*Mariam looks at him, the way his gaze moves over everyone else in the dark.* “You’re jealous.”
“I think you just did..” *They’re clearly the entertainment for the party. In particular, Mariam’s eyes flick across the room. She catches two of the BladeBreakers staring; Kon and Max. She can guess why Max looks like a kicked puppy but Rei, that’s new. Who would’ve guessed he had a thing for men of Ozuma’s appearance…? She smirks against her captain’s cheek, voice as soft as his. They’re being watched of course, gotta be quiet.* “I didn’t know Kon was into you. He looks like he’d rip me apart if he could.”
*Mariam looks over her shoulder at her intended and tries not to scoff.* “Not until the wedding. Anything can happen in a month.” *Or so she chooses to believe. Feeling bought and sold she supposes she’s being rougher on Robert than she needs to be, but he doesn’t understand. He was born with a silver spoon - her family built their empire and she had to help. Only, she didn’t think being sold to another family would be the last sacrifice she’d make for the good of her own. But that’s the game of life: men and women serve different roles.. It’s just hard to get used to.*
“Not huge. Not like…” *She cuts herself off; great way to start off by dissing his family and childhood home. Her eyes wander across the tall wooded ceiling, around to the ornate walls and then back to Robert.* “Not as big as this, average I guess; by the water. I grew up in a seaside home.. It’d be nice to spend forever in one.” *She doubts that’s a possibility for Robert. His family are here; his work and his horses are here. But he asked; she won’t lie to him.*
*Mariam looks over her shoulder at her intended and tries not to scoff.* “Not until the wedding. Anything can happen in a month.” *Or so she chooses to believe. Feeling bought and sold she supposes she’s being rougher on Robert than she needs to be, but he doesn’t understand. He was born with a silver spoon - her family built their empire and she had to help. Only, she didn’t think being sold to another family would be the last sacrifice she’d make for the good of her own. But that’s the game of life: men and women serve different roles.. It’s just hard to get used to.*
“Challenge accepted.” *Mariam looks down at her toes for a minute, painted some elegant red with no chips and encased in a pair of beautiful heels. More than she ever thought for herself, really… Shame they’re a bit uncomfortable. Soon she’s gonna take them off; see what her hubby-to-be makes of that.* “Money talks.” *Her family’s dealt with some of the same things, but the Saint Shields have a scary reputation whereas Robert doesn’t; helps keep the true idiots at bay.* “So you spent a ton of time reading, you enjoy a good drink and you have horses. So far I’m not disinterested.” *She leans back in her chair, swirling the ice cubes in her glass.* “I guess it took you awhile to make real friends…?”
Robert has a content smile on his lips as he starts to sip at his drink. ”I have a handful of people I trust, with years of sociolizing in the past… however, I do Have issues when it comes to trusting people and let them in. Books were and still is an escape route for me.”
*It’s more quiet in here, more private. Lets Mariam soak up more of Robert’s voice and his appearance, the heavy accent tied to his words. She supposes, to his ears it must sound like she has a foreign accent too.* “I take it this relationship’s gonna be pretty private…. Can’t say I hate the thought of that.” *But there’s a difference between private and cold. Hopefully, she and Robert are going to warm up to each other in time. She’ll warm her own cold feet, so to say.*
Robert grows silent. Relaxed, but silent. After a long moment Robert speaks up. ”When you think of marriage, what kind of marriage do you think of?” He asks. ”What kind of man do you prefer? I wish to see where this goes, but I cannot change who I am. I treasure privacy and wish to have my wife safe and happy, being able to choose for herself her job or hobbies. I do not want outsiders to hurt her. Or the castle to be a cage to her.”
*Mariam hums, holding her glass in both hands. She watches the ice cubes getting smaller.* “..Is it weird that I haven’t thought of it?” *She looks up at Robert, studying his face.* “I pictured my future: what kind of house, what sort of town, how many kids…. But the man was always faceless. I guess, that means you’re starting with a clean slate.” *She was never normal. Never ordinary. Mariam didn’t chase boys around the school yard; instead she learned the family business and how to throw a decent punch.* “I guess… A kind man, that’d be a good start.”
