(psl) meet me in the shadows, won't you tell me what you've found

[disdelusioned]

 come down to where all of the others fell

get lost in the dark to find yourself

[x]

 

Comments

first meetings.

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc Ragnvindr is a monster that hunts monsters worse than he is.

When those monsters happen to be mortal, he gets to feed.

That has been how he has conducted himself for centuries, and it has worked well enough. He has no delusions that this somehow makes him more noble or honorable than his vampire brethren. Much like people, creatures of the night run the gamut of ethics and morality, and the communities to which they belong tend to reflect those values. In his coven of Mondstadt, Diluc's methods are considered extreme; there are many that would consider even this a step too far, that human life isn't intended to be snuffed out no matter the circumstances.

Diluc finds that attitude hopelessly naive. It's part of why he keeps his distance from them, more often than not.

Tonight, he is on patrol through city streets, eyes aglow behind a cloak and mask. In his prowling, he comes across an unassuming young woman skulking in an alleyway. Warily, he slows and stops his steps.]

What are you?

[Not "who." He can tell from her scent that she isn't human. That doesn't necessarily doom her - non-humans aren't automatically evil, and humans can be among the worst monsters - but it makes him cautious.]

[hearthwarming]

[ Were Oriphi privy to his trepidations, she would agree. He's right to be cautious.

She is well-aware of what happens when she cannot feed. Insatiable lust becomes uncontrollable, not to be stopped until she's had her fill - and it just might kill a person, if she's not careful. She desperately doesn't want to get to that point, but she can feel that she's so very close.

She hates it, and she hates what she is. But she doesn't want to die... If she could just find someone, perhaps a bored tavern patron looking to distract themselves after a few drinks, anyone—

Then appears a figure before her, his shadow casting over her as she looks up at him, flushed and hungry, and yet there's a suffering in her eyes.

She is silent for a moment as she regards him. This must be the Darknight Hero. She's heard Donna go on and on about this man while daydreaming at the flower stall. She's tried to be careful, to refrain from attracting his attention whenever she is searching for someone to seduce, but it seems her luck has run out this time.

What she needs to do to survive just might kill a person, if she's not careful— but one glance at the one before her tells her that he is no ordinary man. Does he know what she is...? ]

I... I don't know what you mean.

[disdelusioned]

[Ugh, he hates being known as the "Darknight Hero." It's a stupid name given to him by the people of the city in recognition of the filth he rids them of, and he wishes they had come up with literally anything else. Or, more preferably, no such title at all. He doesn't want their recognition. That's not the point.

The woman is evasive in her answer. Little surprise, given that she's going through the trouble of concealing her true nature in the first place. But he has no intentions of allowing her to slip away from the subject so easily.]

You do.

[His voice is flat and stern, not allowing any room for argument.]

It will be easier for both of us if you're honest. So I'll ask you again: what are you?

[hearthwarming]

[ Her gaze falls away from his face as she bites down on her lip. He has her cornered. If he were anyone else - a human - she would have some hope of escaping if she could knock him out and continue her hunt elsewhere. But she can likewise sense from his scent that he isn't human, and thus she's left with very few options. She could continue to lie - which she has always been terrible at, contrary to what most would assume of a succubus - and risk drawing his ire and perhaps get herself killed, or... tell the truth.

While she uses the bodies of others for her own pleasure, for her own survival, she isn't heartless. It is simply the circumstance of what she is. She likes to think that in the light of day - when she's been sated, when she simply appears as any other woman would - she is a kind, generous person. Just another citizen of Mondstadt, growing and selling flowers to make a humble living.

So when she looks up at him once more, her eyes are pleading. Maybe he'll think that this is part of an act, but it isn't - not on her part. She just wants to live. ]

I... I'll tell you, but please, I— I don't mean to harm anyone.

[ She staggers and leans on her side, against a wall. ]

I'm a succubus. I'm just... [ Hunting. ] I don't have much time.

