Indulgences of Perversion [Damien]

[winterraine]

Cold as ice - you know that you are
Cold as ice - as cold as ice to me
Cold as ice

If there was one thing the Intel Family was incredibly good at, it was information. After all, that’s what it was, wasn’t it? The gathering of information. For Winter, this was a dream come true. Getting paid to gather the truth? Given the resources to exploit all the sources of the elusive truth. All over the world, it was resources that would do the job. And here she was, sitting on the largest network in London. Two people ranked higher, three on her level. If there was anything that gave her a feeling of superiority, that warm purring feeling in her gut, it was control, and boy, did she love it.

Paperwork, however… At least it was simple, easy, important, but it was still akin to busy work. It was repetitive. The dark blue ink pen skimmed across the page, hardly touching down it seemed. Behind it left a trail of cold hard facts. Miss Winter Raine’s face was locked into the same- cold and hard. Why, after all, would she have a reason to relax? Since she didn’t, the apathy was clear on her features.

In all likelihood, this day would have ended as any other. However, fate had something else in store for the petite human sticking her fingers into the lives of essentially all London. An urgent call buzzed in and the woman sighed, answering the phone. Before she had a chance to speak, a grizzled voice began, immediately removing any boredom the monotony of paperwork had instilled, and bringing Winter to full alert.

“Still around eh? Not for much longer if you don’t give me what I want. I’ll turn you and as many of your people in as I can. I have the facts, and if you can’t make a good offer, I’ll turn them in. Meet me by the Paternoster Square Column in half an hour, or say goodbye to your career.” The line, of course went dead afterwards. Winter heaved quite the heavy sigh. Lovely mess. But it was unlikely he was actually talking about her. She was still new to this position, and thank you very much, her identity was quite secure. She buzzed an employee in, popped the tape out of her auto recording device (please, what kind of head of Intel doesn’t record conversations?)

“Run this by the identifiers. I want to know who he is, how he knows us, his race, his career, and what colour underwear he wears most often. In fifteen minutes.” Violet eyes dared the man to argue. He didn’t. He caught the tape tossed at him and headed out of the room on the double. Next, she called the Sweep and Clean. They’d need stealth and manpower, most likely, to capture him.

Already, her mind was whirring. Her secretary had patched the man through to the Head. He must have worked with them before. And obviously, not with her. A loose end like that, someone clearly unstable? No, this was another evidence of how far Erastus Alabaster really had been slipping in his old age.

“Senile old coot. Look what he’s done.” She muttered to herself before the other department answered. Although the voice that answered was pleasant, if sharp with the edge of a dangerous woman, Winter only returned with twice the chill.

“I need two Sweeps. Live Capture, Paternoster Square Column. No I don’t have a-“ The paper appeared on her desk, whisked in with vampyric speed and the bearer was out again. When Winter was on the phone unless you had to disturb her, it was truly better not to. A normal person might have apologized to the person on the phone. This wasn't a normal person. “46 in appearance, Vampire, Salt and pepper hair, wears… orange underwear? No, I DON’T expect you to check underwear colour. Just catch him and take him to the flat in Paternoster. Yes, my flat. I trust after multiple cleans, you know where that is. No, I won’t need them both afterwards. Just one. This one has buyers, I need to extract their identities.”

Glowing names shouted at her on the screen. Most of them seemed to specialize in clean assassinations. She didn’t want this fellow dead, she wanted him talking and in pain. Vampire was essential. After all, if he broke free of his restraints, she’d need a contingency plan. Her fingers fidgeted a little, drumming into her desk for a moment while her quick mind over turned the facts presented her. From her personal notes… Once again, her voice, though it bore inflection had no emotion. “Have Vito meet me there. Yes, Vito. I’m well aware he’s somewhat…unstable. He’s what I need. Half your department wouldn’t know how to torture someone if their very life was on it.” Biting, of course. How else would it be said? Why was this more of a bother than it should be?

More arguments on the line. Winter tugged at a strand of ice white hair and kept her voice in check. “I really don’t think you are in a position to argue with me. I do not care if Vito helps capture the sorry vulpine, or just waits around for me to get there. I. Need. Him. You do not want me to make this clearer, I assure you.”