*Mariam looks at him, the way his gaze moves over everyone else in the dark.* “You’re jealous.”
*Her fall closed as Ozuma’s mouth comes to her own. Softer than usual; most of the time they’re downright greedy with each others’ lips. But not tonight even despite the teasing. Almost like Ozuma wants them to be seen as much as she does. Mari moves her lips over his own, arm wrapping around his neck with fingers knotting in his shirt. Mine. Hers. She wonders if it’s as warning-like as it could be to all the watching eyes. Fuck the other girls, the guys who stare too long at him too. They can’t please Ozuma like she can. And no one’s ever made her as happy as he has either so she’s not willing to give this up.* “They’d have to be fools to touch you now.”
Ozuma enjoys having her close to him like this. They have been sneaking about, held each other behind others’ backs but now he can touch her infront of everyone. Ozuma grins as their first slow kiss ends and Mariam speaks. ”I’ve got your lipstick on me, and I want more marks…” He says, taking in how her lips is slightly smudged. Ozuma likes how Mariam’s body fits his so well. Slightly shorter when in heals, making him happy he had that height spurt in his late teens. And tonight she looks stunning. Ozuma’s eyes moves over her face as if he wishes to remember how she looked the first night as ’really’ his before he leans in and kisses her harder.
“Shit…” *She thumbs at her lips, damp from his kiss and from the smeared lipstick.* “There’s only so much you can smudge this in public you know..” *Regardless, Mariam does nothing to stop that second kiss. The room has gone a little more quiet; no doubt more eyes are on them. Wondering how many drinks they’ve had, how long they’ve been together. Jealous eyes on her, envious she gets the mysterious tattooed strange. Ozuma has been the object of her affections for well over a year now… Honestly, most of her life he’s been a constant thought in the back of her mind. Now’s the time; just gonna have to suck it the hell up and tell her brother and Dunga how long this has been going on.*
*Mariam’s sleep-deprived eyes shoot upward as Garland speaks to her. She hadn’t even heard him come down the stairs.. So he’s who did this to her. She’d been in town on her own on a solo mission, following up on a lead about a bitbeast thief. Mariam’s been here now a couple weeks and, and it was all going so well…. she went to the bar one night to celebrate. And when she woke up she was here. Chained to the wall in some freak’s basement. Screamed so much her throat aches.. So tired and hungry she can barely think. But no one came. No one until now.* “Why the fuck am I here…?!” *She spits the words at him, crouched on the mattress on the floor.* (changed my mind lets start these now :p Watched Berlin Syndrome tonight and I’m totally inspired!!)
“Why?” *Mariam’s voice doesn’t waver, not really. But it isn’t far off. She doesn’t know why she feels like she has to hear Garland repeat his threats. He’s kept her this long…. Longer than most psychopaths keep their pets. He wouldn’t really wanna risk her life over a kid he doesn’t want… Does he?* “So you can kill not two people but three….?” *She turns her attention back to her food numbly, the hope about writing a letter already forgotten. He can’t let her be hopeful… Not even for more than a minute.*
Garland lets out a long, annoyed sigh. For a moment he really does consider just smacking the dumb bitch across the face. That’ll shut her up with all the stupid questions. “Shall we find out? I don’t have to go out and buy the pill for you.” He stares at her hard. “Can leave you down there wondering when your next period will come. If it comes at all.” He’s half tempted to try that. Let her panic down there. Not like he can’t just get rid of her body easy. Get a new bitch. A fresh one. One not as fucking stupid as her.
