http://maitre-de-carte.livejournal.com/ (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
maitre-de-carte.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
tampered2008-01-27 11:57 pm
maitre-de-carte.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2008-01-27 11:57 pm
log; complete
when; 28 January, evening.
rating; R.
characters; Alexis Hargreaves (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
maitre_de_carte), Megumi Yamamura (pinkenglishrose).
summary; After her capture, Megumi faces the Devil - and is offered a deal. But everyone knows what's said about deals with the Devil.
log;
His captive had been so artfully delivered, and soon the conflict itself would begin. It was only too obvious the attachment the girl had to such the uncouth young man, but perhaps the allure of a street rat would even turn the head of such a female. Alexis didn't understand the charm of it, but he knew the effect of it upon an otherwise sane and rational young lady. But this time the charm worked to his advantage. She had fallen into his cleverly engineered trap, and so well, too. Now she lie on the sofa within his cosy study, unconscious, unaware yet of the deal he had for her.
Her chest rising and falling gently was indication enough of the excellent job his associate had performed; from his account, it had been just as promised from the crafty doctor. Even his long white coat, nearly pristine save for a few patches of dirt here and there, was gone from her shoulders, back on its proper owner. How clever, really, was the entire hoax; it was too obvious she would pursue him should he let loose the fact that he had her love interest in his grasp.
If anything, Alexis knew she could be outsmarted. She already had been.
A confident little smirk curved his mouth, even as the smoke from the pipe curled upward thoughtfully. It lasted about the length of time the smoke itself did; then the tobacco, fully burned, was extinguished, and the smirk was put away with the pipe. The delicate sensibilities of ladies certainly could not tolerate the fumes, and he was certain that, soon, she would awaken - but not to rebel against him with her witchcraft. He had taken special precautions - Alicia had ever the skill to shape hair into a respectable, hardly vulgar, twist. There would be no such uprising against him. The proof he had acquired would make certain of that.
Too much had happened to really want to wake up. The battle earlier hadn't helped in any way, and had it not been for Doctor Muraki, she knew she would have been a goner. But now, there was hardly any thought, none conscious at least-- no, it was in the blissful slumber of exhaustion that she found herself grow numb. And what was worse, was her own growing weakness that even her subconscious was trying to warn her about. The very reason that she began to stir, and then... a flicker of her eyelids before they flew open, an odd-- but not unfamiliar scent hitting her nose.
... it came from a pipe. Her first thoughts before her eyes focused on the ceiling before she became aware that most of her charms that she used to defend herself from impurities were-- gone. She blinked, groaning softly and attempting to sit up resulted in extreme pain-- how strange. She would have healed after some rest, no matter the gravity of the injury-- then--
And it was then she realized that her hair was tied. Her eyes widened and perhaps it was that force of shock alone that made her sit up, knowing only one person could have thought of doing so while she was unconscious. It was then she noticed a light cashmere shawl, matching the shade of her clothing, wrapped over her shoulders, possibly to have kept her warm and that was the only thing that could have made her doubt where she was. Until she turned her head and saw.
"..!! You!!" The accusatory gasp was followed by a shocked stare, but she couldn't do much else. She didn't have the advantage here. Not with her physical condition as it was right now, and realizing that was when her gaze settled on him. Startled, her hands moving to her sides, she stared in surprise at the one man who could have gotten her here at all. But-- Muraki was-- she steeled herself, wincing when she felt pain in her movement. "You never give up, do you...?" she hissed, despite herself.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, madam," Alexis replied calmly, watching as she attempted to sort out just how she had come here. Of course, he knew the whole manner of it - he held the advantage, truly, for she was left with only half the truth to work with. A strange turn of the situation, but it was one long overdue. She would whinge, protest, and accuse all she wanted, but in reality, there was little else she could do. The upper hand was his now.
He seemed to smile to himself - whether it was at the notion of her protests or at the thought of his control on her remained shrouded in mystery. "You must be warm by now - I confess, when you first arrived here tonight, you felt a touch cold," he remarked, gesturing lazily to the fire from the winged armchair in which he had taken to a regal seat. "Quite the chilling evening. The shawl must help, I suppose." Casually, his hand slipped into a pocket of his jacket, bringing out what at first glance appeared to be a handkerchief. The firelight flickered, though, and the clear print of red, blue and white crossed bars showed this was no ordinary handkerchief.
Idly, his fingers played with the folded corners of it, even as his stare moved back to settle upon his captive. "You look a touch pale - are you feeling well?"
Oh, how she wanted to roll her eyes at that. She was about to retaliate, or at least tug the shawl off-- she didn't want any excuse of his 'hospitality' but there were two things stopping her. The first being the lack of energy in her body-- enough for her to slowly move-- and give her immense agony while doing so, and the next-- being the attention she was focusing on him diverted to the object in his hand.
It didn't take her more than a millisecond to recognize what it was, and why it was with him. Dr. Muraki's words resounded in her head, and she felt the color drain from her face as she stared at it, and then at Alexis' face in what was clear, open shock.
So it was true-- he had... but wait. Surely-- she stopped, composed herself. Axl wasn't so foolish so as to get captured by someone like him!! He was a fighter, and a great one at that!! Her eyes narrowed as she focused her dark blue gaze directly onto him. She wasn't going to elaborate, didn't need to, no matter how much she knew, and somewhat expected him to toy with her for it.
"Where is he?" Her question was clear, and so was her voice. Though she felt like undoing her hair right then and teaching him a lesson, she didn't know what to expect from him after she'd done so. What if... just what if, he'd already harmed her lover? She didn't want to think of what would happen to her then.
Her question directly cut through the silence. It was almost as forceful as a ray of sunlight through shadows, and the thought instantly struck him as vulgar. However, Alexis remained in his seat, never the one to move first, and the smile met the question almost dismissively as his fingers still idly toyed with the stolen token now in his possession. Her manners had clearly deteriorated.
"I've no idea of what you speak," he replied pleasantly, raising a brow and pocketing the damning evidence, the smoking gun. "Perhaps you should clarify a bit." Prolong it, pull out distraction upon distraction, and then, perhaps, he would attain his goal with an additional effect to his favour. He cleared his throat then, muttering a short apology before continuing, "Come now, no need to be so stiff." At that code, the door let a silent click of the lock loose. His servant's orders had been succinct and clear: lock the door as quietly as possible and keep the key under her guard in case of intruders. When his vision caught sight of the turned lock, he knew to raise his maid-of-all-works' salary generously.
And then here he was, alone again with the girl witch who seemed, at times, so easy to draw in.... He was going to prove the value of that statement just now.
She knew he was going to do this. And right now, there was no question of displaying any sort of manners to him, not when he'd threatened the very reason she even remained sane. While she didn't raise her voice, her expression alone spoke volumes. She'd never been quite good with that.
"Spare me the false pleasantry, Lord Hargreaves." She replied calmly. "I'm not here to sit. I demand to know where Axl is." She was only just able to make out the sound of the lock. Her heart skipping a beat, she lowered her hand, facing the man directly.
Still, as ever, she was determined to slash her way through the conversation as though wielding a machete to the bamboo in the Congo. It lacked little subtlety; he controlled the urge to sneer at such crudity, however. "As stated, I do know of his location," he indulged slightly, still smiling gently as he rose from the chair and took a step away from her. "And perhaps he still is in the same location, as I've taken measures to stabilise such."
The fire crackled loudly, and the flame seemed to lend a brilliant flash of light to his eyes. Yet still, he remained nonchalant in movement, turning to a staircase further from Megumi to placidly scan the bookshelves. "However, I fear I cannot indulge in such a shortness of politesse, madam. You see, it would be uncouth of me to act as such towards a lady." His voice almost seemed to take on an edge in the otherwise gentle tone he spoke in, and somehow his eyes narrowed as they looked across the room to her once more. "Certainly you understand."
It was hardly a matter of showing politeness and she certainly wasn't in the mood for such foolish talk. She was unarmed, yes, but that didn't mean she'd lost all sense of pride. With him speaking the way he was to her, though, she couldn't help but let out a short, derisive sound.
"I understand all that is to be understood about your modus operandi, Lord Hargreaves. I assure you, your intimidation will not weave its way over me. And no amount of denial is going to keep your actions from being revealed as to what they are." Inwardly, she cringed at her own confident delivery. She was close to panicking. Not good...
Alexis paused momentarily to look over fully at her. He was tempted to retort something vicious, but he knew better than to do something that foolish. A low chuckle broke the silence after a few moments, and he returned to his calm duty of scanning the book spines with seeming half-interest. The calmer he would act, the further she would spiral into irrationality... he knew that too well, honestly, and he could sense it was merely beginning.
"I'm afraid I've no idea what you are talking about," he replied casually, pulling out a tome momentarily to examine the cover. "Oh, bother-" he shoved the book back in quickly - "I seem to have forgotten the original thread of conversation." He moved further down the bookcase, further from her, further into rationality and cunning and further from the panic he could sense bubbling underneath the surface. "Care to redirect the conversation, madam?"
Big mistake. Big, big mistake. She knew what he was doing, quite obviously so, but it was frustrating her-- Axl was the very reason she lived, existed, and to have his presence taken away from her when she needed him the most... especially by this very man, with his devil may care attitude, intending to rile her up...
Big mistake. Her expression darkened, eyes black with vehemence at his attitude, though she knew any action on her part could further put Axl into danger. She was only hoping, praying rather, that whatever happened, he fought his way free... somehow. Somehow.
"Stop it!" she exclaimed, her hands moving to the sides of her head, before lowering them and then, swiftly moving towards him until she was standing a few feet away. "I've had enough of your games! Your concern is with me, not with him! Let Axl go, Alexis Hargreaves!!" Her expression became somewhat pained despite her attempts to control it. "You have no right to involve him!"
The hysteria had bubbled up into a steam, and he could even fancifully imagine smoke coming from Megumi's ears while she raised her voice. Alexis knew he had pulled upon the correct thread - the very one that would aid him in his plans. When he stared at her from the corner of his eye, he could see a thin strand of hair tickling her neck. Yes, pull at the right threads, and anyone can become a puppet to someone's will. Just a sharp tug, though.
