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Post by Brandi on Mar 24, 2011 10:30:56 GMT -5
*All Brandi could do was stand, staring blankly as he rushed through the motions to be out of the cell. It took her a bit to process. Had something gotten under his skin? It certainly wasn't her master plan. Yeah, that went great. She sighed heavily and sat. At least he was making sure she wasn't starving (so far). That meant there would probably be other opportunities. But who knew how long it would be before he returned?*
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Post by Brandi on Apr 8, 2011 11:10:34 GMT -5
***A NEW NIGHT, IN A LUSH ROOM UPSTAIRS*** *Brandi awoke in a new room, one she'd never seen before. It was ornate and obviously upstairs (due the view out of large windows). She felt groggy. It was strange, she hadn't remember going to sleep. Or being knocked out. Only... Oh, right. She sat up with a start, the luxurious upholstery of the chaise welcoming beneath her hands. Looking around, she tried to take in her surroundings as best she could. The room was inviting, but there were some signs that it had not had an occupant in a good while. Made sense, she supposed. Dracula and his brides probably didn't do a lot of sleeping upstairs. The light in the room danced from several globed candles. Lips pursing, she rubbed her wrists without thinking. They did ache something terrible and she winced. In the same moment, her eyes fell on the dress. It had obviously been laid out and was surprisingly modern, by 19th century standards. Her brow lowered, somehow perplexed by it.*
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Post by Count Dracula on Apr 8, 2011 11:16:38 GMT -5
"I should very much like to see you in it." *Dracula's thick accent rolled off his tongue, the words unusually soft. The girl turned sharply at the sound to see where he stood behind her. He totally hadn't been watching her sleep like that creepy Cullen kid. It would suit her, he had assessed, though it had been far too long since he'd enjoyed seeing her in a state of undress to be completely sure.*
"Though if you will not indulge me, I shall have to indulge myself." *His tone cooled again, a threat lying constantly under the surface. He made no move towards her though, just standing at the door, arms crossed and gaze intense.*
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Post by Brandi on Apr 8, 2011 11:31:19 GMT -5
*Brandi's eyes immediately dropped at the suggestion of doing anything for his pleasure, but the threat compelled her to stand, crossing the room to the gown. Her fingers traced softly over the fabric. It really was lovely. And in any other situation, she would have been thrilled to wear it. But this...not so much. Glancing around the room for a changing screen, she was frustrated to find no such thing. Not that it was much of a surprise.
Her mind was racing with all the possible iterations of this scenario. She could refuse, he could attack her, maybe rape her, possibly kill her. Or she could change, he might attack her and rape her, and might end up killing her anyways. Her nose scrunched, wondering what it was with Draculas and rape. But then again...she couldn't remember this one ever doing that. Though she'd never seen him this pissed off either. And it was about power, after all. Brandi sighed, not finding a desirable version in either case scenario.
Setting her determination, she started to loosen the buttons on her dress. It was easier facing away from him. She just prayed he wouldn't talk through the whole thing. Otherwise, she might be able to pretend he wasn't there. Who was she trying to kid? She slid the dress over her shoulders and it pooled at her feet. At least she wasn't naked. That was one of the best parts of period clothing, all the underpinnings. They had proven tedious in the past, but they were most welcome at the moment.*
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Post by Count Dracula on Apr 8, 2011 16:29:02 GMT -5
*There was something in the moment, perhaps her shyness, even in her attempt to be indifferent to his presence. It pulled at something inside of him. Memory, Dracula blamed the sensation on. It was different when the two of them were alone, the other man delightfully absent. It reminded him of a time, so long ago. No, he would not be moved by...whatever this was. He forced himself to remain where he was, promising himself that no matter what happened, he would maintain control of himself and the situation.*
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Post by Brandi on Apr 8, 2011 16:37:36 GMT -5
*Brandi bent to pick up her dress, draping it next to the new one before lifting the gown. It was heavy, but at least it looked like it might fit. Checking to make sure the lacing was loosened, she hoisted the dress up over her head. It was questionable there for a second as she tried to navigate the garment from the inside, but she finally managed to set everything right and it met properly with her curves.
