A Beautiful Bloody Vampire Masquerade 1x1 Mistress needed

She watched from the balcony like a goddess. A wrathful gargoyle, waiting for a slip to rain destruction upon the room. Given the right mood and the right hint of trigger, Shani could, in fact, do just that. She was considered old even by immortal standards, thanks to her ancient Egyptian origins. It meant that Guinevere- much younger, even with multiple centuries under her perky belt- was too eager to offer her what was considered to be a 'treat' in an attempt to ingratiate herself with the powerful vampire mistress who had deigned to visit her establishment that evening. Shani's sloping neck and shoulders- exposed by an artful updo- were lengthened with poise, an elegant and powerful stance that dared somebody to transgress in her presence.

And snatching up her little gift would definitely be considered a transgression. Everybody knew that the 'angel' belonged to her. She could hear it in the whispers through the room, could feel the way they forcefully resisted his magnetic allure. His skin begged to be touched, his eyes danced with mischief. But not one of them stepped out of line, like they could feel her there above them, the threat of execution in a sexy package. She, however, was not the only one in the room who oozed sex appeal.

She had watched him throughout the entire show. His body moved like quicksilver, practically writhing with an ecstasy he didn't feel. He taunted and tormented, he danced like a siren. He blatantly misbehaved, which left her equal parts amused and disappointed. Amused, because she could see the charm in his movements, despite the fact that they were obviously not ones he was supposed to be making. Amused, because she could see what a ploy Guin might try to make of him, to perhaps rid herself of this gorgeous nuisance to the more experienced care of another, though his naughtiness may be something to break the deal. But she was also disappointed, and that was the more worrisome for her host. The ice queen spoke directly to the man, the slave, the fae, which did nothing to curb his current attitude. Oh Guin, she thought, shaking her head with a small frown, you would attempt this with me?

Perhaps she had been hoping that his beauty would speak for itself and outweigh his other evident flaws. His eyes were exquisite, she had to admit. They... changed, altered, pulled. Shani was impressed. Fae were such unusual creatures. So many species and breeds, so many powers and adaptations. His wings were a marvel that her fingers were, in fact, tempted to touch. That was still not enough to deeply engage her. Until she heard Guinevere's threat. An eyebrow lofted behind her mask, somehow offended that the woman would dare.

Shani's slaves, servants and expanse of staff were trained to perfection. They obeyed rapidly and without question. That was the standard. Certainly, she had broken a great many, sometimes she even purchased people with that express and delightful purpose in mind. It was not, however, what she had been led to believe, and deception was something she could not abide. It was only compounded by the fact that he was late. The vampiress retrieved a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and continued to watch the playful faery move about in a line that was in her direction, escorted there by the hostess and a guard.

'Quite the escort for a slave, don't you think?' she asked quietly, her husky purr and sibilant accent reminiscent of cinnamon whiskey: burning, smooth and intoxicating. Guinevere ducked her head in deference, a panicky smile gracing her smooth features. Even the powerful could be made a bit skittish. To whom she was directing the question was unclear, but when the pale vampire, all frost and ice, began to speak, Shani cut her off with a look and a pointed statement. 'I was not speaking to you, Guinevere. Your turn will come.' Tipping her head in the angel's direction, she gestured, bidding him to answer her in whatever fashion he saw fit and re-equipping him with the glass of champagne. It was her party, she could ply if she wanted to. Upon hearing his response, she smiled before returning her attention to Guinevere. 'Guin, my pet, it is customary to introduce two people that you are acquainting with each other. Feel free to do that now.' And she did. Shani received his whole name and something very like a stage name: Angel. 'Darrik, hmm? Do you actually enjoy being called 'Angel,' sweet?' It seemed not, given his body language when he heard it. Shani watched, saw the tension between the hostess and the faery, and gently reclined against the balcony in response, looking very much like a predatory lion at rest. In a way, she was very much the large feline, and she was playing with her food.

His sass didn't go unnoticed. How could it? The balcony was only so large, and they were making a rather brilliant spectacle with the shining set of wings betwixt them. Shani's eyebrows raised, her head shook and she sighed quietly, unamused with the situation. Certainly, his personality was large, bright, potentially entertaining to an individual without her particular inclinations or expectations. She even saw a few vampires and a few slaves- though they were promptly reprimanded- giggle at his antics. Her stance maintained its neutrality, unresponsive to the blatant disrespect of her person. Clearly, he was unfamiliar with her or her standing in society, but she had a feeling that he wouldn't care, regardless. Until that moment when he was nudged in her direction and met her gaze. Her deep, liquid amber eyes were worthy of drowning in... or running from. It depended upon her mood, really. And at that particular moment, she was hungry and irritated.