His hand reached out, pulling upon the ends of the shawl about Megumi's shoulders. "A favour like that doesn't come free, madam." The hand wasn't sleight, but soon the shawl was in his hands, free of its owner's curves. His gaze paused upon it, seemingly in rumination, before a sharp look met Megumi. "What price do you believe is fitting?" he asked smoothly. He had set it already, but it never failed to bring amusement to see hopeless negotiations.
Sometimes there was a conflict of interests where it came to protecting modesty and the causes you wished to protect. Her eyes widened in shock when he grabbed her, shifting back immediately to pull out of his grasp-- with her hair tied up as it was, it made it impossible to cover what she normally didn't mind revealing with the curtain of her long tresses covering them.
Almost on impulse, her arms went around her shoulders, her blue gaze icy as she stared at the man before her with a mixture of loathing and perhaps, a hint of admiration for having been able to outwit her. But it went no more than that, and she shrunk away, backstepping slowly, never breaking her gaze. She was frightened, it was obvious. But she wasn't defeated.
"It doesn't matter what price I set, you're not going to agree until I conform to your own, are you?"
"You speak in nonsense...." Alexis chuckled instantly, lifting a brow in amusement. He had intimidated her, despite her claims to the contrary - the icing on the cake, so to speak, was the terrified look in her eyes he could see. Now it was his turn to advance upon Megumi, lowering the hand clutching at her shawl as slowly as his stride. "A negotiation is a negotiation, isn't it? Come, now - let's do be civil." The near-predatory look in his eye, perhaps a product of that sultry firelight, almost negated the words he spoke.
She could be backed into a corner; he knew this from mere experience with the girl. She had the façade of a warrior, and yet it all crumbled with good aim at any exposed weakness. It was a curious effect. A metre left between them, he stopped, even though the shadows cast about flickered along with the firelight. "Civility surely can't be extinct already," he challenged.
She was stubborn, that much was a given, which was why she never faltered from meeting his gaze though at the moment, all she wanted to do was run as far as she could. Nothing good came out of any meetings with this man, and the fact that he knew that one weakness she never wanted to reveal to the world made it all the more worse.
She steeled herself, there was no point in running when she still had the will to fight. As he came close enough for her to smell the scent of cologne on him, she felt her stomach lurch, her hands clenching tightly into fists to her sides. "Don't you dare..." she hissed. "Don't you dare speak of civility to me when you're treading into blackmail, Alexis Hargreaves." Her gaze was sharp, and so were her words, but she was feeling sicker with every word.
Another step back, she didn't realize she was closer to the wall. She however, wasn't even giving him an outright negative to the negotiation he was asking for, if only because she knew how fruitless it would be, and were it to save her lover, she quite willingly would give it up.
He had noticed it a few times, and the amusement he had gathered from hearing himself addressed so informally grew to a crescendo. Another slow step forward, almost lethargically slow, and Alexis closed in upon his prey. The wall was closer, ever so closer, and the closer it was, the more obvious it was that his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Blackmail?" His voice echoed the word almost innocently as he took another step forward. "I've not a notion as to what you mean, Miss Yamamura." One more step, and the distance had been narrowed to barely half a metre. The wall was closer, and soon it would be close enough to touch, to ensnare the prey.... He allowed himself the slightest look at the loose tendril of hair along the curve of her neck before once more focusing entirely upon the girl before him. "Now, are you to name a price, or shall I guess how much you would be willing to pay?"
Of course he didn't know, he was going to act as though he was the innocent party in this entire situation. She knew he wanted one thing more than what a man would want from a woman and she wasn't going to let him have her freedom.
Yet for Axl's sake... she paused, realizing something important. Her refusal could cost her lover his life, or worse. Her hands moved behind her, and before she could slip away, she found the cold stone of the wall pressed against her partly-bared back. A soft gasp escaping her, she reclined, her fingers tightening inwards into her partly gloved palms.
Finally, in a tight, soft voice, she hissed, "Take me in his place."
The wall now gave him the opportunity to pin Megumi against it, and Alexis took the chance the moment he saw it. His hands moved not to her, but to the wall surrounding her - she was trapped, and he'd be damned to let her escape now. The smile remained, but now his eyes were devoid of the polite charm upon the rest of his face. He had a goal to reach, and now was the time to focus upon it.
"Is that so...?" A very close offer to his own standard. The capacity of it, however, was left vague, and he wondered briefly if that had been engineered as such. The only way to come to a conclusion was to test theory upon theory. He hesitated little in moving in even closer to gauge a reaction. "And how am I to do so? Name your terms," his voice hissed out while that smile slowly faded. There was no way out, and he could see her dawning comprehension of this fact. Finally they seemed to be on the same page.
She could feel her heart thundering in her chest, as he drew closer, impolitely enough to be extremely improper under normal circumstances. This was anything but, however, and she let out a surprised sound when she was pinned back, watching him out of the corner of her eyes before she could take it no more. Inhaling sharply, her cheeks tinting a visible hue of red, she kept her face turned away, exposing the slender curve of her neck to him, adorned with the simple black coil with the tear-drop stone. A precious piece of strength for her, a gift her lover had given her.
She wasn't going to look at him, shame filling her voice. "As you please. Just... let him go. I want nothing but his freedom, with him alive, mobile and intact." Her breathing became shallow. "I'll do anything you want."
"...Anything you want." No, what he immediately wanted was far too much for just one to manifest so quickly. He could almost feel the chill coming over the room - that shrunken head, however, was far off and at least fifty metres underground. Then the fire crackled, rose once, and the light and heat climaxed. The long-term goals would not be met here, and certainly not by an outsider to the game. However, he could see a small step to it, urging him forth to it more and more.
That small tendril of hair seemed to quiver in anxiety, as though it could hear the gears in Alexis's mind twisting and grinding.
"One last chance to negotiate, madam," he muttered, looking then to the pendant about her collarbone. A stone, simple, attached to a black cord. How simple and crude it was. "You've ten seconds." That simple statement, as plain as the necklace she wore, was whispered into her ear. The gauntlet was laid before her, and he wondered whether she'd take it or simply forfeit a chance to victory.
He was really pulling his luck, wasn't he? And then it came to her... had he really wanted to ensnare her, there was no way he'd continue giving this chance. But civility demanded it, and he was getting a rise out of seeing that she had nothing else to ask for.
Her eyes half-opened, her body shivering at the initiated closeness. Then, in an unexpectedly confident voice, she whispered, "Delilah."
She wasn't blind to it and she'd had her own sources for knowing of the organization. She could feel her heart thunder in her chest. "Let me enter Delilah... and work for you, instead of you compromising my freedom for your needs. You just have to free Axl, and let him live. And I'll give you my power to your benefit." Slowly turning her head, she met her blue gaze with his. She was walking into the serpent's trap, but at least with this... she had a source of protection.
To hear her say that name, the name no one else was really supposed to know, almost stopped Alexis cold. Then again, that son of his had such the mouth - and outside the London he so knew, nearly any absurdity was welcomed as a normality. Was it, perhaps, a bluff, or was there the need to issue forth a Trump title? He had to pause a moment, stony green eyes watching the level blue stare she shot him.
Then he remembered that bluffs could be revealed by calling upon them.
"Is that it...?" His voice seemed to laugh to himself, and a curve of the corner of his mouth was indication enough of intrigue. Just how far would she go? He had ideas, all which had opportunities to be acted out just then. "Then, realise that, of course, there is an initiation ceremony." Were that that rogue High Priest there - but no matter. An unofficial capacity was easy to conceal when no witnesses were about to say otherwise. As though to indicate the nature of the initiation, he cut short any distance that there had been between the two just then. Now there was no way to back out.
"As all organizations working in the field of magic do." She wasn't an idiot, as intimidated as he could get her, but if this was the way things were going to be, then she was going to make it clear that she wasn't a whore for hire, and would never be so.
His closeness however, made her release a shocked gasp and look up at him, slightly squirming as though trying to slip free. A hint of fear showed in her eyes, and she tried to wedge an arm between them, to push him away.
"Stop! What are the conditions? How can I be sure you're going to do as you say for Axl?!"
The amusement of her attachment to this shabby young man was dulling; even still, he knew it was a good opportunity to twist her arm into cooperation. Alexis merely paused, taking her by the shoulders to stabilise that prone figure. He'd not be refused, and not when she had taken the bait so completely. Only fools would allow one of such use to escape.
"Is there really a need to spill innocent blood?" he challenged smugly. His enigmatically curved mouth pulled up at a corner. "It would be such a terrible waste if one had to resort to such barbaric measures." Perhaps it was a threat, and perhaps it was cleverly disguised in plain sight. But he knew that it was a bluff - one based in fact, however. This bluff's cost was too high to be raised by her, and he knew it wouldn't be. "A gentleman's word, surely, still accounts for something...?"
She'd learned pretty well from experience not to ever put full trust into Alexis Hargreaves and whatever he said. So when his hands came to hold her, she stilled and looked up at him, taking everything he was saying and countering it in her mind. She couldn't trust him, and she couldn't dare give in entirely. If anything, she knew she had to use this position to her advantage.
The suspicious lines had her thinking, but she knew she had no place to doubt him right now. Bringing her hands up to his forearms as he held her, she tried to shrink back. As though contemplating his words, she lowered her head, resisting the urge to make a snide comment to his about what being a gentleman meant. Then, in a soft voice, she whispered,
"The deal is null if he's harmed. And I desire a position worthy of my standing and skill. I will not be a mere minion." Raising her gaze, she looked up at him, clear with her demand. She wasn't going to be a part of the Minor cards. "My potential can be worked to your advantage at a position where it will be allowed to build to fruition."
She was haggling, now. Odd, but what else could be expected of such a lady capable of force of will? How strange, though, that she curl back and away while being so forthright. Alexis's amusement had risen once more - then he pushed in even further towards her. No permission to move, and he had the physical advantage to see to it that it would remain so.
"If one covets such power, one has to prove herself worthy of it." A simple statement broke the silence again, and this time he'd not even allow her the luxury of looking away. A hand moved from her shoulder and lifted that sunken chin, and his cool gaze bore into hers as though daring her to protest or struggle even more. "How do you intend to do that?" Quickly, then, did he give a forceful kiss - while it was strong, it was more of a gentle nudge to the gauntlet he had tossed at her feet.
