him STEALS breath from lungs - warm press of digits upon his chin lingering long after he complies to request. heartbeat POUNDING in ears ... it takes some significant effort to suddenly remove ink-stained fingertips &. turn away. )

( breath seems to return very moment SAPPHIRES tear away to return to seat &. supplies. academic settles in same INELEGANT, coltish movements as always, finally arranged in artist's chair to begin. vampyr's ability to pose with such stillness is met with no small amount of silent WONDERMENT before scolding herself - good doctor had admired observed various portraits from time to time hung about castle dracula. this was not natural SKILL but rather centuries of practiced VANITY - annoyance from which is expressed in utterance of carefully chosen words a rarity! )

' you are ... infuriating. '

( pen is plucked up with lack of FLOURISH as she begins. way brow draws together over DELICATE features is noticeably different when nub SCRIBBLES over paper as opposed to scalpel slicing tissue; there is less turmoil, less INTENSITY as deep blues flit between page &. subject. even still doctor BROODS over parchment, agitation never to be voiced aloud - still VEXED at suspicion he means to mock her, cemented by memory of various portraits hung in his halls. scholar could not hope to COMPARE skill to finery of masters past, &. she assumes vampyr will measure measly sketch to previously commissioned works. it is why BITTERNESS still permeates tone as ink colors page almost as prettily as FLUSH on lactic complexion. )

her downward comment that it is inaccurate has him practically clucking his tongue in reverence. immediately cutting in to say, " it is exactly to my likeness. no need to be modest now. " the laughter hidden away does not arise besides through a couple chuckles that reaches his throat.

' I didn't quite capture your vanity, I think. '

( there is somehow more color FLUSHING cheekbones &. throat. doctor still cannot tell if he laughs in JEST or disbelief - is he teasing her now, clearly suppressed laughter cruel MOCKERY, or is vampyr truly baffled by HUMILITY? complex emotion already surrounding TALENT long restrained to work - sketching for pleasure rarely done &. only when completely alone - KNOTS pit of stomach with reaction. desperately DESIRING approval, for someone especially him to finally see PURSUIT as more than fancy, yet instinctually wary &. protective over diversion long kept HIDDEN. )

( discomfort burns to IRRITATION, indigos finally lifting from sketch to watch him PEACOCK. how dare he! to oust personal pastimes, HUMILIATE, &. then demand talents at his whim?! portrait is slammed to desk, doctor positively AFLAME in all aspects; late evening candlelight glows within hastily pinned coppery curls, sapphire hues INCANDESCENT with indignation, blush hot across pale complexion. )

' excuse me?! i am not some trained monkey you can just - ! '

( vexed speech abruptly halts, full mouth open &. silent before jaw slowly shuts - RIGID. o, but he is maddening! infuriating, exasperating, HATEFUL! hateful because he is right, hateful because candlelight &. poise are near PERFECT for instant portraiture - huff through flared nostrils, academic PLUCKING fresh paper, backing board, pen. tweeds rustle as eleanor moves around desk, dragging seat before vampyr in CHAGRINED silence. )

( good doctor sits with FLOURISH as she preoccupies herself readying supplies at least twice over before finally gaining COURAGE to glare at him. but no - something is not right. scholar stands again - SUDDEN - approaching, ink-stained fingertips just barely grasping his chin. spoken melody HUSHED &. tight with petulance. )

nose finally knocked against hers as she ignited the flame between them. setting his heart a flame. as much as she burned, did he in turn set a flame to his conscious. everything up in flames. though with a burning upon his tongue. a hunger to consume. a hunger to bite down on ample porcelain flesh and jotted beauty that he found absolutely fascinating.

his hand slide past her cheek, to the back of her neck, where he placed it within her wild and un - bunned hair. digits wrapping around the locks in his grasp to hold her close.

as her eyes closed, he felt his own heart beat more wildly. lingering in her presence was like soaking up the Van Helsings with wild abandonment.

' I burn. '

he felt his mouth seek out hers the moment she parted with her words. pressing against them in a hunger and a savagery. pulling her closer to him , not that there was much space to offer solace. desperately did his kiss collect along the nape of her jawline and her neck , before he lodged his fangs into her pulse. the one that challenged and teased along his hand just moments ago. ( when it sat against her throat ) releasing that little bird that so desperately glistened in crimson and screamed for the sunlight.