Perhaps not with the fae. He hadn't been shown the error of his behaviors, clearly, or that speaking to your betters in such a fashion was unacceptable. Guinevere had clearly been slacking. Especially given that he had the audacity to speak to her in that tone. Shani's mouth curved into a wicked grin, fangs delicately digging into her full bottom lip before she replied. 'I suppose I can see the appeal. Swarms to ogle and admire you, free room and board, audiences with highly important clients. Small wonder you enjoy it so much.' There was a small amount of bite in her tone, the dig zipping quickly between them as her gaze left him, as if in dismissal, returning instead to the ivory vampire standing just behind him.

It was then that she learned his name. It triggered the urge to inquire about it. Evidently, it was nothing he was proud or fond of. Good to note, considering her rapidly firming opinion about just how the evening was going to go. In fact, the instant the words left Guin's lips, another nasty little bit of defiance slipped into his system, releasing his grip on the champagne glass to tumble to the crowd below. Shani inhaled through flared nostrils, her only visible sign of disappointment and potential outrage as he corrected his current mistress. This was not a display fit for somebody with her level of influence and power. Though her fuse was long, Shani had some of the most vicious tendencies when the moment took her. That moment was rapidly approaching; she could feel it under her skin, fizzing and crackling with desire to burn. This was not a woman to be trifled with, this was a feminine powerhouse, a cutthroat murderess and she was quickly losing her patience.

How dare Guinevere present her with this insolent creature? This one who- while beautiful- was, by no means, the gift he was portrayed as. Granted, the potential exchange had been going to involve money, which implied a certain amount of inspection would get completed before Darrik belonged to her, but this was intolerable. He addressed her again, the wicked glimmer returned to his features as he boasted about his unyielding status, as he presumed to give her advice and finally struck enough of a nerve that Guinevere attempted to apologize for him and attempted to... dispose of him, though not in any lasting fashion. The basement was hardly going to do him any good, and death would not make Guin any money. Even still, he continued his barrage of offense as he was dragged away. In the lazy, coiled fashion of cobras, the ancient vampiress reacted, though not to Darrick's barb. She chose to completely ignore the faery. He would not stir her, not yet.

Shani's eyes cut a quick line to the guard firmly gripping the faery and spoke with a soft, heated authority, one that made him question his orders. 'Should you remove that creature from my sight, Frederick, you will regret it. And should you bruise him, I will have your hand forcibly removed.' The guard stayed his position, still obviously torn, but unwilling- smart man- to risk her wrath. There was no telling just what Shani would do to him above and beyond the threat, but he valued his existence, and anybody in the room could sense her power as it hummed around her in quiet waves. It was then that she returned her words to the pale woman across from her, still clearly- to the trained eye- upset about Darrick. 'Guinevere, my darling,' she called, calmly capturing the steely gaze with her own, 'Was this, or was this not to be the 'rare and exquisite slave of exceptional taste and bearing' that you promised me?' Upon hearing assent, she nodded, licked her lips and swayed forward, snatching the woman's throat in a firm, suddenly-clawed grip. Frederick didn't even flinch toward helping his employer. 'You disappoint me. If you thought I would be compelled to purchase him on rarity alone, you were sorely mistaken. And to market him in such a way... Tsk.' Choking her a little harder, Shani continued, nonplussed by the female's light struggles against her palm, discussing arrangements as though she was discussing the weather. 'How much were you planning to sell him for?'

Her actions, though demure by her standards, certainly caused a stir amongst the guests in attendance. Shani's warm grasp around Guinevere's pale throat was intimidating, painful and a clear issue of reprimand. The vampiress was not pleased. It showed. The woman in her grip tried to make amends, then, asking for forgiveness and offering the young fae up as a gift instead of a product for purchase, lofting one of Shani's brows behind her mask with faint amusement. It colored her smile as she pulled her captive closer and stroked her face, requesting that she repeat her words with a bit less stutter. The hard push on her ivory throat lessened and she did. Guinevere offered him up as a gift, saying the words loudly enough that genuine fear combined with the utterly delectable scent Darrik exuded, moving him into a subservient pose as terror finally compelled him to behave in a more appropriate fashion.