*Mariam feels like punching out at that hard fucking look but instead she forces herself to cower. Pushes her bowl away from her if not a little petulantly, appetite gone. ‘Look scared…. Look worried.’ She takes a deep breath and keeps quiet. Doesn’t say a word. She’s pushing him a little too far this morning… and he agreed to let her write a letter. So one step at a time.*
*Mariam looks over her shoulder at her intended and tries not to scoff.* “Not until the wedding. Anything can happen in a month.” *Or so she chooses to believe. Feeling bought and sold she supposes she’s being rougher on Robert than she needs to be, but he doesn’t understand. He was born with a silver spoon - her family built their empire and she had to help. Only, she didn’t think being sold to another family would be the last sacrifice she’d make for the good of her own. But that’s the game of life: men and women serve different roles.. It’s just hard to get used to.*
“Challenge accepted.” *Mariam looks down at her toes for a minute, painted some elegant red with no chips and encased in a pair of beautiful heels. More than she ever thought for herself, really… Shame they’re a bit uncomfortable. Soon she’s gonna take them off; see what her hubby-to-be makes of that.* “Money talks.” *Her family’s dealt with some of the same things, but the Saint Shields have a scary reputation whereas Robert doesn’t; helps keep the true idiots at bay.* “So you spent a ton of time reading, you enjoy a good drink and you have horses. So far I’m not disinterested.” *She leans back in her chair, swirling the ice cubes in her glass.* “I guess it took you awhile to make real friends…?”
Robert has a content smile on his lips as he starts to sip at his drink. ”I have a handful of people I trust, with years of sociolizing in the past… however, I do Have issues when it comes to trusting people and let them in. Books were and still is an escape route for me.”
*It’s more quiet in here, more private. Lets Mariam soak up more of Robert’s voice and his appearance, the heavy accent tied to his words. She supposes, to his ears it must sound like she has a foreign accent too.* “I take it this relationship’s gonna be pretty private…. Can’t say I hate the thought of that.” *But there’s a difference between private and cold. Hopefully, she and Robert are going to warm up to each other in time. She’ll warm her own cold feet, so to say.*
*Mariam looks at him, the way his gaze moves over everyone else in the dark.* “You’re jealous.”
*Her fall closed as Ozuma’s mouth comes to her own. Softer than usual; most of the time they’re downright greedy with each others’ lips. But not tonight even despite the teasing. Almost like Ozuma wants them to be seen as much as she does. Mari moves her lips over his own, arm wrapping around his neck with fingers knotting in his shirt. Mine. Hers. She wonders if it’s as warning-like as it could be to all the watching eyes. Fuck the other girls, the guys who stare too long at him too. They can’t please Ozuma like she can. And no one’s ever made her as happy as he has either so she’s not willing to give this up.* “They’d have to be fools to touch you now.”
Boris snorts in amusement. “That’s the point.” The hold on the woman’s hair gets tighter, pulling her head back to expose more of her pale neck. Just perfect to bite… But first, he wants to see her squirm. Listen to her heart race and voice whimper more.
“Yes.” *She smirks, but it falls from her face. Head tilting, as Boris says the rest to her. Clearly those words struck a nerve, but Mariam’s still finding it a bit hard to be totally intimidated or totally interested. Instead, Boris’ thinly-veiled threat makes her shiver. And she has to ask more questions.* “So you can turn people too?” *Mariam has the idle thought that she’s going to drive Boris crazy; some moments he has to pick up on the fact that he unnerves her. But the rest of the time, she’s too curious about him not to take the risk.*
Boris shrugs. “No idea. Never tried.” He can barely remember what happened to him. He was drugged, he remembers that. The vampire with his terrifying teeth. Cold eyes. Boris shit his own at that moment, tried to scramble away but the cell was small and the vampire pinned him to the cold stone wall. Words were spoken but he doesn’t remember them. Just the biting of his neck then blood in his mouth. Luke warm blood that he almost vomited up if he had the energy. Then hours later he woke up with Balkov grinning down at him. “Don’t really want to try.”