She tensed visibly when his hand came to her chin, and at the kiss, her breath caught in her throat. What was he trying to say? Tensing though, making a small sound of protest, even as her hand came to push at Alexis' chest, she found herself becoming breathless.
Blue eyes meeting solid green again, she gave a short struggle, only until he asked her that question. Then, she stilled, pondering for a while, before she raised her face to his again. "Perhaps a demonstration of my skills is in order, then. Unless you have forgotten how I was able to manipulate your very biological process to my advantage." She spoke coolly, despite her position. "The question is, what would being in a position of power as that require of me?"
The contemplation upon this idea lasted far longer than one would have believed necessary. In truth, the gears were turning, grinding at a more rapid pace. The audacity to ask of him the terms of the position almost sent him reeling - then again, a substantial few before her had asked the same question before. All the answers tailored, true, and yet they fit a pattern - what was it one desired most? Right away, he knew the answer to her question. It had to be delivered at rapier-lightning speed.
"No, madam - the true question is this. What do you...," he paused, eyeing that common pendant and disguising his refined disgust at it, "... want most from life? What is your true desire?" The intended effect was the covenant statement of "ask and ye shall receive". And certainly, Megumi was no fool. No, he'd already a Fool - albeit remaining in the confines of his London.
She remained still, thinking over the words. What did she want most? A bitter thought, triggered by the very reason she was living right now surfaced-- she wanted the world to pay for hurting her, and taking her lover away from her, but now... he was here. He was her strength, her very reason for living and sanity and also the reason the most ugliest part of her had been created. The sadistic child within her.
She was noting the way he looked at her, and that further steeled her response as she spoke to him. "What I want most... is to protect the one I love and keep them near me at all times. He's been taken from me because everyone else was against it. And no one but I have that right!" She stopped, turning to glance away. "I want to never falter from being what he wants."
But of course Alexis knew that answer was forthcoming. It was, after all, the turning wheel to this scenario at present. That young man, hardly the proper cut for high society, was a weakness - weaknesses were prone to overprotection.
Fortunately, however, this particular weakness was easy to exploit and protect simultaneously. How easily it would come - almost second nature.
"Then... if that is all...." Delicately, his finger traced the outline of that pendant about her neck - never once did his touch graze along her skin, and such a move had purpose to it. "Such strength of will and protection can be given." And one of the easier ones to give, honestly. All humans had a desire - one that could and sometimes would be taken advantage of. And then, with the faintest of leans, his lips touched along the edges of her ear, and a low, deep mutter given.
"The Empress."
Megumi's heart stilled when he spoke the words, combined with his physical actions, she could feel her mind whirl with questions. Was she doing the right thing? Would this really insure Axl's freedom, his safety, for as long as they could be together?
She stirred a touch when he leaned close, her eyes closing slowly as she felt a short gasp part her lips. Instantly, her mind calculated the response. He was giving her a place within The Major Arcana. Tilting her head back just a bit, she half-opened her eyes, not moving into his suffocating embrace, but gently dipping her head so that her words were breathed against the side of his neck.
"... Very well." A breath. "My Lord." The deal had been accepted. Closing her eyes again for a moment, she thought over her options, begging forgiveness of those who had warned her, and she brought her hands up, sliding them over his shoulders, drawing back to meet his gaze again.
The deal, closed, and the matter had been settled. Now she was within his control - after all, the title was Cardmaster. The warmth of her breath, true, was enough to convince him of the appropriateness of the designation. All the same, the Empress had called forth - after all, desire was what kept even the most stoic of men nearby. Certainly, that was her greater power - he'd hone it well.
It was his duty, after all, if that talent were to assist him in his grand schemes.
The embrace was enough to disprove the acceptance as a fabrication. A lady's subordinate hold upon a man proved the position of the fairer sex, and it was obvious in her own mimicry of it. She had accepted Alexis as master, proffering herself as a pawn; a highly titled pawn, of course. But no matter the prominence, the title was still the same. "Cardmaster," he replied forcefully while taking a firm hold on her chin. "You are to address me as such in official capacities." To match such force in his voice, he once more kissed her. It wasn't out of love, nor of desire, nor even of thrill. The intent was sheer domination.
Cardmaster... it made sense, though her own submission to him wasn't ever going to be one where she would allow him to dominate her without her consent. It was there in her, perhaps a side-effect of having been ostracised her whole life as a witch made her all the more determined not to let anyone take advantage of that again.
But at this moment, she didn't feel powerful. She released a soft breath when he grabbed her by the face, listening to his words and before she could acknowledge the title, the kiss caught her off guard. She knew, that she shouldn't have ignored the signs, and almost instantly, her hand went to the side of his neck, almost as though she was urging him to stop, but instead chose to reveal her consent of it by returning the kiss, her eyes partly opening to glare at him, before she closed them and used the same amount of force to kiss him back. Enough to make a man breathless, she then pulled herself away, giving him a quiet, but stern look.
"Words alone can get the point across without needing to resort to physical means, Cardmaster."
The look within her eyes was enough of a tip-off. Alexis was no fool, and he had a notion that the girl would be inclined to struggle with her independence (he almost scoffed at the thought). There was that streak of the defiant within that stern little stare. And defiance had to be extinguished within any subordinate; surely, defiance within those whom one sublimated had no good outcome.
Breathless he was for a moment. Soon, though, his breathing had resumed a normal pace - perhaps a touch of a faster tempo. He knew not, really, if such were the case, and it didn't matter. "And physical means last longer on the memory," he replied, equal amounts of teasing innuendo and authoritarian command colouring his voice.
Physical means, true, were of a different sort of medium than verbal communication. But he knew one could not go without the other in some cases. As though to silence her, without the means of a striking blow of his hand, he took to a kiss again, pushing her further back to the study wall as the flames rose in a desperate reach for the chimney flue. It shortly ended, but the look on his face - a mixture of different shades of desire - seemed to carry it out for far longer.
She'd have preferred a slap to this. It didn't help that her former attraction to the older man was taking rise in her body and she turned her face away as though she was scoffing at the very thought-- that is, until she was kissed again, feeling her heart leap in her chest. The feeling of being dominated by a man she didn't love was sickening to her, and at the same time, she couldn't deny that it excited her when he attempted.
There was no desire in her actions, no want for this, any further and it might have been considered rape, but she wasn't going to allow that. Her chest rising and falling under her clothing from her breathing, she slid back against the wall, meeting his look with her own challenge. He could try, but he wasn't going to have her will unless she gave it.
Then, raising her hand, curling her fingers around the fabric of his jacket, she stepped closer, whispering, "Don't think you can use that to control me. If I give you my submission, it's not your will that brings it forth." The jacket then, was pushed off his shoulders, as she slid her hand behind his neck with a sudden force, almost reminicsent of two dancers in a tango. "It's my own."
He knew full well his own limitations. The human body was, after all, imperfect - but of course the boundaries of science were making such harder and harder to define. But Alexis knew he wasn't incapable of the challenge she issued underneath that coy whisper. That defiance had to be tempered, moulded into something more usable. No, she would have no room for this pathetic attempt at inflating her free will.
The trick with women, of course, was to make it seem as though the power lie with them. But it was always the other way around, no matter the illusions.
The gentle thud of wool upon the carpeted floor hardly registered, but he could feel the light, warm weight upon his shoulders gone and that hand on his neck, as though trying to compensate for the decline in temperature. "Perhaps as it should be, then, Empress." The more the concept swam about in his mind, the more it fused into this girl's identity. It wasn't a complete fusion - not yet, but he had ways to see to that. "Your will, then," he mimicked with a silken voice. And he wondered about "her will", and if it truly existed.
The title, while ascertaining her of her position now with this man, still sent chills down her spine. It was like selling her soul to the devil, for the devil saw nothing but the answers he wanted to see. And she knew there were things this man could think for her that would be out of her control now that she had willingly submitted to him.
But she couldn't let it get out of control. She still had to obey him, still had to follow the commands he set out, and it troubled her to think so. She had to steel herself, and she slowly slipped her hand free from holding his neck, still locking their gazes, before she turned away, as though she was going to leave. Any more time in his presence, and he would try to ascertain control over her in a way she knew she'd willingly not refuse. And then, she turned around, her back to him, unafraid whether he would stab her or leave her there.
"My will..." she repeated softly. "... I wonder." Peering slightly over her shoulder, but not looking at him, she asked, "... if we can agree on what we want." It was an invitation for him to take his step forward. She didn't want to rebuke him, not when being here was saving her lover's life. Closing her eyes, she steeled herself and brought a hand over her chest. "What do you desire of me, Cardmaster?"
Had he the full stacked deck of poisons at his side, Alexis would have been tempted to a small dosage, perhaps to weaken the senses - and one prick of a coated clothing needle would have done the trick, really. But, in lieu of the family tradition, there were other ways to accomplish the same task. After all, she had already been sufficiently weakened, and certain skills were at his disposal, coupled with certain knowledge that only came from exposure to this girl. Weaknesses, weaknesses.
"Almost impertinent of you to question," he replied, leaving a moment's worth of silence between them both. He'd not have backed away, and hardly was this the case to bring forth a pistol to do the job. That space he had left between them was intentional - perhaps to lead her on and allow her the thought that she would not be shown her place. But all illusions to that effect were shattered when he let one hand move gently over the curve of an exposed shoulder. "As such, the penalty is for you to guess." And then his other arm coiled about her waist so suddenly, jerking her back in a swift motion. He'd not let her escape, and the tight hold that arm had definitely conveyed his intent.
With her hair tied up the way it was, there was no room for her to exercise her magic into shielding her, and she had hoped that her distance would discourage him from pursuing anything else. She knew the webs of charm he weaved around his prey, that was what had ensnared her in the first place and it made her conscience burn with guilt at how willingly she enjoyed it. Perhaps in this, her otherworldly side was subdued by the passion found in a human body.
The touch on her shoulder made her tense, giving her goosebumps, but it wasn't until he pulled her back with a tug, her back against his form and the feeling of his chest against her back, that she let out a soft gasp of surprise, bringing a hand over his arm around her waist, but her hand trembling in response.