It wasn't enough for poor, humiliated Guinevere, however, as she forced Darrik to repeat himself until the delivery was perfect, almost completely believable. And then completely spat upon when the frosty female made Shani a proposition for his procurement anyway. Shani logged the details away for later use, knowing that a real look into what scared the man would prove useful. He clearly did not actually want to be moved from this pampered existence, from this place where he could get away with everything and anything because he was gorgeous and likely highly requested. His supplication to Shani at Guinevere's request inspired her to lick her lips, but not acknowledge him beyond that. He did not yet belong to her, had not even been graced to her for the evening as originally intended, and she did not touch another's property without consent. It would be the same as kicking someone's pet. Respectful people just did not do such things. Generally...

Upon Guin's words, Shani released her, almost violently. 'Almost as good as you, my pet. He seems to learn just a bit faster, however, as he seems to realize when he has just gone too far,' she noted, absently- forebodingly, if one was paying enough attention- strolling forward to lower herself before Darrick, balancing on her heels and bending at the knees and hips to come close, but remain above him. She lifted her her mask slowly, revealing a countenance many had died just to glimpse. She grabbed his chin and lifted his flawless face so that she might look at him more closely. She noted several details in a swift look, making a variety of decisions in that moment and the next few. The largest was impacted a great deal by her next action. Her index finger slid a claw down his cheek, welling a single line of blood that she deigned to grace with her tongue, halting a moan that could have risen before it ever left her throat.

Fae blood was intoxicating. In some cases, it was considered a rare drug. To Shani, it really was a treat, like a decadent, rich dessert and aphrodisiac in one. She rose from the puddle of black material, leaving him to kneel as she returned to Guinevere. 'You will give him to me anyway.' The statement was made calmly, with a matter-of-fact tone and sharp diction that twisted the pale hostess' face into a morbid expression of shock. She sputtered, attempting to explain that that wasn't the deal. 'None of this has gone according to the original plan, Guinevere, and for allowing such a heinous evening to even begin, you will give me what I was promised, and you will give him to me for free. Permanently. Consider your life payment enough.' With that, she attacked with a lightning-like speed, fisting a hand in the front of the ivory vampire's dress and summarily tossing her over the side of the balcony, grinning as she turned back to Darrick. 'Now that, Darrick, was funny. Come.' The threat of repercussion, should he disobey, was evident without even being vocalized, but she still didn't look at him directly. He was not worthy of very much of her direct attention, not yet. But perhaps that could change.

She dropped the mask to the ground, hearing it lightly connect as the solid and delightful 'thump' and 'crack' of Guin hitting the marble flooring below echoed through the room. Waving a hand at Frederick, the shocked, bald vampire dashed down the steps to check on his employer, utterly concerned. The fall wouldn't kill her, but she would certainly learn quite the lesson about disappointing Shani. 'Darrick, you are never to refer to yourself as 'Angel' again, is that clear?' She relaxed into a waiting chair with a contented sigh and flicked her amber irises in his direction. 'Now, bring me another glass of the champagne you so rudely dropped earlier, spiked heavily with your blood, and I may consider allowing you a coat and a goodbye to some of your fellows when we leave this evening.'

He was petrified, almost. Considering he still retained the use of his limbs- for the most part- she'd say he wasn't completely and totally afraid of her. She could work with that. It would take a long while, of course, but she had nothing but time. And he clearly wasn't a big fan of the violence. At least, not the violence toward Guinevere. Perhaps it was just because he had once worked for the semi -powerful woman; she used the term 'worked' fairly loosely. The vampiress certainly noticed the mild flinch and the look on his face as the pale woman loudly hit the ground below. It tickled her. His obedience after her display was not unexpected. He followed her like the pet he now was, as he should.

Before, as her hand sharply handled his beautiful face, he had seemed near the edge of passing out. He hadn't even breathed while she'd touched him, though her attentions had been quite gentle. To his credit, he had stayed upright in his kneeling position until she released him. Then, he'd practically hit the ground in his own right, face-down on the hardwood floor. Too bad he would miss her fabulous display. He caught the end, though, the satisfying sound of her will being carried out. The echo of silence through the entire building and then the hushed awe and fear to move. She scented the fear, felt it like a palpable force. Slave, patron, musician... Everybody stopped when Guinevere fell, because everybody halted with a single word from the woman. To see her so radically outdone... It was shocking. Shani paid it no heed for a bit, choosing to address Darrick and clear up a little issue that had been bothering her. In names lay power, and in using his, his real name, they would establish some ground rules without his even realizing it. She was not fond of his affected persona, in any case. Nothing angelic had ever called to her, had ever meant anything real to her unless she had set her mind to corrupt or own or overpower it. That precedent didn't need to be set with him and perhaps he would be surprised, even a bit grateful for her requirements. Of course, it may also tell him that she noticed things or that she was indulgent. The first was true, the second... varied.

