I just wanted the insurance. [He accepted her movement, her hands and his.] I wanted the influence. This might -- this could be where I must excel, in this world. While apparently Hannibal doesn't kill me...
[He looked at her, his mouth a soft frown.]
No one has been able, or willing, to tell me the outcome. What's worse than death, Raina? Or do even they not know?
[ Her brows stitched, lips parted in open mouthed surprise. And then she looked down at his hands in her own. ]
Being indebted. Owing someone something. Losing your defiance. Being forced to move when called.
[ Her thumbs traveled over his knuckles, soft and delicately. ]
I would say those things are worse than death. No matter what you face back home, no matter what comes of you -- I have no doubt in your ability to claw your way out of it and come out on top. You are nothing if not strong and unbreakable. You held your own internal organs in your hand, and you survived. No one who goes up against you will win. And you don't need anyone else to do that -- not even me. Because that is your nature. That is your strength. That is why I chose you because I saw this in you from our very first meeting, your ruthless, cunning strength.
Have you made many deals with your own devils? [It was a pointed questioned asked without judgment; he was curious. He was vulnerable.] I hadn't, outside of the devil, and that alone hadn't rescued me from dire consequence. Abel Gideon tortured me in Baltimore, as well as here. Crane attacked me in my own secondary office. I've been subjected to... Surveillance that served only to flatter a compulsive controller. I've been tormented and threatened countless times.
[He brought her hands close to his chest, pressing them against his heart.]
Insurance. A Plan B. An ace up my sleeve -- it's not an invitation to get complacent. This removes some inhibition. We can do so much more.
[ Raina shook her head in response to his question. ]
I was the devil. People made deals with me. I've only ever used and manipulated my way to get the things I wanted, Frederick. And maybe that's where all of my reservations are coming from -- because I know how cruel it is to be the one who holds the debt over someone else's head. And the larger the debt, the more costly the price....
[ Her hands opened so they could press flush against his chest and feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. ]
I don't think this is going to be without a large consequence. I feel as though in the end, you might wish for all those aforementioned tortures compared to where you'll be. But if this is the path you're dead set on taking, the backup plan you're banking on, then there's nothing I can do to persuade you off the path. You've made that very clear.
[ Raina closed her eyes, fighting back some of her emotions -- her concern. Caring about someone other than herself was so foreign, and caring about someone else more than herself? That was something she thought she would never feel. And it became clear to her...where they were headed. She smiled -- sad and mournful. ]
But just know, Frederick, I will die to free you if that's what it takes. My grandmother always said someday I would be an angel. I just didn't realize that "someday" involved facing actual demons.
You look so angelic. You are an angel, Raina, the brightest of all. [He said this gently, sincerely. He gave those captive hands a kindly squeeze, as if to remind her of his own humanity.] But I suppose it's all the more poignant that you would be your own devil, too. I never had that privilege.
[There was no need to explain Hannibal, thankfully, no need to verbally dissect what made him so satanic. But to iterate how he was robbed of that opportunity once suggested a pattern; Chilton, for all his manipulation and pragmatism, for all his selfishness and opportunistic cruelty, he was not the ultimate deal breaker in his Baltimore. He was not the man behind the chessboard. He thought he saw, perhaps, a way out of that -- but it involved the guise of playing along.]
You won't be dying for me. [He whispered this, the impact of her words squeezing his throat.] It won't come to that.
I don't think you understand... [ Raina slowly rose to her feet so she could come close to him, so she could reach out and rest her hand at the side of his cheek and warmly look into his eyes. ] ...my devotion to you. I am the most important person to me -- so for you to be more important than that -- can you understand my insecurities and fear of losing you?
[ She leaned in and brushed her lips against his softly and when she spoke again, her words were subdued but loving. ]
I'm still so mad at you for doing this. You called it me trying to control you, but it's me believing in your powers and abilities without having to resort to the demons and contracts and things that would leave you indebted. I believe you are the grand master puppeteer, controlling and manipulating things so effortlessly. I believe, in this world, you are a devil -- a powerful and alluring beast who only has to speak to have these people from different universes well under his sway. I hate Matthew Lin from the moment you two touched lips. I hate Lucifer from the moment he dangled that temptation of power in front of you. I could offer you anything, Frederick. Everything...and I would ask for nothing in return. My soldiers, my spies, my faithfully devoted contacts, my mind...my powers. I never did tell you about my third and final power because I never wanted you to think I've used it on you.
The reason why I don't fear Matthew Lin -- while he might be powerful and dangerous -- is because he is easily controlled by and weakened to lust. And I am the living embodiment of lust. My power will make any man or woman fall to their knees in desire for me, to go insane with a need entwine intimately. I can make them want, need until it consumes all of their thoughts. [ Raina decided to demonstrate a little bit, releasing a tiny fraction of the sweet pheromone and immediately letting him know she was doing it. ] Do you feel it? And that's only a taste.
[Chilton felt something squirm in his stomach, and slither up to his chest; it was a craving, a want, a need. It was a twist in his organs that could only be sated by one touch, one glance, one woman. He exhaled, groaning when she pulled away to speak. Without missing a beat, he tried again to meet her lips with his own.]
Raina.
[An amplified whisper -- or so that's what it felt like, when his limbs went electric. Just by speaking her name.]
[ Raina smiled, shaking her head while pressing her index finger to his mouth. The pheromone stopped its release, and only then did she lean in to meet his lips, lingering in the kiss before drawing back -- her cheek to Chilton's and her lips near his ear. ]
And with that, you know everything about me, Frederick. Everything I'm capable of. No more secrets. I am open and exposed.