"Don't..." The blush was appearing on her face, contradicting her words. But she didn't let her sentence complete, instead, moving her freed hand up to his to push his arm away. "This isn't necessary."
Unnecessary... no, she had no idea of the necessity of it. His arm tensed further, keeping her from struggling further. Alexis had foregone the more delicate signals for this girl - it sometimes took a stronger cue to drive the point home, and it seemed to be required of this situation. He was far from a stranger at this act. "That isn't for you to decide," he responded matter-of-factly. Any denial of this, he knew, was insubordination. Insubordinates had the nasty effect of getting in the way, yet they could be extinguished.
It was almost a game to see just how rosy those cheeks could get in his presence. A tempting thought, really; he didn't resist such temptation when that hand at her shoulder coursed down over that thinly veiled arm. He certainly gave way to it by placing a few delicate kisses along that exposed neck - one so slender that it surely gave way to the Oriental blood within her. She really had little knowledge of what was within the bounds of necessity. The thought prompted a small, yet fierce, bite just below her earlobe. But he knew well enough she was no fool; she'd certainly understand the message conveyed.
The initiated intimacy made her arch back against his form, her blue eyes widening in shock at both words and actions. He was meaning to... and now, she was in no position to fight him, who knew what the consequences would be? But even then, she wasn't going to give him the pleasure of being so submissive so as to take this lying down. Even though his actions did more than just invoke the memory of his past unsuccessful attempts, the attraction worked against her.
The bite caused her to cry out, softly, stifled despite the thrilling pleasure it sent down her form, and the heat of his body behind her added to what she was continuously trying to ignore. She could feel her eyes beginning to well up in frustration, and she jerked her face to the side, exposing more of her neck to him, but she didn't make any movements to pull away physically. "You've made your point, what does this have to do with anything?"
He had toyed mildly with the thought of confusing her with emotional words - it would have proven a fine distraction, and it certainly had worked to some degree with Augusta. To a certain degree, considering the manner in which that scenario had played out. The circumstances were different, almost vastly so. Yet the temptation to see the reaction it would merit on Megumi was a very amusing thought. Perhaps later... stronger words to be reserved for other times.
"Not your place to know, is it?" Assertion of authority was the goal. In that neat little sentence did he summarise it well, as did his touch, moving down from that arm to grasp at her tender thigh. Another thought amused him so, he could not hold back an almost wry chuckle. "You've much to understand," he muttered, nearly to himself, while letting his chin rest upon the curve of her neck. Oh, so much to understand.
A soft sound of protest escaped her as her eyes widened at his touch and his words-- he really was attempting to dominate her and she hardly had the will to resist. As he brought his face close, she felt her body tense, a hand going behind her, circling to his side and trying to balance herself, eyes closing as her free hand moved out to her side, unwittingly pressing her back against his body, fitting herself completely against him. She couldn't feel him aroused, so he was probably still just mocking her, but what he was doing to her was more than obvious.
Her eyes half-opening as she touched the side of her face to his head resting on her shoulder, her chest rising and falling with each tight breath, she bit down on her lower lip. "There's nothing that cannot be explained without coming down to this..." her words trailed off, the blush on her cheek becoming stronger. Realizing the dangerous vulnerability she was displaying, she gasped, quickly beginning to pull away, this time with more force, bringing a hand to push his off her waist. "Let go."
Quite the vulnerability - he could see the deepening crimson on her cheek, hear the shallowness of her breath, the subtle rise and fall of her chest. How strange that such a simple primordial act could reduce her to this. True, he had known this facet of her all along, but the verification of it merely heightened the importance. His arm tightened, remaining stiff and unyielding. Megumi had intended to cooperate with his orders - she did not say whether they were of the verbal or physical nature, however.
"As I said...." That moment he relinquished hold of her, only to turn her about once more and push her back to the wall. Alexis wanted her to look him in the eye; he was allowing her a generous manoeuvre, the chance to act upon the situation as a perfect servant to his will. "You've so much to understand." He was not necessarily physically enticed yet, even though it was beginning to show faintly, but the intensity of the kiss he then initiated seemed engineered to keep her where she was, out of pure desire.
She let out a gasp of shock, momentarily fearful at what he was going to do, before the kiss came. Her mouth that had parted in a gasp easily accepted the given action, her hands flying up to his shirt, fingers curling around the front even as her heart thundered in her chest. Closing her eyes as she tried to pull her head back, stopped only by the wall and crushed between it and his body, she found herself breathless, and breathing in through her nose, she found herself returning the kiss fully, trying not to feel as wretched and dirty as she was now.
When the kiss ended, she re-opened her eyes, glancing up at the man's feral green eyes, breathing softly as she turned her face away again, attempting to push him off her. She could see herself faltering to him, and her resistance was becoming weaker. She couldn't, couldn't give this man the pleasure of seeing that.
The sheer persistence she displayed was almost to the point of irritation. Luckily, though, Alexis had no intent to use any other physical violence upon her, besides, perhaps, the slight extension of it he was displaying then. But even through such persistence, he could see that her defences were weakening. Attempt all she could, there still was no way he would relent. Not when he was this close to accomplishing the immediate goal.
His stare looked almost poisonous - in a sense, it seemed more of a sweeter sort, albeit still the catalyst to fatality. A hypnotic dark green... yes, he had heard that the colouring was similar to one of those little vials of poisons. Briefly, he shot a glare to Megumi, but it softened as a chuckle left and a smile curved. The audacity... it was almost ridiculous. Intensity had not left any of his actions; in fact, when he moved in for yet another overwhelming kiss, it seemed that the sheer force of it had increased. He was highly intent on seeing Megumi's submission... after all, it was a sort of initiation.
She wasn't a witch for nothing-- resistance had been what she'd taught herself in order to escape the sceptics and haters who had condemned her heritage. But almost terrified when he looked at her the way he did, she found her body falling slack in response to the forcefully given kiss, and she released a soft sound of protest, trying to firmly shut her mouth, but instead, the heat of their bodies as close as they were made her numb to any approaching resistance.
Now, her hands that had been struggling to push the older man away seemed to be drawing him close, her entire body shivering from their intimacy and how much it was arousing her. When the kiss ended, she released a soft sob, breathing softly as she lowered her gaze, cheek against Alexis' jaw.
"What do you want from me now...?" she asked in a breathless whisper. It wasn't an open question. She just wanted him to state his current intentions for her clearly.
More questions. Alexis had never appreciated such questions like these; his agenda was purely his own, and little explanation was needed in most cases. In such a case, there was no need whatsoever. "Is that something you need to know?" he asked lazily, a bland look on his face while she rested her cheek upon his jaw. Only mildly irritating - were there no means to keeping the jaw of a woman shut? But he already knew the answer to that.
Suddenly, he jerked her chin back up and launched into one more rather heated kiss. A mere distraction - during which he took her into an escorting hold and led her to the nearby sofa. This primordial act, base in its underlying nature, would certainly keep any and all questions at bay for the time being. The kiss was broken, almost as though lifting a spell from Megumi; yet still he kept her too close for comfort while one hand moved sensually, possessively, down the curve of her back. Strange, though, how his collected, almost stonily so, expression didn't seem to counteract with anything else.
It was overwhelming, and while she was moved, she could feel herself growing sick with impatience-- it was clear what he wanted, and the fact that this was being done against everything she stood for-- no intimacy without love, no submission without consent... and yet, she realized she was victimizing herself needlessly. She knew, understood that there was an attraction to the older man and that he, regardless of his attempts at domination, wouldn't be doing this were he not interested in the slightest.
Her hand sliding around the back of his neck, into his hair, she found her breathing shaky as she broke the kiss, and no sooner had she recovered from that that the touch on her back made her inhale sharply, the visible signs of her having liked that showing on her, her cheeks red and the way she turned her face away, almost as though she was guilty for feeling that pleasure. Looking back at him, blue eyes meeting green again, she moved a hand over his shoulder, and then grabbing him by the front of his shirt, pulled him in for a deep, heated, knee-weakening kiss.
If this was going to happen, then she wasn't going to allow herself to be taken nonconsensually.
All defences had been shattered right then. It wasn't an assumption - no, Alexis had the knack at hearing that delicate shatter of a weakness penetrating through the armour. It was too obvious in the hold her hand had upon his shirt, the fire with which she played as she reciprocated his actions, the sharp inhalations and low moans he could hear from his sparring partner. Indeed, it was a spar, a fight for true dominion within their intriguing interpersonal bond. Even though she was still fighting back, somehow, he had the feeling he would win. He did, after all, hold an ace up his sleeve.
He had let it seem as though she had a small victory for a moment, but only until he took initiative to gently usher her to at least sit upon the dark upholstery of the sofa. There was a mild attraction to her frame... then again, it was only too easy to think such when she bore a faint resemblance to another conquest of his. Nonetheless, it started to show, and only then did he choose to break free, this time, of her strange spell - that kiss.
The focus soon lent itself to that neck, that gracefully curved neck. Her skin was quite warm there, even warmer once his lips traced over it in a slow path downward. And even though he saw that pendant, he did not pause - he had no reason to. After all, the very pawn, unknowing of his true title, served the purpose intended well. That pendant was, perhaps, partially the reason a new facet of power had been added to his arsenal. Thus, without even so much as a glance or sneer, Alexis only let his fingertips trace about the pendant, the cord, and the flesh that resided underneath it.
Brought down into a seated position, her head tilted to a side, eyes partly opened at the feeling of his mouth against her neck. Her own hand at his chest, swiftly undoing the front buttons, even as her entire body warmed and succumbed to his attention. He was no Axl, would never be him, and his intentions would never match her lover's. Her hand behind his neck came into his hair and she released a soft moan, moving her face close until she could trace her lips under his ear, and once the buttons were undone, her hand rest upon his chest.
She had to hold back her tears, and the shivering sob that breathed past her lips was stifled to the best of her abilities, merging with the gasp of pleasure at the way he was touching her.
"Ah..." She knew she shouldn't resist. The more she resisted, the longer it would seem...