He lifted his eyes from their fixed position on the ground, staring at her before adjusting, posing on the floor and garnering her attention for a brief moment. Her expression didn't change, but she did look at him, once, for a long heartbeat, before returning her gaze elsewhere and bidding him fetch her a drink. He seemed... uninclined. She swallowed, once, waiting... one moment, two. Her muscles tensed in anticipation of movement, before she noted the floating glasses from the corner of her eye. Clever creature. He busied himself about a foot from her cushioned chair, just barely within her sight line. It proved that he knew his place, he knew how to behave and that in the past, he had willfully chosen not to. As further emphasized by his words, which caused a spark of amusement in Shani, but also righteous, cool disapproval. 'Perhaps you are confused about just how this arrangement works. As you are new to me, I will forgive it, but only once.' She looked at him briefly, so as not to be misunderstood. 'I need not persuade you to do anything, ever. You belong to me. I own you. Should I choose to reward you for good behavior, that is my prerogative, given at my discretion. If not, you still do what I want, every time. And if, at any moment, I am denied, there are negative, appropriate consequences. It's quite simple, really.' And she smiled. It was a genuine, warm, sweet expression, as either prospect filled her with some measure of anticipation. Shani had always been very hands-on and involved in the training of her slaves and her employees, not afraid to make her presence and her appearance known. Her approval was highly-sought and her dissatisfaction was feared. With Darrick, it would be no different, no matter how long it took.

Though he showed great promise already. He did as she asked, in a fashion that was mildly inventive. His display showcased and confirmed what she had already suspected: he was regenerative, and at a rapidly accelerated pace. She had suspected, when the wound on his face that she had licked had healed away, but when he played with the glass before handing it to her, without the puncture of before, her suspicions were confirmed. Her hand took the glass with easy grace and she sipped, humming at the rich blend. His question piqued her interest, and garnered her attention once more as he showed off, just a bit. The woman crooked a finger, beckoning him forward before snagging the feather from between his lean fingers and shooing him away with it.

She rose from her seat, finally having had enough of the quiet whispers and silence. In a voice honed by her years, full of rich promise and sultry, crisp execution, she spoke to the crowd at large. 'My friends, what happened to the music? Do continue with the festivities! I've not yet finished celebrating.' Strangely enough for a pleasant sentiment, her final notes held the whisper of threat, inspiring the people below to hurriedly return to their former indulgences, though with slightly less whimsy than before. Shani returned to her seat, stroking Darrick's feather idly, running it across her exposed skin in oddly hypnotic patterns. The movements had a thought occurring to her within moments, however, and she again addressed her acquisition. 'Tell me, pet, are your wings actually capable of flight? Or are they simply a show piece?' His confinement would make more sense if they were just bright, bulky extensions, rather than useful appendages. And it would give her something else to keep in mind, were they able to lift his body from the ground. Something else to tell her keepers about, when she brought him home with her.

'Yes mistress,' was what he said. 'Hush, lady,' was what she heard. It took considerable effort for her to resist the urge to reach out and slap him at that point. But that would've cause some unnecessary mess, and she didn't need that, not yet. Not when he was actually busying himself with doing something she'd told him to do. Perhaps she'd just punish him a little extra later for his flippant behavior. The thought amused her while he finally finished his task and handed her her beverage. And she certainly wasn't about to reward his impish antics with her attention. She enjoyed his spirit, she liked that he had one left after a lifetime of belonging to others, but she didn't consider it charming or adorable to patronize her. Certainly not. So she calmly and quickly took her drink and the feather, blatantly stroking his throat with her eyes and then summarily dismissing him. He seemed so eager for her to bite him, seemed interested in her causing him some measure of pain, in her punishments. Punishments worked best when the recipient actually considered them unpleasant. But if Darrick was inclined to enjoy pain, looked upon torment as a fun endeavor to strive for... Well, she would just have to come up with more creative punishments and save the pain for rewards. It wasn't the first time, really. Shani had owned all kinds.