( for girl whose lips had never felt press of another eleanor responds with ARDENT passion, consuming hunger. it is yearning answered, unnamed CRAVING satisfied &. simultaneously igniting further desires. INSATIABLE, famished, near feral in need of kiss &. touch from this one SCORCHING moment alone. doctor leans into COMMAND of his contact, features tilting to vampyr with dominate grip of auburn curls. )

( kisses travel, TASTING velvet of her skin. she is forgetting words, speech, thought altogether in desperate ROVING of his lips - woman of so many words left speechless, GASPING. breath stolen, panting shallowly as TASTE of him still lingers on tingling lips. arms encircle, ink-stained fingers TANGLING in midnight dark of his hair; this time to press in close, BLAZING warmth of figure to towering frame. to encourage, EMBOLDEN what scholar realizes she pined for all this time. )

( sharp inhalation upon vampiric incision, air returning to lungs with swooning SIGH. yes, yes - here as he has his fill does the world BURN around them. it is corruption, decadent VICE offered freely - willingly, embrace INTESIFIED to keep strigoi feasting. ecstasy with ravaging, submission to thirst with all EUPHORIA of martyr reveling in flame. crimson NECTAR is honeyed &. heady with sweet musk, smoke, bergamont fervid &. pulsing with all ARDENT tenacity of doctor obsessed. )

( his kiss finds hers again, wet &. bloody. still eleanor returns FIRE with her own, even as COPPER coats tongue; even as ichor is smeared to parted mouth, even as it paints itself to PALLOR of throat. sapphires peek through red lashes, though lids remain heavily lidded - liar, liar academic is TEMPTED to hiss but no words come. blossom CRUSHED in his grip - even if doctor does not believe herself so BEAUTY of her is as evident as engulfing flame. )

' again ... again ... again ... '

( devoured blood leaves good doctor FAINT with both loss &. desire. it is both supplication &. COMMAND, pleading &. compelling. there is no thought beside intensity of need to once again feel ELECTRIC heat of lips, release to void with cold edge of bite. to love &. be loved in all dark ways eleanor has only just been introduced. )

holding a piece of her sketch book paper behind his back he decided to question, " how fairs your studies tonight, eleanor? " a beat. a pause, " are you by chance ... drawing anything of note ? "

distracting her from what he concealed until she would offer answer before he was revealing what was behind his back, " I found this , upon the floor. "

fangs delicately showing around her more often. not to bite, but to entice her into further studies and questions, " its a great likeness of me. "

flipping it over he showed her a vampiric sketch of himself. one made by her. with notes etched upon it. of course, the amusement was obviously displayed upon his cheekbones and structure. he'd stray from chuckling though he felt it in his chest. @memcirs seemed to always surprise him.

( doctor once - BRIEFLY - had artistic aspirations. dutch countryside inspired first iterations of now hundreds of kept journals, though GIRLHOOD pages were filled only with hesitant sketches. ludovic eventually became recurring subject - oft unwilling - or father when he managed to sit still. single SNIDE remark from mother &. utter tragedy had killed intentions altogether, though they still frequently made MANIFEST in medical study. )

( vampyr's initial inquiries are, therefore, not entirely UNUSUAL - though candor certainly is. weary gaze glances to INTERRUPTION, indigos sparkling anew with his sudden interest even as jaw hardens with SUSPICION. academic had begun to respond - summarizing exhaustive work - when sketch is FLOURISHED with much humor. )

( it is met with FURIOUS blush coloring features &. throat, heat of it burning skin. good doctor mistakes LEVITY with taunting, shame of such GIRLISH sketch being found twisting with humiliation for believing he is RIDICULING. childhood hurts all over again - sketch is seized with trembling, FLUSTERED fingers, unable to look him in the eye. unable to bear PAIN of ancient wound torn anew. )

' yes, well ... it is inaccurate at best. '

( formative shame does not allow eleanor to see obvious talent, even if UNTRAINED. it is indeed excellent likeness - depiction meant to document shape &. function of fangs. there is MYRIAD of unnecessary detail, however; curling ink of hair, slight crookedness of grin, GLEAM of his gaze. yes, unambiguously WINSOME sketch thinly veiled as research. usual QUIP is uttered with soft hush of self-reproach, empty of its usual ice. )

