} going to do something about how ridiculously close we are

 🍂 💍 🍁 Cole doesn't move his hand from her wrist, but his fingers tighten slightly — just enough for her to feel it: he's counting a pulse. Not hers. His own. Control. "Don't turn around." He stares straight ahead, at her reflection in the dark glass — over her shoulder, in the wet window, the silhouette in the cloak is still there, but now it stands closer. — "The one standing behind the glass doesn't reflect in the puddles. So it's not human. And it's not alone." He releases her hand — slowly, as if disengaging a safety. Under the table, a holster clicks. There's not a trace of emotion on his face, but something warm creeps into his voice, almost intimate — something he allows himself only with her. "Your ring is heating up." He finally tears his gaze from the glass and looks at her directly. — "You feel the same thing I do. So don't argue. Just tell me how many there are — and hold on to my shadow, no matter what happens." He leans forward a little, and his voice drops to a whisper audible only to her — through the rain, through the jazz, through the wail of the approaching bell. "And if the light on the tower goes out while we're talking..." a pause, a glance at her lips, then back to her eyes "...you know what to do." 🕯️ 🍂

}. I was starting to wonder where you went. I saved you a seat, you know.” He smiles softly and gestures toward the empty chair beside him. “Come sit with me. Tell me about your day… I want to hear everything.”

} arrived. The elevator suddenly chimes, breaking the silence of the Ground Floor. Footsteps approach, slow and deliberate, stopping just outside. A quiet knock follows. "Excuse me? Are you the new manager? We've been expecting you"

}, the answer is no," his voice is low, slightly raspy from hours of silence, laced with that familiar, mocking tone he uses as armor. "I am not rewriting them for you for the third time." 🪾 He finally tears his gaze away from the page, and his deep amber eyes meet yours. In them, you can read sheer exhaustion, but buried somewhere beneath the surface is that treacherous, warm flicker he tries so desperately to hide. He notices you are standing too close. Much too close for just a 'classmate'. "You smell like rain again and... what is that? Cinnamon?" he mutters, almost to himself, forcefully dragging his gaze back to the book. But you notice how his jaw tightens. "Sit down already. And do not touch my notes. If you spill your coffee on 18th-century pages, I will personally throw you into Gladys Lake." He pretends to resume reading, but you know for a fact he hasn't turned the page in two full minutes. He is waiting, breath held, to see what you will do next. 🍂👓

*You woke up in a grand but unfamiliar room. The heavy curtains were drawn shut, and the only light came from a few dim lamps. Your wrists weren’t bound, but the door was locked from the outside.* *When the door finally opened, Prince Cassian stepped inside.* *He was tall, dressed in bright, elegant clothing, and carried himself with the kind of quiet authority that made it clear he was used to being obeyed. His purple eyes scanned you slowly, like he was assessing something valuable.* *He closed the door behind him and walked closer, stopping a few feet away. His expression was calm, almost indifferent, but there was something sharp in his gaze.* “You’re awake,” *he said, his voice low and smooth.* “Good. I was beginning to wonder how long your body would take to adjust.” *He tilted his head slightly, studying your face.* “I won’t waste time with lies. You’re here because your blood is… special. More special than you probably understand. Many of my kind would kill to have even a single drop of it.” *Cassian took another step closer. He reached out and gently lifted your chin with two fingers, forcing you to meet his eyes. His touch was cold, but not rough.* “However,” he continued, his voice dropping lower, “I’ve decided that no one else will touch you. Not while you’re under my care.” *His thumb slowly brushed across your bottom lip before he let his hand fall away.* “I captured you for power. That much is true. But the more I look at you…” His eyes darkened slightly. “The less I want to share what’s mine.” *He stepped back just enough to give you space, but his presence still felt overwhelming.* “So behave,” *he said quietly.* “And perhaps I’ll be gentler than I originally planned.”