[disdelusioned]

[He watches her impassively, taking in her words and weighing it against the evidence of his senses. He has no reason to disbelieve her when she says she's a succubus - it explains the scent, and it explains how and why she's taking a human form. It's how her kind hunts, luring hapless mortals to bed and draining their life force via coitus. Some succubi get off on sucking their victims dry and leaving their husks behind. Others only take what they need and move on, not entirely unlike how the vampires of Mondstadt tend to operate.

This one, it seems, is an extreme example of the latter. That's demonstrated just as much by her obvious weakness as it is by her panicked assurances that she means no harm. No succubus worth her weight in cruelty would let herself go this hungry. It's possible that this is all an act, of course, but his instinct tells him otherwise.

He sighs and closes the distance between them.]

You'd be a lot less dangerous if you didn't let yourself get to this point.

[It's an admonition, but not a threat.

He looks down at her, taking the opportunity to look her over. She really is quite lovely, even by the standards of her species. Perhaps moreso, as she somehow possesses more charm than the purely sexual charisma that most succubi seem to prefer when taking human forms. Beneath her desperate desire (a scent that is much more evident now that he's close to her), she smells of flowers and earth. Eventually, his gaze settles on her neck. Her heart is beating fast, and it's impossible to ignore the effect it's having on her pulse.

She's not the only one who hungers tonight. It would be so easy, so satisfying to pull her close, sink his teeth into that beautiful artery, and drink. He could make it painless for her--pleasurable even. And he could sate her and take his pleasure at the same time. Such an arrangement is far from unheard of, and they'd both benefit.

No one has to die tonight.]

You feed from me, I drink from your neck. We both live. Yes or no?

[This close, she can surely see his fangs. Her instincts were right--he's no more human than she is.]

[hearthwarming]

[ She shrinks a little it into herself when he steps forward, both because she's unsure as to what he's going to do, and because she doesn't know how much longer she can keep herself from simply feeding on someone who's standing right there. But most of all, she knows little about the Darknight Hero; what if he hunts monsters like herself?

What he says, however, isn't something she anticipates in the least. She would sooner think that he would turn around and run away - sooner still that, weakened as she is, he would simply ignore her plea and take her out. She certainly hadn't been expecting him to sound... understanding.

So he knows of her kind... Then he must know that the way he stands over her could very well kill her. She can't help but groan as she senses him looking her over her appraisingly, because all she can think is how badly she wants his hands to be where his eyes roam over her body. ]

Please, I have to—

[ go, she wants to say. She would very much like for him to spare her, and then to let her go so that she can find someone to seduce.

But then he offers himself up, instead. He has subverted all of her expectations in such a short time. Who on earth is this man...?

Her eyes widen as she looks up again and finds pointed teeth, fangs that are meant to sink into flesh and drink blood. ]

Ah...

[ Just like that, the pieces have fallen into place.

Though rare, her her hunts usually involve her simply putting herself at the right place at the right time. She'll catch someone's eye around the tavern. Or some unsuspecting fool will buy flowers from her and show up at her door not too long after, already bewitched.

But this is a first, for many reasons, and she cannot refuse or she would be in danger. And so too, it seems, would he, although perhaps to a lesser extent.

At length, she reaches up to brush her hair away from her shoulder, baring her neck to him as she takes a few steps back, beckoning him further into the dark alley, her eyes never leaving his. ]

Yes. Please.

[disdelusioned]

[She's amenable. For her sake, that's a good thing - had she denied him out of a sense of propriety or fear, it would be dire for her while merely uncomfortable for him. The best case scenario would have been that he'd only take three steps away from her before she attacked him from behind and took what she needed from him by force.

He would have let her. And then he would have made sure to put the fear of hell into her so that she doesn't do it again.

Instead, he can't help but grin slightly as she starts to lead him further away from the light of the street. Humans won't be able to see them, but they can still see each other just fine. They're both creatures of the night. Darkness is where they thrive.

Speaking of:]

Let go of the disguise.

[He knows what she is. She's just wasting what precious little energy she has left in keeping the human image up.