'... This isn't how it was supposed to be. This isn't... damn him. Damn him and everything he stands for... Axl.. Cain... Please forgive me. How will I ever face you now?'
rating; R.
characters; Alexis Hargreaves (
maitre_de_carte), Megumi Yamamura (pinkenglishrose).summary; After her capture, Megumi faces the Devil - and is offered a deal. But everyone knows what's said about deals with the Devil.
log;
His captive had been so artfully delivered, and soon the conflict itself would begin. It was only too obvious the attachment the girl had to such the uncouth young man, but perhaps the allure of a street rat would even turn the head of such a female. Alexis didn't understand the charm of it, but he knew the effect of it upon an otherwise sane and rational young lady. But this time the charm worked to his advantage. She had fallen into his cleverly engineered trap, and so well, too. Now she lie on the sofa within his cosy study, unconscious, unaware yet of the deal he had for her.
Her chest rising and falling gently was indication enough of the excellent job his associate had performed; from his account, it had been just as promised from the crafty doctor. Even his long white coat, nearly pristine save for a few patches of dirt here and there, was gone from her shoulders, back on its proper owner. How clever, really, was the entire hoax; it was too obvious she would pursue him should he let loose the fact that he had her love interest in his grasp.
If anything, Alexis knew she could be outsmarted. She already had been.
A confident little smirk curved his mouth, even as the smoke from the pipe curled upward thoughtfully. It lasted about the length of time the smoke itself did; then the tobacco, fully burned, was extinguished, and the smirk was put away with the pipe. The delicate sensibilities of ladies certainly could not tolerate the fumes, and he was certain that, soon, she would awaken - but not to rebel against him with her witchcraft. He had taken special precautions - Alicia had ever the skill to shape hair into a respectable, hardly vulgar, twist. There would be no such uprising against him. The proof he had acquired would make certain of that.
Too much had happened to really want to wake up. The battle earlier hadn't helped in any way, and had it not been for Doctor Muraki, she knew she would have been a goner. But now, there was hardly any thought, none conscious at least-- no, it was in the blissful slumber of exhaustion that she found herself grow numb. And what was worse, was her own growing weakness that even her subconscious was trying to warn her about. The very reason that she began to stir, and then... a flicker of her eyelids before they flew open, an odd-- but not unfamiliar scent hitting her nose.
... it came from a pipe. Her first thoughts before her eyes focused on the ceiling before she became aware that most of her charms that she used to defend herself from impurities were-- gone. She blinked, groaning softly and attempting to sit up resulted in extreme pain-- how strange. She would have healed after some rest, no matter the gravity of the injury-- then--
And it was then she realized that her hair was tied. Her eyes widened and perhaps it was that force of shock alone that made her sit up, knowing only one person could have thought of doing so while she was unconscious. It was then she noticed a light cashmere shawl, matching the shade of her clothing, wrapped over her shoulders, possibly to have kept her warm and that was the only thing that could have made her doubt where she was. Until she turned her head and saw.
"..!! You!!" The accusatory gasp was followed by a shocked stare, but she couldn't do much else. She didn't have the advantage here. Not with her physical condition as it was right now, and realizing that was when her gaze settled on him. Startled, her hands moving to her sides, she stared in surprise at the one man who could have gotten her here at all. But-- Muraki was-- she steeled herself, wincing when she felt pain in her movement. "You never give up, do you...?" she hissed, despite herself.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, madam," Alexis replied calmly, watching as she attempted to sort out just how she had come here. Of course, he knew the whole manner of it - he held the advantage, truly, for she was left with only half the truth to work with. A strange turn of the situation, but it was one long overdue. She would whinge, protest, and accuse all she wanted, but in reality, there was little else she could do. The upper hand was his now.
He seemed to smile to himself - whether it was at the notion of her protests or at the thought of his control on her remained shrouded in mystery. "You must be warm by now - I confess, when you first arrived here tonight, you felt a touch cold," he remarked, gesturing lazily to the fire from the winged armchair in which he had taken to a regal seat. "Quite the chilling evening. The shawl must help, I suppose." Casually, his hand slipped into a pocket of his jacket, bringing out what at first glance appeared to be a handkerchief. The firelight flickered, though, and the clear print of red, blue and white crossed bars showed this was no ordinary handkerchief.
Idly, his fingers played with the folded corners of it, even as his stare moved back to settle upon his captive. "You look a touch pale - are you feeling well?"
Oh, how she wanted to roll her eyes at that. She was about to retaliate, or at least tug the shawl off-- she didn't want any excuse of his 'hospitality' but there were two things stopping her. The first being the lack of energy in her body-- enough for her to slowly move-- and give her immense agony while doing so, and the next-- being the attention she was focusing on him diverted to the object in his hand.
It didn't take her more than a millisecond to recognize what it was, and why it was with him. Dr. Muraki's words resounded in her head, and she felt the color drain from her face as she stared at it, and then at Alexis' face in what was clear, open shock.
So it was true-- he had... but wait. Surely-- she stopped, composed herself. Axl wasn't so foolish so as to get captured by someone like him!! He was a fighter, and a great one at that!! Her eyes narrowed as she focused her dark blue gaze directly onto him. She wasn't going to elaborate, didn't need to, no matter how much she knew, and somewhat expected him to toy with her for it.
"Where is he?" Her question was clear, and so was her voice. Though she felt like undoing her hair right then and teaching him a lesson, she didn't know what to expect from him after she'd done so. What if... just what if, he'd already harmed her lover? She didn't want to think of what would happen to her then.
Her question directly cut through the silence. It was almost as forceful as a ray of sunlight through shadows, and the thought instantly struck him as vulgar. However, Alexis remained in his seat, never the one to move first, and the smile met the question almost dismissively as his fingers still idly toyed with the stolen token now in his possession. Her manners had clearly deteriorated.
"I've no idea of what you speak," he replied pleasantly, raising a brow and pocketing the damning evidence, the smoking gun. "Perhaps you should clarify a bit." Prolong it, pull out distraction upon distraction, and then, perhaps, he would attain his goal with an additional effect to his favour. He cleared his throat then, muttering a short apology before continuing, "Come now, no need to be so stiff." At that code, the door let a silent click of the lock loose. His servant's orders had been succinct and clear: lock the door as quietly as possible and keep the key under her guard in case of intruders. When his vision caught sight of the turned lock, he knew to raise his maid-of-all-works' salary generously.
And then here he was, alone again with the girl witch who seemed, at times, so easy to draw in.... He was going to prove the value of that statement just now.
She knew he was going to do this. And right now, there was no question of displaying any sort of manners to him, not when he'd threatened the very reason she even remained sane. While she didn't raise her voice, her expression alone spoke volumes. She'd never been quite good with that.
"Spare me the false pleasantry, Lord Hargreaves." She replied calmly. "I'm not here to sit. I demand to know where Axl is." She was only just able to make out the sound of the lock. Her heart skipping a beat, she lowered her hand, facing the man directly.
Still, as ever, she was determined to slash her way through the conversation as though wielding a machete to the bamboo in the Congo. It lacked little subtlety; he controlled the urge to sneer at such crudity, however. "As stated, I do know of his location," he indulged slightly, still smiling gently as he rose from the chair and took a step away from her. "And perhaps he still is in the same location, as I've taken measures to stabilise such."
The fire crackled loudly, and the flame seemed to lend a brilliant flash of light to his eyes. Yet still, he remained nonchalant in movement, turning to a staircase further from Megumi to placidly scan the bookshelves. "However, I fear I cannot indulge in such a shortness of politesse, madam. You see, it would be uncouth of me to act as such towards a lady." His voice almost seemed to take on an edge in the otherwise gentle tone he spoke in, and somehow his eyes narrowed as they looked across the room to her once more. "Certainly you understand."
It was hardly a matter of showing politeness and she certainly wasn't in the mood for such foolish talk. She was unarmed, yes, but that didn't mean she'd lost all sense of pride. With him speaking the way he was to her, though, she couldn't help but let out a short, derisive sound.
"I understand all that is to be understood about your modus operandi, Lord Hargreaves. I assure you, your intimidation will not weave its way over me. And no amount of denial is going to keep your actions from being revealed as to what they are." Inwardly, she cringed at her own confident delivery. She was close to panicking. Not good...
Alexis paused momentarily to look over fully at her. He was tempted to retort something vicious, but he knew better than to do something that foolish. A low chuckle broke the silence after a few moments, and he returned to his calm duty of scanning the book spines with seeming half-interest. The calmer he would act, the further she would spiral into irrationality... he knew that too well, honestly, and he could sense it was merely beginning.
"I'm afraid I've no idea what you are talking about," he replied casually, pulling out a tome momentarily to examine the cover. "Oh, bother-" he shoved the book back in quickly - "I seem to have forgotten the original thread of conversation." He moved further down the bookcase, further from her, further into rationality and cunning and further from the panic he could sense bubbling underneath the surface. "Care to redirect the conversation, madam?"
Big mistake. Big, big mistake. She knew what he was doing, quite obviously so, but it was frustrating her-- Axl was the very reason she lived, existed, and to have his presence taken away from her when she needed him the most... especially by this very man, with his devil may care attitude, intending to rile her up...
Big mistake. Her expression darkened, eyes black with vehemence at his attitude, though she knew any action on her part could further put Axl into danger. She was only hoping, praying rather, that whatever happened, he fought his way free... somehow. Somehow.
"Stop it!" she exclaimed, her hands moving to the sides of her head, before lowering them and then, swiftly moving towards him until she was standing a few feet away. "I've had enough of your games! Your concern is with me, not with him! Let Axl go, Alexis Hargreaves!!" Her expression became somewhat pained despite her attempts to control it. "You have no right to involve him!"
The hysteria had bubbled up into a steam, and he could even fancifully imagine smoke coming from Megumi's ears while she raised her voice. Alexis knew he had pulled upon the correct thread - the very one that would aid him in his plans. When he stared at her from the corner of his eye, he could see a thin strand of hair tickling her neck. Yes, pull at the right threads, and anyone can become a puppet to someone's will. Just a sharp tug, though.