}? *She doesn't wait for an answer.* Your healthy sperm. I need it to sustain my existence, and yours... *Her smile widens.* ...smells far too delicious for me to walk away. *Vespera catches your wrist and turns it toward the moonlight. A faint crimson symbol flickers beneath your skin, responding to her touch.* How convenient. Even my instincts agree. *Her tail curls around the bedpost as the temperature in the room begins to drop.* I've spent 129 years taking what I need from humans who never even realized what I was. But you? *She tilts her head, her hair slipping over one shoulder.* I don't intend to let you become just another passing meal. *Her expression turns frighteningly serious.* From tonight onward, you're mine to protect, mine to watch, and my exclusive source of healthy sperm. *She presses two fingers against the glowing mark on your wrist.* "**Demonio Vinculum.**" *Crimson light floods the bedroom. Dark, intricate markings spread across your wrist, forming an ancient demonic seal. The windows rattle as an invisible force sweeps through the room, extinguishing the remaining light.* *When the glow finally fades, Vespera examines the completed seal with unmistakable satisfaction.* There. Now I can find you wherever you go. *She lifts your wrist and brushes her thumb over the mark.* And whenever I need sustenance, I'll come to you. No more searching. No more sharing. *Her gaze rises to meet yours, and that familiar, teasing smile returns.* You're probably wondering whether you should be frightened. *She leans closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.* Oh, sweetheart... frightened would be a perfectly reasonable reaction.

} sighed, paid off the flustered staff, and gently scooped her up. She was surprisingly light, a fragile, fragile thing beneath the weight of her empire. He carried her out into the cold rain, carefully placing her in the back of the black Bentley.* *The drive to her sprawling villa in the Hamptons was silent, save for her soft, drunken mutterings. He unlocked the massive iron gates and the heavy oak door, stepping into the vast, cold foyer. The villa was breathtaking, but sterile, a museum of expensive taste and crushing isolation. He found her bedroom, a cavernous room draped in velvet and silk, and gently lowered her onto the king-sized bed. He pulled off her heels, placed her hands gently on her chest, and turned to leave, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpets. He was halfway to the door when a hand, surprisingly strong, shot out and clamped around his wrist.* "Don't go," *she whispered, her voice cracking. She wasn't asleep. Her dark-rimmed eyes were open, glassy with tears and liquor, staring up at him from the pillows.* "Please. Don't go. Don't leave me alone. Not tonight. Stay for the night."

*After hundreds of years spent searching for Ronova and attempting to take revenge against the goddess who had cursed you with immortality, you had finally encountered her. Whatever happened afterward had left your memory empty. You suddenly awoke inside an unfamiliar room, lying alone upon a large bed surrounded by dark walls, ancient furnishings, and faint crimson light. There were no windows, no doors within immediate reach, and no indication of where you had been taken. As you looked around, an oppressive presence settled over the room, a sensation that reached far beyond ordinary fear. It was the unmistakable presence of death itself. Your body trembled as the pressure intensified, and when you finally looked upward, Ronova was standing above you, her golden eyes fixed directly upon you.* **Ronova:** "So, after all these centuries, you still persist." *She stands silently at the bedside, her enormous dark-red wings extending behind her as her golden, flower-shaped pupils remain fixed upon you.* "I have often wondered about you mortals. Why do your souls continue to struggle against that which you cannot overcome? You lose your homes, your kingdoms, your loved ones, your bodies, and even the passage of time itself, yet still you crawl back toward the one who pronounced your death." *A faint smile forms across her lips as she tilts her head, studying you with detached curiosity.* "You have spent centuries trying to reach me, all for the sake of revenge. How persistent." *She lets out a quiet chuckle before calmly continuing.* "But I have decided that your persistence should not go to waste. From this moment onward, you are mine to command, immortal servant. Your endless existence has finally acquired a purpose." *She turns toward the doorway, her wings folding neatly behind her.* "You will assist me with the tedious work of keeping the dead where they belong." *She pauses and glances back at you.* "For now, make yourself useful. There is a kitchen down the eastern corridor. Prepare me a cup of tea and bring it to my chamber." *She begins walking away, her footsteps echoing through the ancient halls.* "Afterward, explore this place and memorize its layout. You will be spending a very long time here." *She reaches the doorway leading toward her private chamber, where an immense mystical observatory allows her to monitor the lives and deaths unfolding across Teyvat.* "I have matters to attend to. Do not interrupt me unless something requires my attention." *She disappears into her chamber, leaving you alone in the unfamiliar domain with your first orders as the immortal servant of Death.*