Besides, he wants to see her for what she really is as he fucks her. There's a dark thrill behind all of this, no doubt enhanced by the pheromones he knows she's emitting, and he's letting himself be pulled into it.]

[hearthwarming]

[ Oriphi would sooner let herself starve to death than take what she needs by force. She is aware that sometimes the lines are blurred, and that it's an inevitability. Sometimes she purposely preys on someone who's had too much to drink, in hopes that they won't remember her. It's wrong, and she knows it. But it's how she survives. At the very least, she's never physically harmed someone to get what she needs.

Emotionally, perhaps. But not on purpose.

But this vampire isn't some human who fell in love with the wrong woman. For once, she doesn't have to worry about breaking someone's heart because they wanted to see her again - not knowing that doing so could very well kill them. And she can't help but feel a strange sense of relief.

As such, she only hesitates momentarily at his suggestion— though he doesn't quite say it like one. She peers up at him, and her lips draw into a thin line as she takes a deep breath and reveals her true form to him. Olive skin turns to lilac and rose as horns appear on her head, tail beneath her skirts. She undoes the buttons of her blouse all the while to shrug it off, the fabric pooling at her waist as wings emerge and spread from her back. And yet even through the transformation, her face remains the same. There's something gentle behind those glowing, amber eyes, something a little too kindhearted and soft in spite of what she is. And even as she bids him closer, there's a strange sense of comfort and warmth that lurks beneath the allure of this dark thrill. It's with that same sense that she looks up at him and asks, ]

You, too. Let go.

[ as if to tell him that his secret is safe with her. ]

[disdelusioned]

[The succubus is lovely as a human, and even lovelier in her true form like this.

The look in her eyes, especially, takes him aback. What he finds there is relief and warmth and honesty, and he can tell that his instincts were correct before. She's not harmless - no one truly is - but she has no malicious intent. Like many, she's simply doing her best to get by. He's in no position to judge her for that, even if her methods leave much to be desired.

Her request for reciprocity draws him out of his reverie, and he blinks at her a few times in surprise. The thought of unmasking himself never occurred to him, but now that she's given voice to it... well, fair is fair.]

As you wish.

[He pulls off his mask and lowers his hood, revealing fair skin, youthful features, and a long red ponytail. His eyes, crimson and piercing, continue to glow as before as he looks her over again. This time, he allows the gaze to become hungry as it follows the curves of her breasts.

It isn't long before he reaches down, undoing his pants and lowering them just enough for them to free his already half-hard cock. And then he picks her up and presses her back to the wall, hiking up her skirts to her waist and pressing his hips up against hers.

He moans softly when skin meets skin instead of finding fabric there. She's not wearing panties. Fuck.]

not even a full 24 hours later,

[hearthwarming]

[ Oriphi can scarcely believe that what happened last night was real.

But she awakens the next morning, feeling more fit than she has in a very long time, even despite the fact that she's not quite had her fill. Dawn comes and with it comes a feeling that something is beginning, something special. She can't quite put a finger on it, but at the very least, she knows that her life is going to be different from now on. And in some ways, it feels as though her life is just about to truly begin. She can see an end to her days of living in fear of herself, for once in her life.

And to think it would be thanks to Diluc Ragnvindr, the most powerful man in Mondstadt, the Darknight Hero, and the vampire who's promised her this new chance at life.

She goes about her usual routine, feeling light on her feet as she arranges and tends to flowers all day long. Ori has been a mainstay at Floral Whisper for quite sometime; anyone in town who has reason to buy flowers regularly know her to be a kind, if not softspoken woman - but today, she seems more receptive to casual conversation than usual, even initiating them a few times. Some of her customers comment on the fact, to which she simply smiles and tells them that she had a good night's rest, is all.

Come nightfall, however, the excitement starts to fade, and in its place is hunger beginning to beckon to her again. If not for her demonic nature, she would describe what she had taken from Diluc last night to be divine— yet, given the state of near-death she put herself into, it wasn’t enough even for how nourishing it had been.