Although... well, the frisky misbehavior with the sound system was a first. Shani wanted not to smile. But a hint of intrigued fang revealed itself as she watched him float, flutter, swirl, sway and move to the music, showcasing his body and his talents for her, just a tad. He only faltered for the briefest second when she made her inquiry. Ah, a sore spot. A less-sharp eye would have completely missed it, but she had enhanced senses for a reason, and they had been greatly honed by her years of practice. Years and years of practice. They didn't miss the misstep, but they also couldn't deny how beautiful he really was. His jawline was simultaneously hard and soft, his skin begged to be touched, stroked, split... Muscles shivered and rippled under that exquisite top layer. His wings were downy-soft and evidently quite useful, despite their currently impaired state- feathers took a while to replace, she knew. She also knew of the softness from his single extracted feather, which she still held in her lean fingers, absently twirling it as he moved, something to do with her hands other than jerk him forward by the chain and dig in. He hadn't earned it, not yet. He hadn't earned her. And she could get her meals from much more deserving places than one scrumptious little faery, no matter how sweet and rich his blood had been. A faery with wings of light and a body for sin. Not surprising, really. She had yet to really look at the revealing piece of him she'd been given, but that would come in time, when the vampire was not so apt to watch him. For a moment. The first hint of his dance had piqued her curiosity, earned her gaze and her admiration for his delectable physicality, but her attention had wavered soon after.

Until the buffet of air that blew against her shivered tendrils of hair loose to tickle lightly across the sensitive skin of her neck and face as he kissed her pooled skirt and then continued his explanation and his charming rhetoric about sluggish vampires. The last earned him a mildly incredulous look, given that he was making presumptions about just what it was vampires needed. It was not as though he were their keeper. Vampires were not a thing to be handled and petted and run about for exercise to keep them from getting fat. Darrick had some nerve. Part of her was fond of the way he observed things, the lightness he associated with a life skill, but the other part of her was miffed. The rest approached irate shock when he fluttered down from the balcony, away from her, to the floor.

She could admit to some surprise. Had she been expecting it, perhaps she would have grabbed him. Perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. He possessed an airy quality that she had no interest in destroying, just bringing to heel, and the glide to the ground was further example of it. Of course, now she had to retrieve him. And Shani would do it herself. Having another collect her prize would kill the fun of it, and it seemed he desired some proof that she was capable. Though what of remained to be seen. Just what was it that he wanted her to prove? What wondrous feat was it that would earn her his respect? Because that was what he lacked in, oh yes. He didn't lack for fear or common sense, he was intelligent and resourceful and knowlegdeable, but he was not respectful. They would work on that.

Shani was a bit torn, however, and allowed him to roam longer than she likely would have, otherwise. She could show him just what it was like to be owned and favored and appreciated by her, a glimpse into what he could have if he learned to do just what she wanted when she wanted without question or reticence... Or she could set the precedent. Were he a puppy, she would choose the latter. There would be no preview, no glimpse, because puppies could not see the light at the end of the tunnel, could not relate a single instance to the end of the general whole. But as they had already established Darrick's enchanting intellect, well... The Egyptian rose from her seat smoothly, raising herself up on her delicate red heels before planting a hand on the lip of the balcony and lofting her body over the side. The skirt flew up around her shoulders and head, revealing a slip of sexy red silk lingerie with matching garters before she landed in a dark circle on the floor with an audible 'crack' against the marble. Her fingertips graced the cool material as she rose up, briefly inhaling the air and closing her eyes. His wings would give him away anywhere, even within a party such as this, but not as much as the scent that was uniquely him. That was why she closed her eyes. It was like she could see it, then, a whispered trail that she zipped through like chain lightning, lids still descended over amber orbs as the crowd adjusted to accommodate her. Could she have opened her eyes and looked for those bright beacons, yes. But that hardly seemed fair when it appeared he wanted to make a game of it. So she selected a better method, letting him roam for quite a few unattended minutes before catching up to him, leaning against a wall mere inches behind him and stroking a light, barely-there caress down his spine. She avoided his wings and hooked her fingers into the chain wrapped around his hips, using it to hold him still and maneuver him about so she could arch his spine backwards- he was taller than her, she didn't have a choice- with a firm grip of his hair, allowing her to whisper softly, seductively into his ear, the haunting music behind them, selected by him, providing a mildly frightening and totally erotic accompaniment to the moment.