[ Her chest heaved, her body arched -- and then, with a single sweep of her arm, she knocked everything on her desk to the floor, clearing a space so she could drag Chilton atop her and kiss him aggressively. ]
[A flush colored his face -- once the pheromone had ceased, he could examine his behavior once more. The self-awareness that followed was enough to have pinked his cheeks.
He nodded, accepting this gift, about to ask if they were sharing secrets, then did he need to supply one? A question that got only past his lips as the first syllable, once Raina took the reins and cleansed her desk of whatever important reports and data had once rested on top it. Chilton followed her lead, eagerly, his tongue already finding the corners of her sensual mouth, his body straddling hers, the expensive material of his slacks pulling against tensed muscles
Slacks that would not remain against tensed muscles for much longer.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[He looked at her, his mouth a soft frown.]
No one has been able, or willing, to tell me the outcome. What's worse than death, Raina? Or do even they not know?
no subject
Being indebted. Owing someone something. Losing your defiance. Being forced to move when called.
[ Her thumbs traveled over his knuckles, soft and delicately. ]
I would say those things are worse than death. No matter what you face back home, no matter what comes of you -- I have no doubt in your ability to claw your way out of it and come out on top. You are nothing if not strong and unbreakable. You held your own internal organs in your hand, and you survived. No one who goes up against you will win. And you don't need anyone else to do that -- not even me. Because that is your nature. That is your strength. That is why I chose you because I saw this in you from our very first meeting, your ruthless, cunning strength.
no subject
[He brought her hands close to his chest, pressing them against his heart.]
Insurance. A Plan B. An ace up my sleeve -- it's not an invitation to get complacent. This removes some inhibition. We can do so much more.
no subject
I was the devil. People made deals with me. I've only ever used and manipulated my way to get the things I wanted, Frederick. And maybe that's where all of my reservations are coming from -- because I know how cruel it is to be the one who holds the debt over someone else's head. And the larger the debt, the more costly the price....
[ Her hands opened so they could press flush against his chest and feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. ]
I don't think this is going to be without a large consequence. I feel as though in the end, you might wish for all those aforementioned tortures compared to where you'll be. But if this is the path you're dead set on taking, the backup plan you're banking on, then there's nothing I can do to persuade you off the path. You've made that very clear.
[ Raina closed her eyes, fighting back some of her emotions -- her concern. Caring about someone other than herself was so foreign, and caring about someone else more than herself? That was something she thought she would never feel. And it became clear to her...where they were headed. She smiled -- sad and mournful. ]
But just know, Frederick, I will die to free you if that's what it takes. My grandmother always said someday I would be an angel. I just didn't realize that "someday" involved facing actual demons.
no subject
[There was no need to explain Hannibal, thankfully, no need to verbally dissect what made him so satanic. But to iterate how he was robbed of that opportunity once suggested a pattern; Chilton, for all his manipulation and pragmatism, for all his selfishness and opportunistic cruelty, he was not the ultimate deal breaker in his Baltimore. He was not the man behind the chessboard. He thought he saw, perhaps, a way out of that -- but it involved the guise of playing along.]
You won't be dying for me. [He whispered this, the impact of her words squeezing his throat.] It won't come to that.
no subject
[ She leaned in and brushed her lips against his softly and when she spoke again, her words were subdued but loving. ]
I'm still so mad at you for doing this. You called it me trying to control you, but it's me believing in your powers and abilities without having to resort to the demons and contracts and things that would leave you indebted. I believe you are the grand master puppeteer, controlling and manipulating things so effortlessly. I believe, in this world, you are a devil -- a powerful and alluring beast who only has to speak to have these people from different universes well under his sway. I hate Matthew Lin from the moment you two touched lips. I hate Lucifer from the moment he dangled that temptation of power in front of you. I could offer you anything, Frederick. Everything...and I would ask for nothing in return. My soldiers, my spies, my faithfully devoted contacts, my mind...my powers. I never did tell you about my third and final power because I never wanted you to think I've used it on you.
The reason why I don't fear Matthew Lin -- while he might be powerful and dangerous -- is because he is easily controlled by and weakened to lust. And I am the living embodiment of lust. My power will make any man or woman fall to their knees in desire for me, to go insane with a need entwine intimately. I can make them want, need until it consumes all of their thoughts. [ Raina decided to demonstrate a little bit, releasing a tiny fraction of the sweet pheromone and immediately letting him know she was doing it. ] Do you feel it? And that's only a taste.
no subject
Raina.
[An amplified whisper -- or so that's what it felt like, when his limbs went electric. Just by speaking her name.]
I'm sorry. Just -- kiss me again, won't you?
no subject
And with that, you know everything about me, Frederick. Everything I'm capable of. No more secrets. I am open and exposed.
[ Her chest heaved, her body arched -- and then, with a single sweep of her arm, she knocked everything on her desk to the floor, clearing a space so she could drag Chilton atop her and kiss him aggressively. ]
no subject
He nodded, accepting this gift, about to ask if they were sharing secrets, then did he need to supply one? A question that got only past his lips as the first syllable, once Raina took the reins and cleansed her desk of whatever important reports and data had once rested on top it. Chilton followed her lead, eagerly, his tongue already finding the corners of her sensual mouth, his body straddling hers, the expensive material of his slacks pulling against tensed muscles
Slacks that would not remain against tensed muscles for much longer.]