So she heeds his warning and makes her way to the address he had given her. It’s late enough into the evening that everything feels peaceful - especially for mortals who know not about the creatures who roam about in the night - but not quite so late that Diluc would be out doing what he had been the night before when he found her in that alleyway. Or so she hopes, at least.

She has come in her human form, of course, but she can’t help but hesitate when it comes time for her to knock on the door. It doesn’t quite… Feel right, for her to do so. What would she even say to whoever answers the door? ”I’ve come to sleep with the master of the house?” Or make up some convoluted lie? She would be so lucky to even get the words out of her mouth.

So instead, she stands outside the entrance in wait, hoping perhaps that Diluc will notice and let her in himself. And before long, she sits at the edge of one of the flower beds, idly picking dead flowers off of the plants. ]

hee hee

[disdelusioned]

[After leaving Oriphi behind last night, Diluc continued his patrols and perhaps drank a bit too deeply from a would-be assailant. Regrettable, but not dire; he left the man stable and out in the open, so he'll live. Probably.

He doesn't feel all that sorry, especially given that he needed the energy. All said and done, and by his own design, the succubus took more than she gave. Typically, he can overcome a bit of feeling worn down. He doesn't always drink from those he finds in his nighttime vigilante activities, and he's stubborn and focused enough to ignore the hunger if the occasion calls for it. But given the open invitation he's laid at Oriphi's feet, he figures he should remain as sated as possible. For both of their sakes.

To say that she intrigues him is an understatement. He's dealt with succubi and incubi before, and she's nothing like her brethren. She's soft-spoken, uncomfortable in her own skin, well-meaning to the point of self-destruction. Despite all that - or perhaps because of it - she's still every bit as charming as any other succubus he's ever met. It just manfiests in an entirely different way. And it's hard to get the image of her in her pressed against the wall as he has his way with her out of his head.

Diluc isn't immune to the darker desires of his kind. Bloodlust and regular old lust generally go hand-in-hand with vampires. He'd be lying if he said he didn't spend the better part of the following day imagining what he wants to do to her and what he wants her to do to him as he went about his work.

The staff - all of whom are privy to Diluc's true identity and nighttime activities - are informed of Oriphi's probable arrival. He gives the excuse of her joining him for dinner, but the head maid, Adelinde, knows better than to go out of her way to prepare it. "Dinner" is often code for any number of other reasons, and in this case she has her suspicions as to what it is he intends to do with the young succubus he's inviting over. More than anyone else in the household, Adelinde knows everything.

If food is required, she can magic something up.

---

Evening falls, and eventually there's a knock at Diluc's office door. "Master Diluc?" He looks up to see Adelinde hovering in the doorway. "The young lady you invited over for dinner is outside tending to the gardens."

Oh. Apparently she's too shy to ring the doorbell.]

Thank you, Adelinde. I'll go down to greet her.

[He leaves his desk and office behind, heading downstairs and outside to where Oriphi sits.]

Did you plan to remain out here with the flowers all night?

[hearthwarming]

[ Ori hears the door open behind her, and although her first thought is ”Oh no, someone has come to send me away,” within another moment she realizes that she recognizes the weight and cadence of those footsteps, only to be affirmed when she hears Diluc’s voice.

And the moment that she does, it’s as if everything about last night comes back to her. The sound of his voice, groaning and moaning with pleasure as he took her hard against the wall of that dark alleyway. The way his fangs pierced into her. The bruises that yet linger on her thighs from the way he held her. Already she can feel the hunger she’s been staving off all day while living in bliss filling her head and her body with want and heat. Just from the sound of his voice. She’s never felt that way before… But she’d also never felt so alive and fulfilled as she had last night, even for how short-lived their encounter was.

She wonders if tonight will be the same.

