#essexfactor

Maybe trying to lose herself in a crowd was a bad way to cope with the problem at hand. Vampirism was never the easiest thing in the world to deal with. It was only made worse by the desire to snap at those around her, lash out with teeth on throats, bite and tear and pull. She wore headphones, big studio style ones, to block out the noise around her, but even then she could hear the faint beating. Could smell the blood just under the flesh. She walked with her eyes shut for a few strides, her senses telling her enough not to bump into anyone... 

(Because it’s very well composed, produced, and performed?)

(Hinata has been employed by The Lady of The Maw simply to renovate the establishment and provide redecoration services to the Lady’s behest.

From everything there on, it’s just Hinata’s more submissive and subservient nature kicking in, mixed with Hinata’s desire to move up the business ladder by impressing the owner of the prestigious Maw.

As for the other two, Hinata is unaware that Fisk and Essex are the Kingpin and Sinister, respectfully! And of them, only Fisk carries prestige (Essex seems cultured, but he’s not locally famous to Hinata. Rich and cultured aren’t the same as Lady and Fisk).

And professionally, the Hyuga are perfectionists, even Hinata. Look back to Damian trying to hire her to renovate his and Tony’s home (Wayne and Stark). She out-right become snappy at their decisions in visuals and colors.

As for being involved with villains, she honestly has no idea that’s the case. She calls The Lady ‘Boss’ because, quite frankly, she is. Technically she’s on the Maw’s payroll, even if indirectly. And the Lady shows her attention.

Something Hinata craves.

Not even a minute after her phone is re-established, a call comes in from a number she doesn’t recognize or remember seeing before. But, there was a compulsion to answer, “Hello, Hinata Hyuga speaking…”

Vocals sang from the other end, savory sounds progressing through the line. A voice she recognized as it made statements- “M-Mister Essex!”

Perhaps you messed up? “O-oh my g-gosh I’m so sorry, I was side tracked, and I had so many jobs, and I’m making excuses aren’t I?

I’ll get on that tomorrow! I have all the worked ready to go, so I can start as soon as I hit the office! I’ll get it handled!”

There is confirmation on the other end, encouraging and appraising words before the call ends, “- Yes, you have a good night too..”

Upon her phone’s ending, ‘nata slumped in her chair and took a deep breath. How?! How’d she forget?!?

What a fool she’d bee–

It hit her, like a truck, that searing pain at the base of her skull. Burning, as if skin was melting off and fletching, a feeling of flaying. As her hands rose, heat emanated from them, still burnt even under the bandages?

She couldn’t scratch, god the pain, couldn’t get relief. Vision blurring, Hinata hit the floor in tears, steady stream of salt and water from her eyes. The pain, this horrid agony causing her skin to crawl.

Finally she overcame what hurt her hands and shot them up, digging into her skin tossing caution to the wind.

What glorious relief, this tormenting pain!; a swallowing Hell that ate at her. With every tear her bandages grew a crimson taint, blood sticking aggressively to her hair- get it out, get it out!

Minutes, hours past her by before she settled down, her white bandaged hands pushing her back to her feet. What was she doing there? And why’d her head throb?

I need to give Mister Essex a call, let him know I have everything set up and ready to go for his office.

He’s really nice! Like, I don’t know how to explain it. I feel calmer and relaxed around him, and it’s a relief? That the stress is gone and I can just think clearly.

That doesn’t happen very often. At all.

But I always feel dizzy around him too. Light headed. Sure it’s just my imagination.

Oh! And he’s really polite and thinks I’m smart. He told me so!