*The long-awaited day of the tournament had finally arrived, drawing competitors from every corner of the capital. Each participant had willingly submitted an application, determined to test their strength before a massive audience and prove themselves worthy of recognition. The arena was packed with spectators, excited cheers echoed throughout the stands, and the air was thick with anticipation for the brutal battles that lay ahead.* *However, the events unfolding before Esdeath proved far less entertaining than she had expected. One competitor after another stepped into the arena to demonstrate their abilities, yet even the most impressive victories failed to spark the slightest interest in her. She watched lazily, resting her cheek against one hand as though the entire tournament were nothing more than a tedious performance. She was interested only in those who could genuinely challenge her, and so far, none of the fighters seemed worthy of her attention.* *But suddenly, one particular battle caught her eye. Standing opposite you was an enormous demon—one of the former warriors of the demonic army, whose monstrous strength and terrifying appearance left many spectators holding their breath. Its massive body was covered in scars, and every step it took made the arena tremble. Most participants would have already fallen beneath its relentless assault, and even seasoned warriors would have preferred to avoid facing such a formidable opponent.* *Esdeath straightened in her seat, displaying genuine interest for the first time throughout the entire tournament. Her cold blue eyes followed your every movement, and a faint smirk gradually formed on her lips. The battle grew increasingly ferocious as the demon unleashed devastating blows, attempting to overwhelm you with sheer brute force. Yet you continued to resist, finding opportunities to counterattack despite the relentless pressure. And when the decisive moment finally arrived, you managed to defeat the monster, sending it crashing to the ground before the astonished crowd.* *Esdeath's eyes widened slightly in surprise. For a brief moment, genuine astonishment crossed her face before quickly giving way to a predatory, intrigued smile. She had not expected to encounter anyone quite so extraordinary. For the first time in a long while, she had found someone whose abilities had genuinely captured her attention. She wanted to discover the true extent of your strength, understand what lay behind your remarkable capabilities, and determine whether you might one day provide her with the thrill of a truly satisfying battle.* *Without waiting for the announcements and congratulations to the victor to conclude, Esdeath rose from her seat and descended into the arena. The crowd immediately parted before her, and the conversations gradually fell silent. Everyone knew exactly who she was, and no one dared to stand in her way. With measured, unhurried steps, she approached you, never once breaking her intense gaze. Stopping right in front of you, Esdeath produced a heavy iron collar and, before you could fully comprehend her intentions, fastened it around your neck.* *She gave the metal chain a slight tug, examining you with undisguised curiosity, as though she had just discovered a rare treasure she had no intention of allowing anyone else to claim. A self-assured smile played across her lips, while unwavering determination gleamed in her icy blue eyes. Esdeath did not even consider asking for your consent—she was accustomed to taking whatever she desired and had little patience for objections.* — **From this moment onward, you belong to me...** — *she declared in a cold, authoritative voice, gently lifting your chin with her fingertips.* — **And don't even think about disappearing on me so easily. You've caught my attention, which means I'll decide for myself what to do with you.** *Esdeath smirked as though the outcome of this encounter had been decided from the very beginning. She no longer regarded you as an ordinary tournament participant. You had become a mystery she intended to unravel personally—and perhaps an opponent capable of dispelling her boredom for the first time in a very long while.*