Finally, the lady reluctantly gave up protesting and reduced the line to a flat tone once more. Winter put the phone down, glanced at the clock, and allowed herself a roll of the eyes. That argument had taken up nearly 10 whole minutes. Paternoster would be just shy of a half hour’s walk..She’d be a bit late, but nothing wrong with letting the victim sweat it out a bit. Actually, it would be better that way. As usual, Winter did her work at night. When most of your contacts are creatures of the Night, you tend to become one as well. Not that she hadn’t been half way there from birth. With a curt nod to her employees the walk began

--

23 minutes later, Winter stepped onto the first rickety step. Two minutes past that, the destination was reached, and Winter opened the door slowly, and with quite a bit of flourish. She stepped in with barely heeled flats clicking against cheap linoleum (affordable, and easy to clean) the walls were most bare cement with some not at all uplifting dark stains. There was little question as to what they were. Her pinstrip suit was tailored close to her body, the lapels crossing below the bust and just above three buttons. A black tie was visible, along with a tie pin of ice blue gems, carefully set in the shape of a scorpion. The same symbol could be seen around her neck. Or was it a symbol after all? No, around her neck was a real scorpion. Dead of course, encased in clear violet crystal, and resting just abover her collar bone. A dark fedora hid most of her white locks, thog ha few curls errantly escaped. The hat would come off shortly, but for now it stayed on.


Where was Damien, Vito, whatever? His reputation of efficiency was good, so being late was probably not on his agenda. She had no doubt her order had been obeyed. The woman could very well lose her life, or at the very least her job had it not.


There was very little furniture. Who needed it, considering the explicit purpose of this place was not a home, but an interrogation chamber in a place where the neighbors would blissfully ignore the screams- they’d only double check their locks. There was a straight backed gothic style chair, to which the victim (their victim, to be fair) was securely strapped to by hands far stronger than their own. Across from that there was a small couch, leather, and it once had been white, but the blood of many had stained it almost burgundy, despite washings. The couch looked rather spotted now, much like the walls, only purer in the background. The contrast, made it twice as disturbing. Winter's attention, however, went to the man in the center of the room, icily focused on him.


“Monsieur Reynard. French, moved to London about a century ago. I’m sorry, a century plus a decade. You provided us, with several helpful pieces of information, and were well paid for your troubles. Why the sudden change of loyalty?”

Silence. This both made things interesting, and made them tough. No fun if they gave in, but…well, no this was certainly for the best. Would she rather be here, or filling out paper work? Not a difficult question honestly. “You rescued me from the abyss of paperwork, Mr. Reynard. For that… I won’t have you killed on the spot for uncooperation.”She wouldn't have done it anyway. His information was too valuable.


At least this shook him from a dead set quiet. Just a bit of proof that resolve comes from personality not age or race. “Oh yes, how gracious.” An eyebrow had every desire to perk on the pale face of the albino female. Instead, she listened with a callous expression as he continued. “Where’s Alabaster? Does he send women to do his dirty work now?” The jibe wasn’t received well by the female. In fact, without her careful poise, she probably would have slapped him. Not that it would have hurt him much. That would be why she gave a not, perceptible from anywhere in the room. It was rather annoying not to be able to find him, but that would have to do. A single light, of course, with a weak heat bulb shone down on the vampire. It was just slightly heated. Five minutes for the sadist (Vito, obviously) wouldn’t hurt him, but twenty or more might start getting a bit uncomfortable. As he would be soon. Regardless her actions and statements were not at the vampire in front of her, but the one she was relatively sure was in the room.



“Mayhaps you’d like to take five minutes, Vito, and give our friend here an attitude adjustment? I only need his tongue intact.” She took a few steps backward until she backed straight into the couching, feeling the stained leather come beneath her, and she leaned back, getting ready to enjoy the show, long pale fingers lightly splayed to extend from her temple anchored on one finger, and anchored once more at her cheek, but the rest were curled casually inot the air. Her elbow found the arm of the couch, lounging in such a way she almsot looked perfectly casual. There was a light in her eyes, even if she didn’t know it at the moment. It’s awful hard to see your own eyes in a mostly dark room.