Without thinking, she reached back to do the lacing, but as soon as she started to tighten it, she gasped in pain. Stupid, she thought, as she realized how much damage she had done to her hands trying to loosen the chains in the dungeon. She lifted her chin, trying to will the throbbing away and suck it up so she could finish dressing.*
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Post by Count Dracula on Apr 8, 2011 16:43:43 GMT -5
*The sharp sound she emitted prickled Dracula's ears. Not pausing to think on it, he moved abnormally fast, appearing just behind her. His first inclination was to see to her hands. They were so discolored and the skin on her wrists had broken in a few places.
But mercy was not something he was willing to give so readily and his body went tight a moment before casually reaching for the laces.*
"Let me." *The words were smooth and cool, though his motions were anything but kind as he tightened down the gown.*
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Post by Brandi on Apr 8, 2011 16:47:20 GMT -5
*Brandi let out a small shriek at his sudden appearance and proximity, the sound compounded by the air being pushed out of her as the dress shrank.*
"Please." *She squeaked, but had no thought to follow it. Swallowing hard, she attempted to remain calm as he tied off the laces. Try as she could, she couldn't bring herself to turn around to face him. Not yet, at least.*
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Post by Count Dracula on Apr 8, 2011 20:37:35 GMT -5
"Please, what?" *He asked quietly. It was difficult to discern if the words were in kindness or cruelty. Dracula paused for a moment, but the answer didn't come. The girl only shook her head, not looking back to him and in that, his rage swelled. He took her roughly by the shoulders, spinning her to face him and tangling her in the heavy skirts.*
"Answer me." *He snarled, before meeting her eyes. She was so feminine looking now. It caught him off guard and his grip lessened slightly.*
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Post by Brandi on Apr 10, 2011 9:31:32 GMT -5
"I...I don't know!" *Brandi squeaked, started by the sudden contact and anger. She squirmed, instinctively driven to escape, but she forced herself still. What was the point? She knew she couldn't outrun him, especially wrapped up in this stupid dress.*
"I'm sorry." *She blurted out, gaze hiding as if it could cool his wrath. She didn't know for what exactly, but it had always been her go to answer in times of conflict.*
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Post by Count Dracula on Apr 10, 2011 9:36:15 GMT -5
*Dracula's lips tightened as she spoke, eyes narrowing in calculating judgement.*
"I do not believe you." *The words were soft and slow, as if he were still deciding. He did force himself to release his grip on her. Part of him wanted her to make a run for it. It would be all the more amusing to watch her fail.*
"I think you are incapable of true remorse." *She had certainly seemed so at the time. And in all the iterations of begging pathetically for her life and the life of that...traitor. He was prepared for it. And would remain immune, he promised himself.*
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Post by Brandi on Apr 10, 2011 9:41:05 GMT -5
*Brandi blinked at her skirts, body as tense as the long moment between them. She bit her lip, desperately looking for a viable answer that wouldn't provoke him. Such a thing seemed very unlikely. But she also knew he would not let her leave it unanswered, so she swallowed before starting hesitantly, the words timid.*
"I...I don't know...I mean, I don't remember..." *How could she feel true remorse if she didn't know her sin?*
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Post by Count Dracula on Apr 11, 2011 20:42:35 GMT -5
*Dracula's cold gaze studied her. How could she honestly know nothing? How could she not instinctively feel the bond between them.*
"You do." *He hissed, voice low but with less malice than might have been expected.*
"I know you do. Or at least...you can. If that is your wish." *He would make her remember. She would know what they had had, what she had forsaken. And she would see the error of her ways.*
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Post by Brandi on Apr 11, 2011 20:48:21 GMT -5
*Brandi's brow crinkled in confusion, her eyes darting up and seeking his for some sort of explanation.*
"I...I don't understand. How?" *Was such a thing even possible? She had dared it with Raziel, but it was another thing entirely to try such things with Dracula. What if something went wrong? She couldn't trust him not to do one of a hundred bad things.*
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Post by Count Dracula on Apr 11, 2011 20:52:27 GMT -5
*She really didn't know. For the first time, that fact sunk in and Dracula didn't know what to do about it. He took her by the shoulders, his eyes intense but no longer chilled. They implored her understanding.*
"You must know. Search your feelings, Luke. You know me." *His thumbs stroked her shoulders in a strangely intimate gesture.*
"Us. What we once were." *Though she may not remember, he could not forget their time together, the joy and love they had once shared. It had left him bitter for so long now, but being here with her had started to melt the edges of his hate. There was...something like hope in its place. Dracula would not dare to think on it, or even acknowledge its existence.*
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