The weary gaze she gives him as she stands and glances over her shoulder to look at him is but a thin veil for the hunger and desire bubbling up within her. She’s not as starved as she had been the night before, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel those urges… And especially so now that she sees him like this, without his mask or cloak, his features framed delicately by the soft glow of moonlight and lanterns and the light coming from within his manor. When she turns to face him, she offers a quick curtsy before she looks away to the side, eyes fixing upon something, anything, so that she doesn’t have to look right at him and think about how much she wants to find the nearest, private corner of these gardens to have her way with him. ]

Master Diluc… I wasn’t sure how to… Approach. Or if it was proper of me to show up to your front door… I’m sorry.

[disdelusioned]

[Oriphi looks up at him with an uncertain and somewhat guarded expression, but there's no disguising the sheer want he can smell on her. It's tempted to drag her further into the gardens, tear off her clothing, and to pick up where they left off last night.

But he resists. He wants to lead her to his chambers and take his time with her tonight. Now that her condition is no longer desperate, he wants to savor this. Hopefully, she feels similarly.

In the meantime, he gives her a slight bow to match her curtsy.]

I should be the one to apologize. I could have given you clearer instructions than "just show up." The staff knows that you're a welcomed guest. Feel free to knock or ring the bell in the future.

But for now... [He offers an arm.] Shall we?

[hearthwarming]

Oh, I… I see.

[ Despite everything else that she feels in this moment, that growing lust and desire, she still manages to look earnestly surprised at his response. He’s being awfully… cordial, given what she’s arrived to do here tonight, and she’s rarely ever been a welcomed guest to anyone’s home. Some of her more desperate trysts have inevitably been with people she should not have fallen into bed with, whether because of their marital status or for any number of other reasons, and yet here he is, telling her that she can walk right through the front door.

Diluc Ragnvindr, the most powerful man in Mondstadt, is truly such a mystery… And yet, he is a mystery that she can’t quite help but want to unravel, in so many ways.

She takes his arm, although she still refrains from looking at him properly. It’s easier as they walk side-by-side instead, at least. ]

I’ll try not to take up much of your time. I’m sure you’re very busy…

[disdelusioned]

[She won't look at him properly, but he can't keep his eyes off of her. It's tempting to reach down and tilt her face up to him, to actually look into those amber eyes and assure her that she is, in fact, welcomed here. He invited her with full knowledge of who she is and what she needs, and there's no one in this entire city who could challenge that authority.

No one, it seems, aside from the deep-seeded sense of insecurity that belongs to his guest. Hopefully, what they get up to will disabuse of her it before the night is through.]

As it so happens, I have no conflicts this evening. There's no need for us to rush.

[They reach the front door and he opens it for her.]

After you.

[The entrance of the manor is the Dawn Winery decorated in wood and warm hues, dimly lit and cozier than one might expect of a vampire's home.]

We'll be headed upstairs and into the first door on the right.

[hearthwarming]

[ If things go his way (or both of theirs, really) he’ll have plenty of chances to look into her eyes yet tonight. Or maybe not. Only time will tell…

As it is, she’s unsure of what to make of what he says. In the heat of the moment last night, she surely thought about what it would be like for them to take their time. What it would be like to see him bared and ready for her to feed off of. But she’d made the assumption that tonight will go in much the same way as last night had, only behind closed doors, and thus she’s disarmed by his words. She didn’t think he would want the same things that the carnal urges of her being are making her want… He’s doing this for the greater good, and to drink her blood - and as far as she’s concerned for those two reasons alone. But then again, everything that he’s done up to this point has been entirely beyond her expectations.

She pulls her arm away from his and enters the manor when he opens it for her with a polite nod of her head. As much as she would want to simply make her way to the room he’s indicated, she can’t help but look around at the grandeur of everything. It’s certainly nice, if not unexpectedly warm and cozy. With each passing moment, he surprises her again and again, and the look of her face is one of awe as she continues on, casting her gaze about as she starts to ascend the stairs. ]

It’s, um… It’s a beautiful home.

[ Of course it is, Ori. He’s rich as hell. ]

[disdelusioned]

Thank you.

[What's grandiose to her is merely normal to him, but he can accept the compliment nonetheless. It's clear that she's overwhelmed by all of this, and honestly he's not sure why he expected any other reaction from her. For all of her power and capability, Oriphi is a timid creature.