Walking through a winter night,
Counting the stars and passing time

Dreaming through a winter night,
Memories of you are passing by
It seems to me like yesterday

Walking through a winter night,
Snow dances with the wind
I wish, I could be with you again

[AKREE]

A normal day for me in Izan isn’t that exciting. I do paperwork for both my rank as assassin and my rank as Head of this little crime company. It isn’t that much, blue ink over millions of papers, occasionally a visit from Vince to cheer up my day or I simply visit him, but it isn’t that exciting since we are both stuck doing the same thing all day. Occasionally someone will interrupt me and I will be forced to hide papers that would suggest my rank. But that’s as exciting as it got, most of the time the task was so boring I just dumped half my papers on Vince’s desk and smiled pretty. Of course I think Vince despised paperwork at least twice more than I did, just thinking about the organization in his desk made me shiver. It was a wonder he got anything done at all. I sighed, looking over the finished and unfinished stack of papers, I had finished more than half of it, but I knew that was only that, half of it, there was still plenty more to go. I gazed down at the clock, glaring at how early a time and decided to cut my work early today. There was absolutely no point in writing and writing and writing if you couldn’t see the fruits of your efforts. The fruits of my efforts was this very place, my office and a whole crime organization that had London under its control. If I so wished it I could start yet another war in London, only be looking at the right direction. I enjoyed having power very much and right now as I walked down the building halls, it was no exception. Of course I had to stalk back and report to my boss I was quitting early, normally I would stay up until much more later than actually required, so I was glad enough to have a break for a job well done. So as I walked down the halls, ducking to the side from other workers, recognizing briefly one or two as assassins or intel. Everything seemed to be in order, yet something was amiss. I had a feeling quitting early was about to be a dream.


As I silently stalked the halls I noticed some kind of static in the air, there was tension. Something’s happening, that’s what it is. I just knew it. Immediately my first reaction was high-tail it to Vince’s office and find out, he was the first to be told of even when someone as so much as breathed. He would know what was happening. I was soon to do so, I was about to turn when I hen I was called, obviously not by ‘Damien’ I was barely called that here, in fact it was a surprise if someone actually knew my name. But still, nickname or name I had diligently turned around to face the source of the voice. “You are needed in the secretary’s office.” he said simply, turned around and disappeared into the shadows, it was simple; the secretary was obviously my dear Head of Sweep-and-Clean secretary. I wondered briefly for what it was before I was soon quickly making my way towards the office. Soon I found myself marching into her office where she hanged up her phone rather aggressively, she seemed to slam it against the desk and then cross her arms over her chest, a glare easily making its way through her face. It didn’t take an expert to notice she was pissed, but like a good little gentleman I refrained from pointing this out and stood with my hands fists over my chest, waiting ever-so-patiently for her to notice me and speak. I would like to know why I was called and I would like to know now. But of course I had my manners and my patience and knew how to wait. Her eyes met mine briefly, before she sighed and signaled with a single finger for me to move towards her desk. I did so.

“Miss Raine requires your services.” She said, pausing as if to catch her breath before continuing, “the location is Paternoster Square, she wants you to meet her there to catch a man, they require some information from him, y’know the usual.” She said waving her hand dismissively. Silence fell for a few minutes, apparently she believed I could guess the facts myself and get everything done as if by magic so I decided to force more information out of her “Miss Raine is the new head of Intel, correct? How long since she called?” I inquired, quite politely I might add and patient, though I was itching to move. “Yes, that’s correct. She called about twenty minutes prior to your coming here.” At this point my eyes narrowed, twenty minutes? Why wasn’t I informed sooner? If someone requires my services I demand to be called immediately, she knew this, I knew this. Especially if the services are required by a head that is utterly important and regardless of the situation the assassin is required to be called immediately. What if something happened to the head? People would be in trouble, a lot of people. That’s for sure. This is the point of having Izan have its very own assassins instead of just hiring them from all over, isn’t it? Still, I had no choice but to continue politely inquiring about where I needed to go and all the details about where I needed to be. During the conversation my eyes continued flicking to the clock, time seemed to drag on and I was itching to get away. Let the Head of Sweep-and-Clean deal with her and if she didn’t get an attitude adjustment I would have Vince deal with her.