*Mari’s got no idea what to say to that so she just nods her head. Boris said he was different from the other vampires so maybe he can’t? After all he can survive on human food too. Most vampires Mariam ever read or watched movies about needed blood only.* “Well it can’t be as simple as a bite… Otherwise I’d be turning. There’d be a lot more vampires.” *The logic and physiology behind it she’s sure is fascinating but hopefully there’ll be time to ask more questions later. It’s super late; Ozuma’s expecting her bright and early tomorrow.* “You can stay if you want… I don’t have a roommate.” *Mari gestures to the other bed. Despite their jokes, she wouldn’t mind having Boris in her room…. Just not on the same mattress. For now.*
*Mariam fights to keep the tears in. It had hurt so bad and it still stings, burns like fire on her shoulder. Hunched over, naked with dirty knees she wraps her arms around herself. She doesn’t want to look at the owner of the voice. First time she’s heard it but she can only imagine it won’t be the last. She was taken a long time ago.. Hard to know exactly how much time, but eventually she ended up here. A cold place. Herded into a room with something like 20 other women she was lined up and stared at by men. Soon someone in a suit dragged her out by the arm. Next thing she knew she was stripped, put on her knees and burnt. Chosen.*
*…Sleeping in? Oh god, what time is it?? Mariam is tempted to leap up at that, place herself on her knees on the floor and wait for his instructions. But instead Boris’ arm just seems to lock around her waist that tiniest bit tighter.* “I am so sorry Master, forgive me… Just.. So much new in a short amount of time…” *Boris doesn’t sound terribly angry; but then again that doesn’t mean shit. She could be just waiting for a punch in the head or to be shoved to the floor yet. Hopefully being new is a good enough excuse. Mariam swallows roughly; should she reach back and touch him….?*
“I know.” Boris grunts against her skin. Too much talking, stupid girl. All he wants is to work himself against her and cum. Let his dick bead at the tip as he thrusts over her warm, soft ass. The temptation to just have her rears its head but he ignores that. The first time needs to be something more than a morning fuck. “Move with me, girl.” His hands slip under her nightgown, fingers groping for her tits as he moves faster.
*Mariam lets out a shuddering breath, focus once again brought back to the hardness weeping against the curve of her ass. Will he take her like this..? First thing in the morning, no prep, no warning? Stiff as a board at first she’s silent as Boris ruts against her, wondering what she should do. Until he speaks - Mariam bites her bottom lip and presses back against him. Move…? How? She’s seen slaves dry hump before; anything to get some sexual satisfaction without soiling themselves or their purity. Thinking back to those moments without the masters Mariam rolls her hips, creating friction between Boris and herself. Pushing his cock ever nearer to where he no doubt wants it to be.* “Like this….?”
*Mariam looks at him, the way his gaze moves over everyone else in the dark.* “You’re jealous.”
“Max was a fling. It didn’t count.” *Not compared to Ozuma. While the idea of Max was fun at the time, the actuality of it could never be. Plus it’s someone else she finds herself thinking of at night… Someone often so close, but just a few feet out of reach.* “You know jealousy, is a sign of a serious crush.” *She looks at him a bit intensely. Doesn’t seem to be fond of the teasing tonight; usually Ozuma can give it as good as he takes until the two of them get gone with each other. Tonight it seems like he wants no fuss.* “I think we got it bad.”
Ozuma raises his eyebrow at her as she says that. He remembers how happy she seemed when she was with Max. Perhaps she tried to make him jealous. She succeeded. Green eyes widen slightly and stay open at Mariam’s following words. As if she read his mind, staring at him like that. Ozuma feels himself grow hot, and he swallows. He wants her. ”Tonight I’m done with the games, fuck…” the hand that mever left her grows firmer. ”This aint just a crush to me.” He won’t say it again. Too proud.
*Bold words… They make Mariam feel hot under the collar, like her dress just got too tight and too heavy. She turns to face Ozuma fully which leaves his hand sliding round to her hip.* “If you’re done with the games and this isn’t just some crush then kiss me.” *Where everyone can see. Boris, Max, Salima, Ming Ming… Anyone who wants to look really. Her brother and Dunga.* “That’ll make everybody look once, and just once. And then they won’t stare at you anymore.” *Much to Mariam’s delight.*