His hand reached out, pulling upon the ends of the shawl about Megumi's shoulders. "A favour like that doesn't come free, madam." The hand wasn't sleight, but soon the shawl was in his hands, free of its owner's curves. His gaze paused upon it, seemingly in rumination, before a sharp look met Megumi. "What price do you believe is fitting?" he asked smoothly. He had set it already, but it never failed to bring amusement to see hopeless negotiations.
Sometimes there was a conflict of interests where it came to protecting modesty and the causes you wished to protect. Her eyes widened in shock when he grabbed her, shifting back immediately to pull out of his grasp-- with her hair tied up as it was, it made it impossible to cover what she normally didn't mind revealing with the curtain of her long tresses covering them.
Almost on impulse, her arms went around her shoulders, her blue gaze icy as she stared at the man before her with a mixture of loathing and perhaps, a hint of admiration for having been able to outwit her. But it went no more than that, and she shrunk away, backstepping slowly, never breaking her gaze. She was frightened, it was obvious. But she wasn't defeated.
"It doesn't matter what price I set, you're not going to agree until I conform to your own, are you?"
"You speak in nonsense...." Alexis chuckled instantly, lifting a brow in amusement. He had intimidated her, despite her claims to the contrary - the icing on the cake, so to speak, was the terrified look in her eyes he could see. Now it was his turn to advance upon Megumi, lowering the hand clutching at her shawl as slowly as his stride. "A negotiation is a negotiation, isn't it? Come, now - let's do be civil." The near-predatory look in his eye, perhaps a product of that sultry firelight, almost negated the words he spoke.
She could be backed into a corner; he knew this from mere experience with the girl. She had the façade of a warrior, and yet it all crumbled with good aim at any exposed weakness. It was a curious effect. A metre left between them, he stopped, even though the shadows cast about flickered along with the firelight. "Civility surely can't be extinct already," he challenged.
She was stubborn, that much was a given, which was why she never faltered from meeting his gaze though at the moment, all she wanted to do was run as far as she could. Nothing good came out of any meetings with this man, and the fact that he knew that one weakness she never wanted to reveal to the world made it all the more worse.
She steeled herself, there was no point in running when she still had the will to fight. As he came close enough for her to smell the scent of cologne on him, she felt her stomach lurch, her hands clenching tightly into fists to her sides. "Don't you dare..." she hissed. "Don't you dare speak of civility to me when you're treading into blackmail, Alexis Hargreaves." Her gaze was sharp, and so were her words, but she was feeling sicker with every word.
Another step back, she didn't realize she was closer to the wall. She however, wasn't even giving him an outright negative to the negotiation he was asking for, if only because she knew how fruitless it would be, and were it to save her lover, she quite willingly would give it up.
He had noticed it a few times, and the amusement he had gathered from hearing himself addressed so informally grew to a crescendo. Another slow step forward, almost lethargically slow, and Alexis closed in upon his prey. The wall was closer, ever so closer, and the closer it was, the more obvious it was that his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Blackmail?" His voice echoed the word almost innocently as he took another step forward. "I've not a notion as to what you mean, Miss Yamamura." One more step, and the distance had been narrowed to barely half a metre. The wall was closer, and soon it would be close enough to touch, to ensnare the prey.... He allowed himself the slightest look at the loose tendril of hair along the curve of her neck before once more focusing entirely upon the girl before him. "Now, are you to name a price, or shall I guess how much you would be willing to pay?"
Of course he didn't know, he was going to act as though he was the innocent party in this entire situation. She knew he wanted one thing more than what a man would want from a woman and she wasn't going to let him have her freedom.
Yet for Axl's sake... she paused, realizing something important. Her refusal could cost her lover his life, or worse. Her hands moved behind her, and before she could slip away, she found the cold stone of the wall pressed against her partly-bared back. A soft gasp escaping her, she reclined, her fingers tightening inwards into her partly gloved palms.
Finally, in a tight, soft voice, she hissed, "Take me in his place."
The wall now gave him the opportunity to pin Megumi against it, and Alexis took the chance the moment he saw it. His hands moved not to her, but to the wall surrounding her - she was trapped, and he'd be damned to let her escape now. The smile remained, but now his eyes were devoid of the polite charm upon the rest of his face. He had a goal to reach, and now was the time to focus upon it.
"Is that so...?" A very close offer to his own standard. The capacity of it, however, was left vague, and he wondered briefly if that had been engineered as such. The only way to come to a conclusion was to test theory upon theory. He hesitated little in moving in even closer to gauge a reaction. "And how am I to do so? Name your terms," his voice hissed out while that smile slowly faded. There was no way out, and he could see her dawning comprehension of this fact. Finally they seemed to be on the same page.
She could feel her heart thundering in her chest, as he drew closer, impolitely enough to be extremely improper under normal circumstances. This was anything but, however, and she let out a surprised sound when she was pinned back, watching him out of the corner of her eyes before she could take it no more. Inhaling sharply, her cheeks tinting a visible hue of red, she kept her face turned away, exposing the slender curve of her neck to him, adorned with the simple black coil with the tear-drop stone. A precious piece of strength for her, a gift her lover had given her.
She wasn't going to look at him, shame filling her voice. "As you please. Just... let him go. I want nothing but his freedom, with him alive, mobile and intact." Her breathing became shallow. "I'll do anything you want."
"...Anything you want." No, what he immediately wanted was far too much for just one to manifest so quickly. He could almost feel the chill coming over the room - that shrunken head, however, was far off and at least fifty metres underground. Then the fire crackled, rose once, and the light and heat climaxed. The long-term goals would not be met here, and certainly not by an outsider to the game. However, he could see a small step to it, urging him forth to it more and more.
That small tendril of hair seemed to quiver in anxiety, as though it could hear the gears in Alexis's mind twisting and grinding.
"One last chance to negotiate, madam," he muttered, looking then to the pendant about her collarbone. A stone, simple, attached to a black cord. How simple and crude it was. "You've ten seconds." That simple statement, as plain as the necklace she wore, was whispered into her ear. The gauntlet was laid before her, and he wondered whether she'd take it or simply forfeit a chance to victory.
He was really pulling his luck, wasn't he? And then it came to her... had he really wanted to ensnare her, there was no way he'd continue giving this chance. But civility demanded it, and he was getting a rise out of seeing that she had nothing else to ask for.
Her eyes half-opened, her body shivering at the initiated closeness. Then, in an unexpectedly confident voice, she whispered, "Delilah."
She wasn't blind to it and she'd had her own sources for knowing of the organization. She could feel her heart thunder in her chest. "Let me enter Delilah... and work for you, instead of you compromising my freedom for your needs. You just have to free Axl, and let him live. And I'll give you my power to your benefit." Slowly turning her head, she met her blue gaze with his. She was walking into the serpent's trap, but at least with this... she had a source of protection.
To hear her say that name, the name no one else was really supposed to know, almost stopped Alexis cold. Then again, that son of his had such the mouth - and outside the London he so knew, nearly any absurdity was welcomed as a normality. Was it, perhaps, a bluff, or was there the need to issue forth a Trump title? He had to pause a moment, stony green eyes watching the level blue stare she shot him.
Then he remembered that bluffs could be revealed by calling upon them.
"Is that it...?" His voice seemed to laugh to himself, and a curve of the corner of his mouth was indication enough of intrigue. Just how far would she go? He had ideas, all which had opportunities to be acted out just then. "Then, realise that, of course, there is an initiation ceremony." Were that that rogue High Priest there - but no matter. An unofficial capacity was easy to conceal when no witnesses were about to say otherwise. As though to indicate the nature of the initiation, he cut short any distance that there had been between the two just then. Now there was no way to back out.
"As all organizations working in the field of magic do." She wasn't an idiot, as intimidated as he could get her, but if this was the way things were going to be, then she was going to make it clear that she wasn't a whore for hire, and would never be so.
His closeness however, made her release a shocked gasp and look up at him, slightly squirming as though trying to slip free. A hint of fear showed in her eyes, and she tried to wedge an arm between them, to push him away.
"Stop! What are the conditions? How can I be sure you're going to do as you say for Axl?!"
The amusement of her attachment to this shabby young man was dulling; even still, he knew it was a good opportunity to twist her arm into cooperation. Alexis merely paused, taking her by the shoulders to stabilise that prone figure. He'd not be refused, and not when she had taken the bait so completely. Only fools would allow one of such use to escape.
"Is there really a need to spill innocent blood?" he challenged smugly. His enigmatically curved mouth pulled up at a corner. "It would be such a terrible waste if one had to resort to such barbaric measures." Perhaps it was a threat, and perhaps it was cleverly disguised in plain sight. But he knew that it was a bluff - one based in fact, however. This bluff's cost was too high to be raised by her, and he knew it wouldn't be. "A gentleman's word, surely, still accounts for something...?"
She'd learned pretty well from experience not to ever put full trust into Alexis Hargreaves and whatever he said. So when his hands came to hold her, she stilled and looked up at him, taking everything he was saying and countering it in her mind. She couldn't trust him, and she couldn't dare give in entirely. If anything, she knew she had to use this position to her advantage.
The suspicious lines had her thinking, but she knew she had no place to doubt him right now. Bringing her hands up to his forearms as he held her, she tried to shrink back. As though contemplating his words, she lowered her head, resisting the urge to make a snide comment to his about what being a gentleman meant. Then, in a soft voice, she whispered,
"The deal is null if he's harmed. And I desire a position worthy of my standing and skill. I will not be a mere minion." Raising her gaze, she looked up at him, clear with her demand. She wasn't going to be a part of the Minor cards. "My potential can be worked to your advantage at a position where it will be allowed to build to fruition."
She was haggling, now. Odd, but what else could be expected of such a lady capable of force of will? How strange, though, that she curl back and away while being so forthright. Alexis's amusement had risen once more - then he pushed in even further towards her. No permission to move, and he had the physical advantage to see to it that it would remain so.
"If one covets such power, one has to prove herself worthy of it." A simple statement broke the silence again, and this time he'd not even allow her the luxury of looking away. A hand moved from her shoulder and lifted that sunken chin, and his cool gaze bore into hers as though daring her to protest or struggle even more. "How do you intend to do that?" Quickly, then, did he give a forceful kiss - while it was strong, it was more of a gentle nudge to the gauntlet he had tossed at her feet.