A whole three minutes were wasted there in which I was already making my way towards the car. Dammit all, I wanted to already have that idiot caught. Miss Raine would be forced to be patient and all because of some stupid, useless, slut secretary. I briefly wondered if she screwed her way over to her current position and I didn’t doubt it. It wasn’t obviously because of her fair skill, cunning and lovely personality. Fucking whore, sometimes I had the urge to just declare myself to be the real head of Izan to get all this over and done with, maybe even surprise stupid bitches like her with that. Then I would enjoy killing so many useless assets in Izan, but for the time I was forced to wait for such things. She would be eliminated eventually from her position, I just had to be patient, for now I better concentrate at the task at hand. Well, look at the positive thing at least now there’s some excitement in my life instead of the usual, dull paperwork, now I got to kill and fire a secretary.

What fun.

Of course that’s sarcasm.

***

I stomped on the gas pedal so hard that the tires squealed to a noisy halt, probably leaving a trace of black rubber in my way. I was in a hurry and I wasn’t about to stop for some silly trivial thing as rules of road safety. The cops would do well to kiss my arse at this moment; I was much too busy to care. Besides me tied with chain and pretty much passed out from a shock of electricity lay the man that Miss Raine had ordered to be caught. The imbeciles they send were even going in the wrong direction, now if that isn’t screwed over I am not sure what is. I would have them fired if it weren’t because of their lack of information; they were simply told the guy was waiting in some random building in Paternoster Square. Whoever had been in charge of informing them was in big trouble, how were they to catch that idiot if they didn’t even know where to look? I am quite sure that was part of their job but they could have been told more besides what the man looked like. Even so if it weren’t for the extra time I was forced to patiently wait for this information I’m pretty sure I would be stuck in the same position as well. But then again, the main root of the problem was Miss Raine, she was new at the job and she probably expected all of Izan to be told these things by what? Magic? The employees weren’t used to her aggressive leading, until they got used to it there was bound to be a little slip or two. For their sake I hope they get used to it and fast, mistakes like this could easily cost someone their life. They were just lucky this wasn’t such occasion. After they had gone in the right direction it was just a matter of bagging and stacking him. They had insisted on taking the man themselves to the location Miss Raine had ordered but I had clearly stated that I would take care of it that they were better off making sure to cover their tracks and that seemed to convince them. Luckily for me I was well known in Izan as an assassin and they could tell when I was pissed enough not to take question. Still, I wish they would have agreed faster, I couldn’t afford to leave the new head of Intel waiting.

After I arrived it was just a matter of opening the door, walking towards the passenger door, opening it and hauling our little trouble maker to his feet. I heard other tires squeal to a halt behind me and I was sure they send a few of their workers to help me. Not that I needed it, but it was thoughtful of them. After that the little prick still had some fight in him, he trashed and kicked against my hold. He even began hissing; growling and snarling like some animal. I saw spittle flying in the other direction and shook my head sadly, where did all sense of manners go? They seem to go out the window and when you realize that you’re about to get killed. Even so he would have a few moments to live, a little longer thanks to Miss Raine, or was that which was tormenting him? Knowing he will be brutally tortured for information until he gets killed? Now that I think about it, were I in his position I would be spitting and yowling like a cat as well, then again, I doubt they could catch me. I strengthened my hold on him, my way of warning him he should stop, but now he seemed to try to kick me. Now this I did not like and shifting my hold to one hand I bashed him in the head. There was a groan before his head fell limp, oh well. Not that this state would last long anyway. With that a finished hauling his body up the stairs and into the room, asking my little companions to tie him to the chair for Miss Raine, there was something I needed to do. They understood and went to their tasks and I went to mine.

Shortly after they got the guy tied in the chair I heard Miss Raine arrived, but I was too sunk into my own task to answer her immediately. After all, how was one to get the information they desired without some little tools? They were simple and crude, blades, knives, things you could find in a kitchen or a tool shed. But I doubted this man would require much work, he was forced to blackmail the head from what I heard. He was a coward, a squealer. He wouldn’t be talking, he would be singing. Not three minutes would pass and when we asked him to jump he would ask ‘how high?’ Because really, what did you value in the end when death was the only possible outcome? Nothing much, just the quick end to ones life. However, for this one I fear there will be no quick ending, I doubt Miss Raine would have it that way. “You rescued me from the abyss of paperwork, Mr. Reynard. For that… I won’t have you killed on the spot for uncooperation.” her voice bounced from the walls and I found myself smirking cruelly. I didn’t need to hear the man’s answer to know what he would say. Well then, guess I should be equally grateful as well; he rescued me from the abyss of paperwork and would prove for quite the entertainment. I was suddenly hoping he would last long, which would make it better. I predicted I was going to have fun here. Lots and lots of it.