[ lean ] sender rests their head on receiver's shoulder

[ shop ] sender and receiver go to the grocery store together

[ brush ] sender brushes receiver's hair

[ tie ] sender helps receiver with their tie, either by putting it on or adjusting it

[ necklace ] sender helps receiver with the clasp of their necklace from behind

[ zip up ] sender assists receiver with zipping up a piece of clothing

[ unzip ] sender assists receiver with unzipping a piece of clothing

[ shoelaces ] sender bends down to tie receiver's shoelaces

[ swipe ] sender notices a smudge of something on receiver's face and gently wipes it off

[ braid ] sender braids receiver's hair

[ jacket ] sender takes their jacket off and hangs it on receiver's shoulders

[ puddle ] sender hurries to stop receiver from stepping into a puddle

[ drinks ] sender brings receiver a drink from a bar/their kitchen

[ feed ] sender feeds receiver's pet/s for them

[ cook ] sender and receiver cook a meal together

[ feed ] sender allows receiver to try a bite of their dish, holding their fork out for receiver to taste

[ teach ] sender, an expert at something, takes time to teach receiver how it works and how they can get better at it, too

[ readjust ] sender comes up behind receiver and readjusts their stance (maybe holding a gun, holding a golf club, aiming for something, etc.) to help them

[ makeup ] sender fixes receiver's makeup for them

[ bathroom ] sender and receiver go to a public restroom together and have a normal conversation in between the stalls

[ aloud ] sender reads aloud to receiver

[ refill ] sender refills receiver's glass without asking

[ massage ] sender notices receiver looks tense, steps up behind them, and massages their shoulders

[ listen ] sender listens to receiver explain something they're passionate about

[ silence ] sender and receiver comfortably exist in silence together, both of them working or reading or focusing on something different

[ food ] sender brings food over to receiver's house

[ hum ] sender hums along to a song receiver is singing

[ see ] sender sees something that reminds them of receiver and texts them a picture of it

[ admire ] sender stares at receiver across a room, silently admiring and appreciating them from afar

[ win ] sender lets receiver beat them in a game

[ puzzle ] sender helps receiver solve/put together a puzzle

[ carry ] after receiver falls asleep in an inconvenient place, sender carries them to a bed and tucks them in

[ kneel ] sender finds receiver sick in the bathroom ("tossing their cookies"), and kneels beside them, holding their hair back and cleaning their face

[ clean ] sender helps bathe receiver

[ wash ] sender helps receiver wash their hair

( she is PINNED beneath his gaze. moth drawn to flame, ICARIAN tendencies burning her again &. again. centered within candlelit room he strides to her inevitable as DEATH, possessive grasp of corseted waist drawing unintended GASP from doctor. here the flames consume - she has passed a threshold, OBJECTIVITY &. practicality no longer possible through methodical lens she had so carefully crafted. danse macabre has ended, their CHASE complete, &. despite DILIGENCE scholar can see nothing past obsession. )

( eleanor does not think this is love, but she had also historically considered herself INCAPABLE entirely of such emotion. gazing upon him now - unable to look away - at SHADOW of his form, fanged mouth tasting her air, cool of his touch ERUDITE zeal cannot be denied. but is it more? she searches, but is unfamiliar with emotions that PLAGUE her mind &. strangle her heart. what good doctor does know is MAGNETISM between them &. a burning desire to know the taste of his lips. )

( dark gaze drifts to pulse thudding in her throat, pounding in her ears, &. with rising ALARM she realizes she wants to feel the press of those fangs against flesh! NAUSEOUS upon realizing she had even dressed to appease him - trading modest, professional tweeds for off-shoulder EVERGREEN gown of satin, fire-kissed curls entirely unbound to her waist. how much of this was her own decision, &. how much was his influence? what were her feelings &. what were those IMPRESSED upon her?! )

( deep oppressive hues return to meet her own as CALLOUSED digits rest upon FLUSHED features. brows furrow over sapphires, full lips parted &. shining in dim light. TEARS fill vision from confusion, terror, trepidation, &. whisper that passes between them CRACKS from such tempest of emotion. )