The sooner they can get behind closed doors, the better. He'll be able to lure her out of her head when it's just them and their respective carnal instincts.]

Follow me.

[He leads her up the stairs and into the first door on the right to his chambers. They're functionally a suite separate from the rest of the manor, complete with its own living quarters, a door to a large bathroom off to one side, and a door leading to his bedroom toward the back. It's similarly furnished to the the lobby downstairs, although there's more plush fabric and heavy curtains to keep the light out.

(Contrary to popular belief, vampires can survive the light just fine. But they don't care for it, and Diluc is no exception.)]

Make yourself comfortable.

💐🍷

[hearthwarming]

[ Autumn arrives in Mondstadt, and with it, Weinlesefest.

For many who reside in the nation of freedom, the days leading up to the festival's commencement are busy. And though Oriphi's occupation doesn't lie within the wine industry, there's still plenty of work to be done for a florist between decorations for the festival grounds and preparing arrangements to be sold at the festival proper. Her days, as of late, have been filled with preparing garlands and wreaths, crafting arrangements, and everything else that comes with the territory. Some nights, she works late in an effort to ensure that preparations stay on track.

Other nights are filled with activities of a different sort altogether, thanks to an arrangement with a certain vampire.

Regardless, the festival arrives in earnest, and with preparations complete, Oriphi finds herself with free time for the first time in weeks. Pauline, another florist, is currently in charge of manning the stall at the festival, and sends Oriphi off to enjoy the festival for herself.

"You've worked so hard up until this point! Don't forget to enjoy Weinlesefest, too!"

And it's that which has Oriphi wandering the grounds at present, although being told to enjoy her free time apparently doesn't stop her from beginning to fuss over one of the potted flower arrangements next to one of the other stalls. The green of the leaves contrast against her currently pale skin as she frowns. ]

This needs to be watered...

[disdelusioned]

[Weinlesefest is a busy time of year for Diluc as well, given that he is quite involved in the wine industry. His days are filled with coordinating staff and making sure that no detail or task is overlooked, and his nights are long and grueling thanks to him stepping up his patrols so that no one dares step out of line during the festivities.

The only times he's allowed himself to sleep are the nights he's spent with a succubus who's been run just about as ragged as he has. He increasingly finds himself feeling... refreshed after their trysts, and not just from the feeding. Time spent with her allows him to relax and actually be able to rest.
It's an alarming development, all told. So he gives it no thought, lest his mind wander to places he would much rather it not go.

During the festival itself, Diluc prefers to stay out of the way as much as he can. But he does take one afternoon to meander through its stalls, partly out of a need to make an appearance and partly out of an earnest desire to see at least some of it. As luck would have it, he finds Oriphi crouched next to a food vendor and fussing over the plants.]

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised running into you here, of all places.

[hearthwarming]

[ Likewise, Oriphi has eased into the routine of their trysts over time. She would be naive to think, however, that their arrangement can go on indefinitely, and at times she finds herself wondering and worrying over when - not if - it will break bad, and how.

But for now... It's a relief to be able to live without wondering how she'll cope with going for long periods without feeding. To know that he won't let her starve herself the way that she used to.

(And also... it's hard to ignore how really good the sex is.)

They have, however, limited their interactions in the daytime to be close to nonexistent. She's never given him more than a nod of acknowledgment any time their paths cross in the city, which isn't common to begin with. After all, he is Master Diluc Ragnvindr, and she is but a humble florist.

And now here he is, standing before her at the festival as she stands and whirls on her heel with a mind to return to her stall and retrieve a watering can. Startled, she gasps and goes a bit rigid before she remembers herself and offers a clumsy little curtsy. Her gaze, meanwhile, remains averted. ]

M— Master Diluc. So... lovely to see you today. Are you enjoying the festival, my lord?

[disdelusioned]

[There's a part of Diluc that finds catching Oriphi off-guard like this entertaining, enjoying the way she tries so hard not to squirm under the pretense that they don't know each other. It's a bit mean, and more than a little bit of a power trip. But gods, if she's not gorgeous as she does it.