'Am I active enough for you, darling? Quick enough? Sharp enough?' The last she asked in a heated growl, raking and grazing her fangs across his pulse point, feeling the venom build up, thick and heavy, eager to flood his system with ecstasy-providing toxins. It was no wonder he seemed so eager for the puncture of her teeth into his skin, not really. Vampire bites, after they stopped being painful, could be the most blissful high a person could experience. It was like pounding Ex and booze and coke, all at the same time, with no side effects except wanting more. It was a sharp craving, afterwards, but some managed pretty well. The most affected creatures tended to be human, but that was to be expected, weak little beings that they were. Thing was, certain vampires could determine whether or not to actually inject the venom. Meaning they could decide whether a bite was pleasure or pain... and some were not so generous with the pleasure. Shani was surprised that Darrick seemed to be so receptive to it when she was certain that not all of his experiences had been good ones, not if he'd lived here. 'How badly would you like to be bitten right now?' she continued, holding her body close to his, pressing warm curves against taut muscles, feeling her nipples harden in response. It felt good, and she wasn't inclined to withold her own enjoyment; it's what he was there for, after ll. 'You've been offering me this throat all night, pet, ever since I made Guin my bitch.' Her tongue rasped over the throbbing spot, as she wondered if his posture was proving uncomfortable yet, since she was unwilling to release him for a bit longer. 'Is it something about the power that draws you, above and beyond the bite itself?' Her hand reached around, freeing itself from the chain to calmly drag sharp, stinging claws across his lower back and abomen, up to his torso where she harshly tweaked his nipple, toying with the small ring there after she'd done so. Her assault on him was a tiny glimpse of the pain and pleasure she could deliver. Tiny. 'Maybe it was that I abused an oppressor...' she mused aloud, before shaking her head with a small chuckle. 'But I doubt that. You weren't overly oppressed before my visit.' She nipped the soft spot between his neck and shoulder, then, raising a welt but not drawing blood. 'So explain to me, darling, what makes you so eager for me to lay claim to this body? Because you know that's what it means, correct?' His earlobe was between her teeth, lavished by her tongue and fangs and privy to the depth of her mouth for a moment before she continued. 'One bite, and you're mine in much more than title alone.'

With that, she dropped him. It was sudden, likely surprising, and it denied them both the heat of the other in about half a second. Shani backed up to observe him, to lean against the wall and wonder at just what the sexy troublemaker would do next.

She was, in fact, hurting him. Perhaps that hadn't been her original intention, perhaps she had only meant to have him at her mercy, but not to the point of pain. It seemed, however, that Shani had always had a flair for the violent, for the excruciating. So whatever her original intentions may have been, what mattered was that now, his wings were fluttering for stability while his back and abdomen clenched with discomfort. And it would only grow, the pain would only intensify, the longer she held him in such a vulnerable position. But he had played with a predator, and he knew that. The faery had fully intended upon being caught- there was really no other option. Perhaps he had even been amused at the prospect of running from her, the hunt, the kill. Or the catch, as she had no plans- as yet- to kill him. He was entertaining, for all the headaches he'd brought.

And still recalcitrant. Still mouthy, sassing the more powerful figure as though her timeline wasn't sufficient. She actually chuckled, then, a low, languid purr of sound that halted several conversations throughout the room. Some because of fear, some because of lust. There was little room between the two reactions for much else. His next words came quickly, an explanation for his behavior. Shani raised a single eyebrow with mild surprise, though he couldn't see it. 'All of your other lessons, you purposefully ignore, but those, you persist with?' She lightly kissed the nape of his neck, a tiny precursor to the other ravishings she would assault his skin with in mere moments. And perhaps all the more spine-tingling because of it. 'What makes you think, sweet Darrik, that such teasings would please me?' Another kiss, a cat-like rasp of her warm tongue over his pulse, deceptively gentle in spite of the forceful grip she maintained on him. 'I only enjoy such blatant and slutty behavior when it's genuine. When you actually crave my fangs ripping into this pale throat, when you'll beg for it like a desperate, starved puppy, that's when I find it incredibly alluring. Until then... it's fake and foolish and only serves to irritate me.'

That was when her mouth began a more vicious series of teasing affections. She could scent the fear on him, the oils they'd slicked his skin with, the glitter, the acrid tang of bleach and dye- which she could only imagine came from his hair- the slightly spicy scent that he carried naturally and a hint of lust that smelled so wonderful it cried out for her to encourage it. But she didn't, not completely. Shani had no real use for a slave that didn't obey. And she certainly didn't reward ones who intentionally misbehaved to get a rise out of her. At least, not until they were much, much further along in their arrangements. The vampiress had a few trusted and trained pets that she would occasionally signal or encourage- though never verbally- to do something that might earn them a 'punishment' or twelve. But Darrik was not ones of those. Those select few were Elite. They were privileged and pampered as much as they served. One would hardly believe they were slaves until Shani walked into the room. One would never believe Darrik was a slave, not with his attitude, at least. So as much as she enjoyed the faint, beguiling and alluring wisp of desire that he gave her, that he gifted her with, she would let it go.