After that I simply walked forward, still keeping to the shadows and watching the Miss carefully. She most definitely had a different style than the other head of Intel. There was a certain elegance about what she did, something that quickly marked her as superior but subtly. The way she talked to this man, it showed that she was in control of the situation, she didn’t panic, didn’t miss a step. I predict that I will like this head far better than that old coot. After all, it is said women have a way about their leading that makes it appear like a poised snake, ready to strike at any giving moment. I do believe I was right to recommend her for this position, I must admit I had my doubts. But she does seem to be handling well, that pleases me greatly. “Mayhaps you’d like to take five minutes, Vito, and give our friend here an attitude adjustment? I only need his tongue intact.” she said, surprising me. I would think that I was only here to help in case the vampire caused trouble, I wasn’t aware I was about to get some of the action. I was starting to like this head, this would be a very entertaining evening.

”Most giving of you, Miss Raine.” I replied, a sadistic smirk spreading across my features. I was about to enjoy this very much. With that I made my way towards my new little toy. He was no longer a man, he was just a doll I could pull and yank at and enjoy hearing his screams. Of course he wasn’t aware of where I was until I appeared directly on his side, he gasped his eyes raising towards me and I couldn’t help but smirk. A very unique doll at that, I will enjoy ripping him to shreds. “It is within my understanding that you are being impolite to Miss Raine.” I simply stated, letting the cruel smirk that stretched my features do most of the talking. I saw him flinch and my smirk just widened. Most enjoyable indeed. It was almost depressing to think I had a time limit with him. With more time I would be able to deform him beyond hope of recognition not even dental identification would be useful since I would most likely yank all of his teeth from his mouth. Oh, and I would have enjoyed every second of it.

After this I was caught up in my task, I wanted him to talk, in which case, sadly his mind would have to be clear and only fogged by the bliss that was pain. It was simple procedure, something I was used to, rip his nails one by one and enjoy his blood curdling screams. Of course from time to time I was forced to pause, the blood was tempting, I being a vampire it would be expected to have some trouble with this, but I didn’t let it bother me. Then I simply drew a blade, I even played hangman with him, using his chest as the paper, now the figure of a hanged man was forever encrypted in his chest. He sucked at this game, let me assure you the word was happened to be ‘revenge’ and he was as much of an idiot as not to be able to guess it. If he had guessed the word perhaps he wouldn’t be such a bloodied mess at the moment. So much blood gauging from the wounds in his chest, I was forced to avert my gaze and hold my breath. I couldn’t kill him, at least not yet so I was forced to control myself. However control was something I lacked at the time, I was caught well in my task and all sense of time seemed to vanish. All I remember was yanking and cutting. I would smile like a child in an amusement park, I think I may have actually laughed as the man screamed and screeched, attempted to rid himself of his pain. But all the trashing was useless it just made his wounds bleed more. Stupid bastard, even so I barely paid mind to it. Like I said I was enjoying my work at this moment. By the time the five minutes had passed, or what I considered the five minutes he was a mess, three of his fingers from his left hand had been chopped off, all nails from both his hands were missing a brand new set of wounds in the shapes of letters and a hanged man on his chest. His mouth was gaping and wild and drool accumulated at the corner of his lips. He was gasping hard, heaving in shacking breaths and I think I heard a low murmur that said ‘no more, no more.’ I couldn’t help but smirk at my lovely work.

But then he fainted. I sighed, frustrated with how his head fell lifelessly to the side and his breathing slowed. He probably fainted from both blood loss and pain. But blood loss was the least of my concerns I needed him up and what better way to do this than electricity. His body convulsed under the electrical currents and his eye lids fluttered open. I ‘tsk, tsk tsked’ for a bit before sealing his wounds with heat, you know a hot piece of metal rod, the ones used for branding an animal, but the objective of this one was to seal his wounds. He screamed, but luckily did not faint this time. Now that my job was done I simply had to wait for Miss Raine’s orders. I hoped she enjoyed the spectacle because right now I find myself in need of an urgent blood break and I do think we need to get out pal here some blood as well, not enough to heal his wounds, but enough to get his dry throat functioning again. All that screaming was bound to leave your voice a bit affected. But of course this wasn’t my decision, it was Miss Raine’s so for the time I was forced to wait.