It makes him want her on her knees in front of him, submissive and waiting for his next command. But that's not something that can happen now, so instead he gives her a pleasant, polite smile.]

There's no need to be so formal today, of all days. I'm just here to enjoy the atmosphere, same as anyone else.

The flowers are especially beautiful this year. You and your associates did an excellent job.

[The compliment is an earnest one. The festival is a sight to behold, not least because of the vibrant flowers and greenery that adorn each stall.]

[hearthwarming]

[ She is well-aware of the dynamic that exists between them in moments like these. He's the most powerful man in Mondstadt, and she is a succubus hiding under the guise of a meek townsperson. With a few simple words, he could very well destroy her life. In even this most innocent, courteous conversation, he holds all of the power.

And yet, she doesn't find herself all that afraid. She knows that he's enjoying this, but she also knows that when the night falls and the doors close behind them, her capacity for cruelty is just as much, and she has every capability to have him begging for her kindness and mercy. She's not the type to be petty and to exact revenge, but she could be if she really wanted to - and he knows that, too.

The real challenge is making it appear to ordinary folk as if there isn't something very palpable in the air between the two of them.

At his urging, she straightens her posture and finally holds his gaze. Her expression is every bit as polite as his, perhaps tinged with lingering uncertainty, but she manages a sincere, appreciative smile when he comments on her work. ]

Ah, thank you. You and your people have worked hard, too. I've heard nothing but glowing reviews for your Angel's Share and Dawn Winery's offering this year.

[ Her gaze falls back to the struggling plant beside her. ]

If you'll excuse me, Master Diluc, I do need to take care of this...

[disdelusioned]

[He knows how quickly he can destroy her. He has no interest in doing so.

Even when he does weigh his power against hers, it's with the intention of watching her squirm, not actually putting her into any danger. It's the sort of powerplay that she can turn back on him behind closed doors, where she can make him putty in her hands. With just a bit of magic, he'd be all hers for however long she wants him to be.

There are times where he wishes she would. Those thoughts are equal parts troubling and erotic, the kind that have him stroking himself at night while trying not to think about the implications.

For now, however, the cards are his to hold. And he's not about to let her get away that easily.]

Oh, are you headed back to your stall? Allow me to follow; I'd like to purchase some fresh flowers for The Angel's Share this evening.

[hearthwarming]

[ She barely conceals a worried little whine under her breath at what he says. Because she has no reason to refuse him, and it would be rude indeed for her to do so. But also because... She can't bring herself to even want to refuse him, even knowing full well that she should, that they should be keeping their distance from each other. As such, Ori has to take a moment to formulate the proper words. ]

...I see. If that's the case, then it would be our pleasure to sell you our flowers. I hope that you'll find them to your liking. And I'm sure that one of our florists would be more than happy to help you select the perfect arrangement...

[ If he's feeling merciful, they'll make their way to the stall together and she can return to this wilting plant while someone else tends to him. But she has a feeling that things aren't quite going to work out that way.

There's only one way to find out, so with a grateful nod she spins on her heel and begins to walk back towards the stall. ]

[disdelusioned]

[They should be keeping their distance, yes. But Diluc isn't the sort who always does what's best for himself, so here they are. For what it's worth, he doesn't intend to linger long enough to make things dangerous. All he wants is to rile her up a little, then send her on her way until they can meet behind closed doors.

The walk back to the stall is rather uneventful, and by some miracle of self control Diluc manages not to stare too openly at Oriphi as she walks a few paces ahead of him. He's not one for ogling, usually, but given their relationship there's a palpable temptation to. As much as he prefers her succubus form, her human disguise is quite lovely.

But they're in public and unable to show their true selves. Appreciating her figure will also have to wait until later.

Pauline is with a customer when they return to the stall, so there's no one to tend to him but Oriphi. Luckily for all parties involved, Donna is off today.]

I have the order written down, if that's helpful.