' ... i'm frightened! '

( ink-stained fingers - hesitant, TREMBLING - rest over his own cradling facade. doctor lives in same temporary, flickering beauty as each FLAME in candles around them; eleanor is warm, scented, BLAZING with passions - &. in this moment such vibrance, such life hangs carefully in balance, to be blown out at his COMMAND. )

" let me be your light. " your oxygen. your heartbeat, " there is nothing to fear here. " besides your own conscious willing you to part ways from the sunshine into the sweet everlasting moonlight - and beating night.

he breathed air between them. though it did little to his dead lungs. instead, he swept closer. his face becoming inches away from her own. even as she looked on in possible fearsome state. his nose beckoned to knock against her own - yet resisting. instead only parting his mouth to listen to her words. shining lights within darker attics.

' what is ... this, what am i feeling?! what vise grips at my heart?! '

" you listen to your heart. " he muttered. no longer needing to speak loudly. for they were barely apart now, " does it beckon you to me? " he asked. ( greedy , greedy, greedy vampire king! ) holding hope that she felt love within. pouring like ichor within her organs. holding her up like strings for his plucking to seize hold. for his matching flesh to mirror her own desires for him. once and for all.

( she is flame incandescent against the dark of him. doctor SEARS in every sense; touch of digits over his blazes, sweet FLUSH coloring decolletage &. features glows, STACCATO of breath against his warm. HEAT, light threatens to burn if vampyr lingers. but he is midnight GREEDY to absorb light, to consume fire when it winks out, to be ILLUMINATED by scholar's blaze. icarus burns as he falls to the sea, eager for the embrace of tranquil brine - so too eleanor presses to vampyr seeking cheerful OBLIVION. )

( there is no space between death &. maiden, flame &. shadow. ink-stained fingers so DELICATE, so hesitant quiver as they rise to rest on his features. her own are tilted up, bright AUBURN spilling down back, brows drawn tightly over TORTURED sapphires. honey heat of lips brush against his yet still she does not kiss him, TERRIFIED of rejection even as thudding heart is sure it would not come. doctor speaks of it now - this vexing organ - whisper so quiet it is near inaudible. )

' yes ... yes! i hunger ... i starve ... ! '

( tapered digits withdraw if only to rest once more on his hands still cupping rosy-cheeked visage. eleanor guides down, down until cool grip settles on long slope of THROAT. pulsing, pumping, throbbing beneath his fingertips, academic waiting for vampyr to CRUSH windpipe &. be done with it. never has he seen her with such FRAGILITY in expression, vulnerability, blossom &. petals at his mercy. )

( this is ultimate expression of love, SUBMISSION for good doctor. after weeks of their game - wolf circling lamb - eleanor places malleable ESSENCE in his grasp, lips within reach. to DEVOUR or cherish, ravage or savor, van helsing guides his hands so they may tangibly grasp THUMPING &. fragrant life. murmur is whimpered into his lips as eyes flutter closed - SURRENDER. )

' do not speak to them - you are not worthy of their presence, demon! look at me ... LOOK AT ME! '

eyes once more are jumped forwards to stare at her with a hunger that drove them to contort face into baring fangs and growled vocals. noticing each spot she scattered blood, each placement as it smeared here and there.

he watched her tear off her bloodied blouse and put it within reach of his senses. flooding his nose with scents of sweet rose and lilacs. of honey dewed sunshines and morning kisses.

' here - my last gift to you! i hope you CHOKE on it! '

he fell to the ground then. more animal than man. pulling the cloth close to his mouth. burying it's sweet scented and honey combed taste within his tongues reach. the rain causing it to flow.