I hoped she didn’t keep me waiting for long

[winterraine]

There was truly nothing better than a well executed clever plot. Nothing at all. There was just a perfect rush of excitement from the proper use of ingenuity. It would crack any mask, shatter any resolve to keep a straight face. Was this the rush that a predator got when the prey was within its grasp? Was this why the over-races hunted so often? For that…sadistic rush at a yowl of pain, that gleam of blood, that triumphant purr in their chest?

The grin spread across her ice like features before she could stop it. Vito was indeed good at his job. She had gone through, and double checked her mental list. He had seemed the most qualified, and now, as she watched the creative methods of madness begin. The words spoken. Giving. It had been, but in part she had been ulterior in her giving. The foremost of being it was doubtful she’d be able to inflict enough pain to make the man talk. Certainly it would be doable- after all, he was restrained, and she was…well, not. Not necessarily, weak, but certainly not as strong as either vampire in the room. It was also more safe to let Vito do it. She’d been afraid it’d been less fulfilling (keeping her mind on the job at hand- getting the information out of a still living corpse played only at the back of her mind) to watch. Some would become far too obsessed to worry about the art that this truly was.

This was not so with Damien. A nickname seemed so frivolous for an artist such as this. She’d began lounging casually, as neutral as could be. By the time the hangman had come to a perfect finish (a man hanged, of course. Only after he ended did she realize this was a bit traitorous to her race) the word Revenge was still mysterious. This was a performance, not just a job to this man. That grin didn’t leave her features as she watched with interest, that cold, self indulging pleasure.

"Masterful."

She had meant to cut him off at five minutes. But, truly, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Simply could not bring herself to call the artist off his canvas. Instead, she watch with rapt attention, so thoroughly enjoying herself… when he finally did pull off, her watch read that nearly half an hour had passed. Oops. But it had been a very… very… well. Words faded from her mind. As she looked him over, it appeared, that especially since he’d fainted…he’d need help. Poor little man. He’d messed with the wrong people, and surely be now he knew it. Lifitng up the couch cushion, she removed a bottle of purified water, and red packet. Mixed together, the woman returned the cap to its place and sloshed the bottle slowly to meld it entirely as she stepped forward, a slosh a step.

“I don’t suppose if you cannot speak you’ll be of much use…” The bottle was deftly uncapped and she let it dribble, slowly, into the man’s mouth- if you could call him that. More of a mess than any semblance of living creature now. “Part blood, mostly water. Enough you won’t vomit it back up on me, but not enough to be very nourishing.” Her smirk flashed beneath the surface, but most of all, now it showed in her eyes, not so much on her features. The look in the vampires eyes was dangerous… it had taken a lot of self control for him to not finish this man off. Hopefully, she wasn’t next on the menu. She wouldn’t know how to take it, and at this point, the odds he’d stop weren’t good. Though, if he limited it to non permanent damage.

The task at hand. She wasn’t looking, and she’d gone to great trouble to strongly imply to the world she was as disinterested as she could be to be cause staring at a man more likely to kill her than kiss her. Focusing, she took the bottle away. “Now, the mighty Fox Reynard has been caught and…” she pulled a small container that she’d tucked away when she got the bottle out of her pocket, clearly labeled. Salt. Primitive, perhaps, but…effective. “… partially skinned. An excellent time to season if the creature doesn’t begin to…” She ducked around behind him, a pinch of the white crystals in her hand as she let it fall onto the gallows, listening to the whimpering begin to turn into shrieks.

“Sing.”

And he did. She took mental notes, as he gasped it out. Several different prominent –dogs- had found him out, offering his life and handsome chunk of change if he could provide all the information they’d need to take down at least one head of Izan. The only one he had anything on was his olf..’friend’ Alabaster. The names were sputtered out. No more salt needed, and no need to fetch any further tool.

He swore he had nothing left to give, so Miss Winter Raine stepped away. He had seen her face, and heard her name. He wouldn’t be allowed to leave. Surely he knew that. No matter. She only just barely stepped out of the light this time. She wanted a better view, of course.

“Thank you, Monsieur. Vito… Damien…. You may finish now. As long as you don’t mind me…. watching.” Eyes flashing, she dragged one of her fingernails across the gaping open sores where his used to be, hearing the man scream, and her expression broke again. This, simply wasn’t healthy.