She tensed visibly when his hand came to her chin, and at the kiss, her breath caught in her throat. What was he trying to say? Tensing though, making a small sound of protest, even as her hand came to push at Alexis' chest, she found herself becoming breathless.
Blue eyes meeting solid green again, she gave a short struggle, only until he asked her that question. Then, she stilled, pondering for a while, before she raised her face to his again. "Perhaps a demonstration of my skills is in order, then. Unless you have forgotten how I was able to manipulate your very biological process to my advantage." She spoke coolly, despite her position. "The question is, what would being in a position of power as that require of me?"
The contemplation upon this idea lasted far longer than one would have believed necessary. In truth, the gears were turning, grinding at a more rapid pace. The audacity to ask of him the terms of the position almost sent him reeling - then again, a substantial few before her had asked the same question before. All the answers tailored, true, and yet they fit a pattern - what was it one desired most? Right away, he knew the answer to her question. It had to be delivered at rapier-lightning speed.
"No, madam - the true question is this. What do you...," he paused, eyeing that common pendant and disguising his refined disgust at it, "... want most from life? What is your true desire?" The intended effect was the covenant statement of "ask and ye shall receive". And certainly, Megumi was no fool. No, he'd already a Fool - albeit remaining in the confines of his London.
She remained still, thinking over the words. What did she want most? A bitter thought, triggered by the very reason she was living right now surfaced-- she wanted the world to pay for hurting her, and taking her lover away from her, but now... he was here. He was her strength, her very reason for living and sanity and also the reason the most ugliest part of her had been created. The sadistic child within her.
She was noting the way he looked at her, and that further steeled her response as she spoke to him. "What I want most... is to protect the one I love and keep them near me at all times. He's been taken from me because everyone else was against it. And no one but I have that right!" She stopped, turning to glance away. "I want to never falter from being what he wants."
But of course Alexis knew that answer was forthcoming. It was, after all, the turning wheel to this scenario at present. That young man, hardly the proper cut for high society, was a weakness - weaknesses were prone to overprotection.
Fortunately, however, this particular weakness was easy to exploit and protect simultaneously. How easily it would come - almost second nature.
"Then... if that is all...." Delicately, his finger traced the outline of that pendant about her neck - never once did his touch graze along her skin, and such a move had purpose to it. "Such strength of will and protection can be given." And one of the easier ones to give, honestly. All humans had a desire - one that could and sometimes would be taken advantage of. And then, with the faintest of leans, his lips touched along the edges of her ear, and a low, deep mutter given.
"The Empress."
Megumi's heart stilled when he spoke the words, combined with his physical actions, she could feel her mind whirl with questions. Was she doing the right thing? Would this really insure Axl's freedom, his safety, for as long as they could be together?
She stirred a touch when he leaned close, her eyes closing slowly as she felt a short gasp part her lips. Instantly, her mind calculated the response. He was giving her a place within The Major Arcana. Tilting her head back just a bit, she half-opened her eyes, not moving into his suffocating embrace, but gently dipping her head so that her words were breathed against the side of his neck.
"... Very well." A breath. "My Lord." The deal had been accepted. Closing her eyes again for a moment, she thought over her options, begging forgiveness of those who had warned her, and she brought her hands up, sliding them over his shoulders, drawing back to meet his gaze again.
The deal, closed, and the matter had been settled. Now she was within his control - after all, the title was Cardmaster. The warmth of her breath, true, was enough to convince him of the appropriateness of the designation. All the same, the Empress had called forth - after all, desire was what kept even the most stoic of men nearby. Certainly, that was her greater power - he'd hone it well.
It was his duty, after all, if that talent were to assist him in his grand schemes.
The embrace was enough to disprove the acceptance as a fabrication. A lady's subordinate hold upon a man proved the position of the fairer sex, and it was obvious in her own mimicry of it. She had accepted Alexis as master, proffering herself as a pawn; a highly titled pawn, of course. But no matter the prominence, the title was still the same. "Cardmaster," he replied forcefully while taking a firm hold on her chin. "You are to address me as such in official capacities." To match such force in his voice, he once more kissed her. It wasn't out of love, nor of desire, nor even of thrill. The intent was sheer domination.
Cardmaster... it made sense, though her own submission to him wasn't ever going to be one where she would allow him to dominate her without her consent. It was there in her, perhaps a side-effect of having been ostracised her whole life as a witch made her all the more determined not to let anyone take advantage of that again.
But at this moment, she didn't feel powerful. She released a soft breath when he grabbed her by the face, listening to his words and before she could acknowledge the title, the kiss caught her off guard. She knew, that she shouldn't have ignored the signs, and almost instantly, her hand went to the side of his neck, almost as though she was urging him to stop, but instead chose to reveal her consent of it by returning the kiss, her eyes partly opening to glare at him, before she closed them and used the same amount of force to kiss him back. Enough to make a man breathless, she then pulled herself away, giving him a quiet, but stern look.
"Words alone can get the point across without needing to resort to physical means, Cardmaster."
The look within her eyes was enough of a tip-off. Alexis was no fool, and he had a notion that the girl would be inclined to struggle with her independence (he almost scoffed at the thought). There was that streak of the defiant within that stern little stare. And defiance had to be extinguished within any subordinate; surely, defiance within those whom one sublimated had no good outcome.
Breathless he was for a moment. Soon, though, his breathing had resumed a normal pace - perhaps a touch of a faster tempo. He knew not, really, if such were the case, and it didn't matter. "And physical means last longer on the memory," he replied, equal amounts of teasing innuendo and authoritarian command colouring his voice.
Physical means, true, were of a different sort of medium than verbal communication. But he knew one could not go without the other in some cases. As though to silence her, without the means of a striking blow of his hand, he took to a kiss again, pushing her further back to the study wall as the flames rose in a desperate reach for the chimney flue. It shortly ended, but the look on his face - a mixture of different shades of desire - seemed to carry it out for far longer.
She'd have preferred a slap to this. It didn't help that her former attraction to the older man was taking rise in her body and she turned her face away as though she was scoffing at the very thought-- that is, until she was kissed again, feeling her heart leap in her chest. The feeling of being dominated by a man she didn't love was sickening to her, and at the same time, she couldn't deny that it excited her when he attempted.
There was no desire in her actions, no want for this, any further and it might have been considered rape, but she wasn't going to allow that. Her chest rising and falling under her clothing from her breathing, she slid back against the wall, meeting his look with her own challenge. He could try, but he wasn't going to have her will unless she gave it.
Then, raising her hand, curling her fingers around the fabric of his jacket, she stepped closer, whispering, "Don't think you can use that to control me. If I give you my submission, it's not your will that brings it forth." The jacket then, was pushed off his shoulders, as she slid her hand behind his neck with a sudden force, almost reminicsent of two dancers in a tango. "It's my own."
He knew full well his own limitations. The human body was, after all, imperfect - but of course the boundaries of science were making such harder and harder to define. But Alexis knew he wasn't incapable of the challenge she issued underneath that coy whisper. That defiance had to be tempered, moulded into something more usable. No, she would have no room for this pathetic attempt at inflating her free will.
The trick with women, of course, was to make it seem as though the power lie with them. But it was always the other way around, no matter the illusions.
The gentle thud of wool upon the carpeted floor hardly registered, but he could feel the light, warm weight upon his shoulders gone and that hand on his neck, as though trying to compensate for the decline in temperature. "Perhaps as it should be, then, Empress." The more the concept swam about in his mind, the more it fused into this girl's identity. It wasn't a complete fusion - not yet, but he had ways to see to that. "Your will, then," he mimicked with a silken voice. And he wondered about "her will", and if it truly existed.
The title, while ascertaining her of her position now with this man, still sent chills down her spine. It was like selling her soul to the devil, for the devil saw nothing but the answers he wanted to see. And she knew there were things this man could think for her that would be out of her control now that she had willingly submitted to him.
But she couldn't let it get out of control. She still had to obey him, still had to follow the commands he set out, and it troubled her to think so. She had to steel herself, and she slowly slipped her hand free from holding his neck, still locking their gazes, before she turned away, as though she was going to leave. Any more time in his presence, and he would try to ascertain control over her in a way she knew she'd willingly not refuse. And then, she turned around, her back to him, unafraid whether he would stab her or leave her there.
"My will..." she repeated softly. "... I wonder." Peering slightly over her shoulder, but not looking at him, she asked, "... if we can agree on what we want." It was an invitation for him to take his step forward. She didn't want to rebuke him, not when being here was saving her lover's life. Closing her eyes, she steeled herself and brought a hand over her chest. "What do you desire of me, Cardmaster?"
Had he the full stacked deck of poisons at his side, Alexis would have been tempted to a small dosage, perhaps to weaken the senses - and one prick of a coated clothing needle would have done the trick, really. But, in lieu of the family tradition, there were other ways to accomplish the same task. After all, she had already been sufficiently weakened, and certain skills were at his disposal, coupled with certain knowledge that only came from exposure to this girl. Weaknesses, weaknesses.
"Almost impertinent of you to question," he replied, leaving a moment's worth of silence between them both. He'd not have backed away, and hardly was this the case to bring forth a pistol to do the job. That space he had left between them was intentional - perhaps to lead her on and allow her the thought that she would not be shown her place. But all illusions to that effect were shattered when he let one hand move gently over the curve of an exposed shoulder. "As such, the penalty is for you to guess." And then his other arm coiled about her waist so suddenly, jerking her back in a swift motion. He'd not let her escape, and the tight hold that arm had definitely conveyed his intent.
With her hair tied up the way it was, there was no room for her to exercise her magic into shielding her, and she had hoped that her distance would discourage him from pursuing anything else. She knew the webs of charm he weaved around his prey, that was what had ensnared her in the first place and it made her conscience burn with guilt at how willingly she enjoyed it. Perhaps in this, her otherworldly side was subdued by the passion found in a human body.
The touch on her shoulder made her tense, giving her goosebumps, but it wasn't until he pulled her back with a tug, her back against his form and the feeling of his chest against her back, that she let out a soft gasp of surprise, bringing a hand over his arm around her waist, but her hand trembling in response.
