[Torchlight flickers across the damp ground. Sometimes you think they're almost pretty, when you're exhausted and hungry and the shackles around your arms don't hurt as much. Sometimes you swear it's mocking you, but then you think about what it would be like if the torch wasn't kept, if the flames flickered out and died and left you in darkness, and you think you're okay with a little bit of mockery.
You're in the middle of staring down at the glittering damp, trying to pretend that you're staring out at the sea at sunset, when heels click against the stone.
She's coming. And a weak hope flickers in your chest that maybe this time she'll listen to reason.
But then Vanessa stands in front of you, and even in the dim light you can see the faint shadows that flicker at her edges, tips of her hair marred with the color of tar. She's losing herself, or becoming herself. You don't know which. And her sincere smile makes it all the more disturbing.
"Vanessa, please--!" She cuts you off before your pleading can begin in earnest. She knows the "game" by now, knows what you want, but it's not what she wants so it doesn't matter (should you think of her that way? You love her, don't you?).
"Ah, ah, ah! No complaints today, my prince! I've brought us a special treat today." She gestures to the plate she's carrying: sweet berries drizzled in honey. You didn't even notice it before now. "Isn't it delightful? Something sweet, just for us. And in the candlelight, too!"
You were ravenous, but you're not hungry anymore. Candlelight... This is candlelight...
She mistakes your horror for surprise and giggles girlishly, hand hovering demurely over her lips. "I knew you'd be surprised! Now say 'ah!'"
She stuffs one of them into your mouth before you have a chance to react. Part of you wants to spit it out, but your stomach overrules it. You need to eat, and so you hold onto your objections until after the berry is swallowed down. "Vanessa, I--"
Your next protest is immediately cut off. Another berry, delivered through a kiss. It's almost tender, making you think back to happier times in a warm bed as you held her in your arms long into the night. It makes your heart beat faster, but not the way it did back then.
You try to speak up for yourself again, to protest, to say you want to be free. She looks hurt, confused, and for a moment you wonder if you got through to her. But then she's gone stiff, shaking as she turns on her heel, voice quivering with barely checked rage.
"Well then. If you're going to throw our lovely date right back into my face, then... Then you can stay here in your room without dinner!"
She ignores you as you call after her. The next day the guards come down to your cell and add more chains. The one around your neck bites the most.]
CW: somewhat disturbing yandere-ish imagery?
You're in the middle of staring down at the glittering damp, trying to pretend that you're staring out at the sea at sunset, when heels click against the stone.
She's coming. And a weak hope flickers in your chest that maybe this time she'll listen to reason.
But then Vanessa stands in front of you, and even in the dim light you can see the faint shadows that flicker at her edges, tips of her hair marred with the color of tar. She's losing herself, or becoming herself. You don't know which. And her sincere smile makes it all the more disturbing.
"Vanessa, please--!" She cuts you off before your pleading can begin in earnest. She knows the "game" by now, knows what you want, but it's not what she wants so it doesn't matter (should you think of her that way? You love her, don't you?).
"Ah, ah, ah! No complaints today, my prince! I've brought us a special treat today." She gestures to the plate she's carrying: sweet berries drizzled in honey. You didn't even notice it before now. "Isn't it delightful? Something sweet, just for us. And in the candlelight, too!"
You were ravenous, but you're not hungry anymore. Candlelight... This is candlelight...
She mistakes your horror for surprise and giggles girlishly, hand hovering demurely over her lips. "I knew you'd be surprised! Now say 'ah!'"
She stuffs one of them into your mouth before you have a chance to react. Part of you wants to spit it out, but your stomach overrules it. You need to eat, and so you hold onto your objections until after the berry is swallowed down. "Vanessa, I--"
Your next protest is immediately cut off. Another berry, delivered through a kiss. It's almost tender, making you think back to happier times in a warm bed as you held her in your arms long into the night. It makes your heart beat faster, but not the way it did back then.
You try to speak up for yourself again, to protest, to say you want to be free. She looks hurt, confused, and for a moment you wonder if you got through to her. But then she's gone stiff, shaking as she turns on her heel, voice quivering with barely checked rage.
"Well then. If you're going to throw our lovely date right back into my face, then... Then you can stay here in your room without dinner!"
She ignores you as you call after her. The next day the guards come down to your cell and add more chains. The one around your neck bites the most.]