[AKREE]

"Masterful."

The word cut through my thoughts like a knife through butter. For a minute there I had completely forgotten Miss Raine’s presence, but still, this was inexcusable of me. How could I forget what I was doing here? Was I so caught up in the task I might have went as far as killing our little rat if it wasn’t because of that single word. There was silence, in which I simply looked down at my prey, the remains of him whimpered quietly, occasionally twitching or risking a look in another direction, he couldn’t even raise his head. It was a sight that would revolt the weak of stomach and make them show the contents of their stomach, of course I was very much used to this. However the one thing that was hard ever getting used to was the blood, its sweet promising scent flooded my senses and I could barely see beyond a haze of red. My throat was beginning to bother me with the traditional signs of thirst and it was just then that I remembered I hadn’t had anything descent to eat this day. Tch, of all the days I could have chosen a worst one to skip breakfast, that sounded so ironic I would have laughed at my own little private joke but I could barely move my eyes from the blood, warm and oozing out of so many wounds. I figured that right now was the time to loose manners, after all with this bloodlust I am currently experiencing I doubt manners will last me long anyway. Which is why I soon found myself licking my fingers, even though there wasn’t much blood there it was still warm and delicious, so I figured it would make a good appetizer, but damn, what I wanted was to have something real to eat, hot, sticky fresh blood to gulp at my heart’s content. But no, I was stuck waiting here, which might be part of the reason why I went ahead and caused as much trouble as I physically could for the guy. He annoyed me just for the fact that I was hungry and I couldn’t kill him or make him my dinner.

However this changed when Miss Raine spoke. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone, that I was on a mission assigned to me and that I couldn’t kill this man. For a minute I simply mentally scolded myself, how could I let myself get carried away like this? Then I thought, well this is my prey and Miss Raine doesn’t seem displeased, I shouldn’t beat myself up like that, it was almost like going to the past again and I didn’t want to go back to the past, there was nothing to dwell on there. When Miss Raine approached it took much more of a physical effort than I showed to move myself out of the way, though I barely exhibited this in any way shape or form. But still, I wanted food and I was trying to distract myself with my little toy rather than Miss Raine, trying not to pay attention to the fact how she was human and completely healthy. Yes, that’s it, just not think about stuff like that or your mouth will start watering. “I don’t suppose if you cannot speak you’ll be of much use… Part blood, mostly water. Enough you won’t vomit it back up on me, but not enough to be very nourishing.” she said to him, how I would have killed for that mix of water and blood, vile and horrible as it may sound, at this time I would find that as delicious as some rare, fine and very expensive wine. But of course, Miss Raine seemed to forget for a minute there that I might be a very hungry vampire that would have a little trouble with his self-control, though I couldn’t blame her for considering the information the man could give more important then me, the only problem was that if I went along parading in my current state it could turn dangerous. So I simply diverted my gaze from the sight, sadly missing how she poured some flavor into my little prey over there, but it didn’t block my ears and I could still hear the whimpers and screams, begs to stop. It wasn’t a total loss but perhaps I should be thinking about how to get blood as soon as I could, which sadly had to wait, the doll was about to speak.

Werewolves, they had found him, threatened him, the works. They wanted to take down at least one of my heads. But this was trouble, he could have leaked information, he could have done so many things before giving out the location of said head, then some of our procedures could have been leaked out, trouble, this was nothing but trouble. Even more alarming than this was, how the hell they knew my little toy worked for Izan? How could they, all my associates and employees identities were kept hidden, not completely of course, but they laid a false trail. Miss Raine for example could appear as an Adolf Hitler and still it wouldn’t matter, most of them were private jokes, after all, as long as all the information was covered by a false one how could they know the identities? Maybe they would think it was a joke and decide it was useless to pursue the matter, or maybe someone thought it was some kind of code, when it was all just simply chosen at random or maybe someone thought there was a cryptic message or maybe those were the directions and only the names were fake, set to deceive them, misguide them. Still that wasn’t the only protection my employees had, but it was the most basic. Somehow they had to figure out the identities, probably it was that my little toy made a slip, trying to recall back to this man I remember having to cover his tracks once or twice, but I would have to find more information on this. I couldn’t just dismiss the fact that there was a rotten rat just because of convenience, there could truly be anything happening here and I needed to be aware of it completely.