She let him go, freeing him from her clutches and clearly surprising him. He'd been on a precipice moments before, a waypoint between wanting and fearing. But he didn't understand. And that much was obvious, really. He had no idea what her bite would do to him. He had no concept of the bond that would develop, the way he would need her like he'd never needed anything in his life, the way only a hit from her teeth and her body would douse the fires in his system. It was her age, you see. It was how pure and potent the vampiric genetics were within her. In younger fledglings, in youthful children, the venom was so watered down and diluted that it buzzed and aroused victims. In Shani and others like her, ancients, it worked on the whole system- in some rare cases, it even established a telepathic, empathetic link- enhancing a beautiful symbiosis. Certainly, the woman could still hunt and feed and kill- or not, depending- and choose to leave those people high and dry- pardon the pun- never to return. But she was keeping Darrik- she had procured him, after all- and it just wouldn't do. Maybe someday.

'Of course not, pet. Perhaps I'll let you in on the secret someday, if you're a very good boy. If you make your mistress happy and find genuine, palpable want pulsing through you to feed her with, I may just grace you with the knowledge. Until then, however...' She gently fingered the thousands of dollars' worth of diamonds and silver at her throat, shrugging with a mysterious smile. Shani was a keeper of many secrets, and they weren't about to fall out of her mouth now just because he was intriguing and held an enormous amount of potential.

He showcased it a moment later, leaning back, bearing his torso and throat in an elegant pose of supplication, offering to amuse her. Shani blinked slowly, contemplative. 'Pray tell, Darrik, just what the extent of your training covers. Enlighten me, so I might know how to further that education for the most benefit.' Her voice was almost clinical, methodical. It held no sweetness, just an impression of interest and a hint of warning. It was important that she know- she may or may not verify with Guin after the blonde had recovered- so that she could effectively discipline him if he claimed ignorance, or be aware of the lack so as to only fairly punish him; it was pointless to beat someone when they were ignorant of the expectations. 'And then we'll see if you even have the ability to make me happy.' Challenge? You bet your ass.

'Many teachers' would always and forever give Shani the impression of inconsistency. One person had one standard, another had theirs, some had none... It was a recipe for slaves who didn't actually know what was expected of them. Shani had lost count of how many 'well-trained' slaves she had had to re-educate. And it wasn't their fault. The woman was very clear about when and where to place blame. Unfairness bred resentment. And if somebody was going to dislike her, so be it, but the vampiress was a fair hand of justice, clear and uncompromising. After her demands had been conveyed and understood, however... Well, that was when things were a bit more severe. She had taken someone's hand, once, for leaving fingerprints on her glassware when she was having company- it was a repeated offense, and she had had quite enough. Perhaps that seemed ridiculous, to some, but since, it has never been an issue in her house.

So while he waxed poetic about he variety of skills he had accumulated in his many years under vampiric tutelage, Shani was planning, calculating, estimating. She was also watching. And salivating. It was skill, indeed, that granted him the ability to make a series of fluid, almost dance-like motions on the floor before her graceful and alluring. It was skill that gave him such a crisp inflection, an ability to speak well, articulately and without real fear as another slave might when faced with a woman such as this. Skill, yes, but also a natural aptitude, a gift. Only the truly beautiful, the naturally hypnotic could garner Shani's attention. Only the exceptional went to her bed, only the exquisite. Only the talented worked in her home, tended her grounds, her people, her needs. Darrik could be those things, maybe. He certainly had a flair for the provocative, a confidence that was palpable and an energy that sang to the vampires in the room. It was made obvious- to those who knew what to look for- that it was even working on her. The muscles in her neck tightened as she kept herself still, her pupils dilated as she watched and, almost by reflex, her tongue darted out briefly to stroke her top lip when he showcased the barbell in his mouth. They were subtle motions of approval, bare hints that she was enjoying what he was doing. In fact, the whole room was enjoying what he was doing, the floor show spiking his pulse, just enough to garner even more attention as that heady blood moved in faster waves through his body. They hungered. She could practically hear it. But none of them was so stupid as to think they could try anything with her watching. And she was watching. Avidly.