"Don't..." The blush was appearing on her face, contradicting her words. But she didn't let her sentence complete, instead, moving her freed hand up to his to push his arm away. "This isn't necessary."
Unnecessary... no, she had no idea of the necessity of it. His arm tensed further, keeping her from struggling further. Alexis had foregone the more delicate signals for this girl - it sometimes took a stronger cue to drive the point home, and it seemed to be required of this situation. He was far from a stranger at this act. "That isn't for you to decide," he responded matter-of-factly. Any denial of this, he knew, was insubordination. Insubordinates had the nasty effect of getting in the way, yet they could be extinguished.
It was almost a game to see just how rosy those cheeks could get in his presence. A tempting thought, really; he didn't resist such temptation when that hand at her shoulder coursed down over that thinly veiled arm. He certainly gave way to it by placing a few delicate kisses along that exposed neck - one so slender that it surely gave way to the Oriental blood within her. She really had little knowledge of what was within the bounds of necessity. The thought prompted a small, yet fierce, bite just below her earlobe. But he knew well enough she was no fool; she'd certainly understand the message conveyed.
The initiated intimacy made her arch back against his form, her blue eyes widening in shock at both words and actions. He was meaning to... and now, she was in no position to fight him, who knew what the consequences would be? But even then, she wasn't going to give him the pleasure of being so submissive so as to take this lying down. Even though his actions did more than just invoke the memory of his past unsuccessful attempts, the attraction worked against her.
The bite caused her to cry out, softly, stifled despite the thrilling pleasure it sent down her form, and the heat of his body behind her added to what she was continuously trying to ignore. She could feel her eyes beginning to well up in frustration, and she jerked her face to the side, exposing more of her neck to him, but she didn't make any movements to pull away physically. "You've made your point, what does this have to do with anything?"
He had toyed mildly with the thought of confusing her with emotional words - it would have proven a fine distraction, and it certainly had worked to some degree with Augusta. To a certain degree, considering the manner in which that scenario had played out. The circumstances were different, almost vastly so. Yet the temptation to see the reaction it would merit on Megumi was a very amusing thought. Perhaps later... stronger words to be reserved for other times.
"Not your place to know, is it?" Assertion of authority was the goal. In that neat little sentence did he summarise it well, as did his touch, moving down from that arm to grasp at her tender thigh. Another thought amused him so, he could not hold back an almost wry chuckle. "You've much to understand," he muttered, nearly to himself, while letting his chin rest upon the curve of her neck. Oh, so much to understand.
A soft sound of protest escaped her as her eyes widened at his touch and his words-- he really was attempting to dominate her and she hardly had the will to resist. As he brought his face close, she felt her body tense, a hand going behind her, circling to his side and trying to balance herself, eyes closing as her free hand moved out to her side, unwittingly pressing her back against his body, fitting herself completely against him. She couldn't feel him aroused, so he was probably still just mocking her, but what he was doing to her was more than obvious.
Her eyes half-opening as she touched the side of her face to his head resting on her shoulder, her chest rising and falling with each tight breath, she bit down on her lower lip. "There's nothing that cannot be explained without coming down to this..." her words trailed off, the blush on her cheek becoming stronger. Realizing the dangerous vulnerability she was displaying, she gasped, quickly beginning to pull away, this time with more force, bringing a hand to push his off her waist. "Let go."
Quite the vulnerability - he could see the deepening crimson on her cheek, hear the shallowness of her breath, the subtle rise and fall of her chest. How strange that such a simple primordial act could reduce her to this. True, he had known this facet of her all along, but the verification of it merely heightened the importance. His arm tightened, remaining stiff and unyielding. Megumi had intended to cooperate with his orders - she did not say whether they were of the verbal or physical nature, however.
"As I said...." That moment he relinquished hold of her, only to turn her about once more and push her back to the wall. Alexis wanted her to look him in the eye; he was allowing her a generous manoeuvre, the chance to act upon the situation as a perfect servant to his will. "You've so much to understand." He was not necessarily physically enticed yet, even though it was beginning to show faintly, but the intensity of the kiss he then initiated seemed engineered to keep her where she was, out of pure desire.
She let out a gasp of shock, momentarily fearful at what he was going to do, before the kiss came. Her mouth that had parted in a gasp easily accepted the given action, her hands flying up to his shirt, fingers curling around the front even as her heart thundered in her chest. Closing her eyes as she tried to pull her head back, stopped only by the wall and crushed between it and his body, she found herself breathless, and breathing in through her nose, she found herself returning the kiss fully, trying not to feel as wretched and dirty as she was now.
When the kiss ended, she re-opened her eyes, glancing up at the man's feral green eyes, breathing softly as she turned her face away again, attempting to push him off her. She could see herself faltering to him, and her resistance was becoming weaker. She couldn't, couldn't give this man the pleasure of seeing that.
The sheer persistence she displayed was almost to the point of irritation. Luckily, though, Alexis had no intent to use any other physical violence upon her, besides, perhaps, the slight extension of it he was displaying then. But even through such persistence, he could see that her defences were weakening. Attempt all she could, there still was no way he would relent. Not when he was this close to accomplishing the immediate goal.
His stare looked almost poisonous - in a sense, it seemed more of a sweeter sort, albeit still the catalyst to fatality. A hypnotic dark green... yes, he had heard that the colouring was similar to one of those little vials of poisons. Briefly, he shot a glare to Megumi, but it softened as a chuckle left and a smile curved. The audacity... it was almost ridiculous. Intensity had not left any of his actions; in fact, when he moved in for yet another overwhelming kiss, it seemed that the sheer force of it had increased. He was highly intent on seeing Megumi's submission... after all, it was a sort of initiation.
She wasn't a witch for nothing-- resistance had been what she'd taught herself in order to escape the sceptics and haters who had condemned her heritage. But almost terrified when he looked at her the way he did, she found her body falling slack in response to the forcefully given kiss, and she released a soft sound of protest, trying to firmly shut her mouth, but instead, the heat of their bodies as close as they were made her numb to any approaching resistance.
Now, her hands that had been struggling to push the older man away seemed to be drawing him close, her entire body shivering from their intimacy and how much it was arousing her. When the kiss ended, she released a soft sob, breathing softly as she lowered her gaze, cheek against Alexis' jaw.
"What do you want from me now...?" she asked in a breathless whisper. It wasn't an open question. She just wanted him to state his current intentions for her clearly.
More questions. Alexis had never appreciated such questions like these; his agenda was purely his own, and little explanation was needed in most cases. In such a case, there was no need whatsoever. "Is that something you need to know?" he asked lazily, a bland look on his face while she rested her cheek upon his jaw. Only mildly irritating - were there no means to keeping the jaw of a woman shut? But he already knew the answer to that.
Suddenly, he jerked her chin back up and launched into one more rather heated kiss. A mere distraction - during which he took her into an escorting hold and led her to the nearby sofa. This primordial act, base in its underlying nature, would certainly keep any and all questions at bay for the time being. The kiss was broken, almost as though lifting a spell from Megumi; yet still he kept her too close for comfort while one hand moved sensually, possessively, down the curve of her back. Strange, though, how his collected, almost stonily so, expression didn't seem to counteract with anything else.
It was overwhelming, and while she was moved, she could feel herself growing sick with impatience-- it was clear what he wanted, and the fact that this was being done against everything she stood for-- no intimacy without love, no submission without consent... and yet, she realized she was victimizing herself needlessly. She knew, understood that there was an attraction to the older man and that he, regardless of his attempts at domination, wouldn't be doing this were he not interested in the slightest.
Her hand sliding around the back of his neck, into his hair, she found her breathing shaky as she broke the kiss, and no sooner had she recovered from that that the touch on her back made her inhale sharply, the visible signs of her having liked that showing on her, her cheeks red and the way she turned her face away, almost as though she was guilty for feeling that pleasure. Looking back at him, blue eyes meeting green again, she moved a hand over his shoulder, and then grabbing him by the front of his shirt, pulled him in for a deep, heated, knee-weakening kiss.
If this was going to happen, then she wasn't going to allow herself to be taken nonconsensually.
All defences had been shattered right then. It wasn't an assumption - no, Alexis had the knack at hearing that delicate shatter of a weakness penetrating through the armour. It was too obvious in the hold her hand had upon his shirt, the fire with which she played as she reciprocated his actions, the sharp inhalations and low moans he could hear from his sparring partner. Indeed, it was a spar, a fight for true dominion within their intriguing interpersonal bond. Even though she was still fighting back, somehow, he had the feeling he would win. He did, after all, hold an ace up his sleeve.
He had let it seem as though she had a small victory for a moment, but only until he took initiative to gently usher her to at least sit upon the dark upholstery of the sofa. There was a mild attraction to her frame... then again, it was only too easy to think such when she bore a faint resemblance to another conquest of his. Nonetheless, it started to show, and only then did he choose to break free, this time, of her strange spell - that kiss.
The focus soon lent itself to that neck, that gracefully curved neck. Her skin was quite warm there, even warmer once his lips traced over it in a slow path downward. And even though he saw that pendant, he did not pause - he had no reason to. After all, the very pawn, unknowing of his true title, served the purpose intended well. That pendant was, perhaps, partially the reason a new facet of power had been added to his arsenal. Thus, without even so much as a glance or sneer, Alexis only let his fingertips trace about the pendant, the cord, and the flesh that resided underneath it.
Brought down into a seated position, her head tilted to a side, eyes partly opened at the feeling of his mouth against her neck. Her own hand at his chest, swiftly undoing the front buttons, even as her entire body warmed and succumbed to his attention. He was no Axl, would never be him, and his intentions would never match her lover's. Her hand behind his neck came into his hair and she released a soft moan, moving her face close until she could trace her lips under his ear, and once the buttons were undone, her hand rest upon his chest.
She had to hold back her tears, and the shivering sob that breathed past her lips was stifled to the best of her abilities, merging with the gasp of pleasure at the way he was touching her.
"Ah..." She knew she shouldn't resist. The more she resisted, the longer it would seem...
'... This isn't how it was supposed to be. This isn't... damn him. Damn him and everything he stands for... Axl.. Cain... Please forgive me. How will I ever face you now?'