( what little triumph she feels - scholarly victory, VINDICATION after years of thankless study - is utterly shadowed by electric TERROR. exhibition of his baser instincts, being reduced to BEAST doctor always knew lurked beneath handsome facade is a triumph now of little CONSOLATION. his demented gaze, unblinking, unwavering, STARVED as animal could never be chills core more than rain-soaked skin. vampyr is snarling, RAVENOUS creature whose intense glare has now refocused on every smear of FRAGRANT blood - hers. )

( eleanor cannot help GASP as bloodied blouse is enough to fell him to his knees, stepping back from iron gate. animal, animal! now she knows extent of OBSESSION, why he chased with such conviction - desire bordering ADDICTION, scent &. taste of her somehow enough to subjugate gentleman vampyr with FERVOR. he had spoken to her once before of notes of blood &. of tastes of blood dependent on VICTIM - what made mere sips of scholar's ichor enough to drive vampire lord to such GLUTTONY? )

( tears form within sapphires observing predator's IDOLATRY. is it REVULSION? fear? pity? &. yet his fixation fuels obsession of her own - some unethical, shameful part of good doctor utterly TRANSFIXED at this development. academic had known it sometimes reported of strigoi to fixate on certain victims ... to be central to one such vampiric INFATUATION would be unprecedented boon to studies. but is it more than scholarly inquiry? is she utterly fascinated by unprecedented ability to bring such a man to his knees? )

( yes, he rises with all loping, LUPINE grace of practiced hunter. &. she - despite perceived safety of abbey - is only now realizing how ORNATE of a cattle pen she has trapped herself within. crimson-smeared digits press to POUNDING heart, flaming curls drying about tear-stained features as doctor shakes head. air tasting of PETRICHOR, of copper is sucked deeply into lungs before unconvincing BRAVADO is uttered through trembling tone. )

' there is no other way - none here will invite you! '

( doctor attempts to regain confidence, swallowing thickly before INCHING slightly forwards. even now in state of undress, auburn curls loose, deep blues BURNING with exhaustion, horror, fascination eleanor is martyr in fragile glory. statement is hissed through teeth, hyperaware of ruby traces of her AFLAME on skin &. metal. )

' your chase ends here, beast! you go no further! '

enough for him to pin van helsing ( @memcirs ) against the library bookshelves. holding a wrist down against her hips ,,, pushed into the leather wrapped books that sat worn and aged. dust leftover in ancient areas — though he felt well enough to take care of the books he felt most glued to.

one's about human history , scientific discovery and philosophy. always curious about what the human mind could come up with , could invent and could discover.

her other hand was freed from his grip yet only then did his face find pressed against her neck. breathing in ,,, before fangs found lodging within her porcelain exposed throat. digging in almost delicately , though the sharp bite would be felt. It always was. his free hand ,,, raised to the side of her face. cupping her cheek and hair there. don't move , don't move !

( dark work is interrupted by PRESENCE - not necessarily audible melody of his voice or footfall, yet something still had shifted deeply focused ATTENTIONS away from midnight sketching. temptation of velvet, honeyed SEDUCTION, eyes watching her in black of night - doctor isn't sure, only knowing gaze is somehow PULLED upward from inked pages, form rising from desk with RUSTLE of dark tweeds. )

( there no space between one moment &. next, all in single HEARTBEAT. she is dragged, SLAMMED against wooden bookshelves heavily laden with thick leather tomes. force JOLTS thin form, skull cracking PAINFULLY against shelf edge - scholar cries out as STARS cloud vision. entirety of being has been RATTLED, thoughts scrambled &. ears ringing. restraint is felt, clenched fist pressed to hip with no RECOURSE to escape stone of his vise. PANIC floods system, breath hot &. IRREGULAR at his ear &. heartbeat so rapid it POUNDS against breastbone. )

( somehow doctor knows what is coming even as eyes are FORCED to shut in attempt to stop vision from swimming. temporarily incapacitated, academic is rendered POWERLESS to stop him pressing form to hers, his nose dragging against UNBLEMISHED complexion upon deeply inhaling scent of burnt parchment &. musky bergamot. low groan as eleanor feels FRIGID press of teeth to flushed skin, breath audibly CATCHING as bite parts skin to open throbbing veins beneath. )

( strength has not returned to JOSTLED limbs - but there is enough to lift free hand so TREMBLING digits can entangle in long dark of his hair. not enough VIGOR to rip him away, but enough to crumple midnight curls in grip; warning she can take further action. GRIMACING features turn away from feasting &. press inadvertently against his palm, pitched MOAN hot exhalation against his skin. finally, finally doctor can speak, though cadence is HOARSE &. hardly above a murmur. )

' please ... i don't ... understand ... ! '