A smile curved the bow of her shapely lips as she regarded him. The brunette gazed across his strong shoulders, his taut, defined abdominals, lean hips and muscled ass. She gazed at the line of his jaw, the fall of his hair- a thing she would be addressing shortly- the deft, clean lines of his hands. His wrists- naturally- intrigued her as well as his forearms and biceps, his pectorals looked- and had felt- flawless, calling her to bite him, to suck and tug his nipples, to clamp them until they turned a myriad of different colors. That flawless body asked to be owned, to be beaten and bruised and bound and caressed and fucked until he couldn't stand or move and it took him days to recover. But such was not something Shani just gave. It had to be earned.

Supposedly, it was something he wanted to earn. At least, if her interpretation wasn't wrong. She continued to stand there, tipped her head to look at him, to wonder and marvel at this man. Thoughtfully, she bit the inside of her cheek, quite gently and considered her words. Did she care what he wanted? In part, yes. Happy slaves performed better than those who just did as they were told out of fear. Fear had its place, but she preferred loyalty, respect, subservience. An unending desire to please her and a desperate desire to avoid failing, not only because they feared her reaction, but because their own guilt was just as terrible. 'Your skills are bountiful, Darrik, meted out by a variety of hands and minds, absorbed for self-preservation as much as interest. Your gifts are many, proudly displayed and masterfully showcased. I appreciate all of these things about you, treat. But I shan't be as forthcoming with my qualifications, I'm afraid. I would, however, also like to hear just what it is you think makes the best owners, the best masters. What qualities do you yearn for?' she queried, kneeling down to place a finger under his chin, to whisper the words into his ear, to pull back and meet that swirling set of eyes, wondering at what could possibly come out of his mouth this time. 'What makes you eager and desperate and needy, Darrik?' A two-fold question, she wanted that answer.

His intelligence, his sharpness, his adaptability was impressive so far and she had high hopes for the future. There was never a second chance to make a first impression, so she had that expectation in her mind, now, that he would continue with the behavior. But she had to wonder if he was to be believed- certainly, throughout her years, she had grown a knack for reading people, and an observation skill to rival a great many profilers, but still, there were moments when even she was not entirely positive- if his sentiment, if his desire to actually become a good slave was real. Did he mean the words? Or was he just being coy and coquettish now in an attempt to rile her and simultaneously make her complacent? After all, if she thought he wanted to be there, she would not worry about his escape attempts, would she? Hmm. Either way, it was a clever string of words and Shani was challenged and oddly delighted, both.

'I can teach you, perhaps. Unfortunately, many lack the necessary prerequisites to be taught. Sad, really, considering that even dogs can grasp a few basic tasks.' She shook her head and 'tsked' under her breath before continuing. 'And most people can only learn as much as they genuinely wish to, as much as they give themselves over to. So, perhaps, if we really try, you can learn. If you decide not to learn? Well, I can find other uses for you, beautiful as you are.' Delicately, she pressed a kiss to his forehead and extracted the ribbon from his grasp. It was long, almost ridiculously so, but that kind of worked for her. The kiss had been dangerous, harmful intent clearly evident in the small gesture. No pleasure slave wanted to be reduced to something else. It was a loss of status and a turn at a life so much more unbearable than their current one. She would bet a hefty sum that nobody had ever threatened him with a different kind of servitude. Darrik was a rarity, a prize. What fool would use him for something that was beneath him? Shani. Shani would. It would be a loss, but some losses were entirely necessary. 'Well, it might be in spite of how beautiful you are, should you prove a less than diligent pupil.' She smirked, twining the length of fabric around his throat, her gestures meticulous and careful, stringing and knotting it as though it were a tie... Or a noose. 'First lesson- and perhaps the most important- my word is law.' She kissed his cheek this time, equally soft, like brushing a rose petal across his skin. 'What I say comes before all else in your world, before your own discomfort, your own needs, actual laws, the words of others... It's fairly self-explanatory,' she finished quietly, kissing his other cheek and ending her ministrations with the ribbon. ' The other lessons, you'll learn after mastering this one. Now, here, hold this,' she said, placing the red silk in his hand, the tightening end of the knot, the one that would cut off his air supply if yanked hard enough. 'Now, if you would, pull this until I ask you to stop, hmm?' Her smile was just a little decadent, just a little vicious and a lot wicked. And she may phrased it as a request, but they both knew better. She rose from her position near the floor to watch, to take in the whole view of him if he followed her command... And to take a different stance, should she need to punish him.