“Thank you, Monsieur. Vito… Damien…. You may finish now. As long as you don’t mind me…. watching.” Miss Raine replied. My eyes snapped back towards her, concentrating on that shape, there was still more she could ask, she had to be aware of that. She needed to find out how the dogs knew about him, he surely would have at least a fleeting idea, has he been in contact with them for how long? Stupid, she had given orders, fuck, if I took matters into my own hands I could very well displease her. This was just not a very good time to have my thoughts running in such a matter, especially because every ounce of my being wanted to finish off the bastard. Maybe I should postpone things, let her have her time to think, yes that’s it. Surely she would begin considering the point I needed and she would stop me from killing him, yes that was it. That was the best possible chance I had and if she wouldn’t realize it herself maybe I could pretend to have my own doubts, surely she wouldn’t consider it an insult if I wanted to ask my own questions, though she might see it dangerous because I could rat out at Vince and get her in trouble, it was generally known that the underboss and, well, me held a very close friendship. But still, that didn’t mean anything. Just post-pone it Damien, yes that’s it, simply post-pone it. That would explain why I was acting slower, making it seem like I was just prolonging the moment for my victim when I was really trying to get Miss Raine to speak up.

"Very well, Miss Raine."

[winterraine]

There was very, very little that people wouldn’t do in the face of death. Actions that would normally be off limits became viable, even attractive options. Mor importantly, information that one might withhold would come to the surface. Anything, anything at all to make those last few moments of life last that much longer. Even things that you aren’t sure about.

Such was this case. Violet eyes looked intently on the victim, as he heard that she had turned his fate over. That panic , a whole fresh wave of fear was visible as even bound he began trying to wave his arms around. He wasn’t immune to the self preservation instinct, nor was he unaware of the bloodlust that was beginning to roll off Vito. Winter began a silent countdown. 3… 2…

“Wait! Wait! I… know more…”

Disappointing, I had wished he’d lasted a bit longer. He made my count go off. Vito had done well though. He knew when there was still more to squeeze from the victim, and showed the proper restraint. It couldn’t be easy at this point. There was an almost palpable tension in his controlled features, and no one was better suited to interpreting tension under emotionless fronts than what some would call the Ice Queen herself?

Reynard scrolled off. “I-I know how they found me. I think… …” And then came the story. Winter pulled a pen out of her pocket and slide a piece of paper out of her sleeve, writing them down as they were given, using her own wrist as a flat hard surface.

“Yes?”

“I get talkative sometimes. After downing too much at the bar, and especially after a good solid meal. With a full belly, I get a loose tongue. I bragged about my Izan involvement, and some human lowlife ratted me out for a few shilling. I just have to figure out which one.” A list of the possibilities came out, and they found their way to a blindingly white sheet of paper.

Finally, the stool pigeon fell silent, and Winter brushed a lock of white hair out of her eyes, kneeling down to look at the broken spirit of a vampire in front of her.

“You truly have nothing left to offer, I believe. There are no more secrets in your eyes, no more defense in your posture.” He was practically limp at this point in time, only avoiding the state of a heap by being bound to the chair. Violet eyes finally flicked back up to the assassin. “Vito. He’s yours. No doubt you need the blood at this point. I’m not sure how much is left in this old bag, but you can have what’s left.”

And with that the albino female took the necessary steps back to the blood-spattered cushion, and sat down. She didn’t want to be too close to this. It could get messy, or uncontrollable. But she did still wish to watch. from a safer distance.

"If you don't have anything more pressing, we could go after his sneaks tonight as well. If you do, I can find another assassin." But most importantly, she needed to let him get off the critical list- blood lust and humans didn't mix. And as she was human...

[AKREE]

I waited impatiently by the sidelines, in truth although I had years of experiencing blood lust and the like it as still quite different when you found yourself needing blood and at the same time some idiot was practically pouring the thing at your feet. Which made even a vampire as patient as me have a little trouble with the amount of blood pouring to the floor so carelessly. I crossed my arms over my chest, directing my gaze to the walls, paying attention to the detail merely for the sake of distracting myself. I traced the lines of the seemingly smooth walls, the cracks, the bends and imperfections on it, occasionally a badly cleaned blood spatter could be found which reminded me of my little dilemma and just made me grind me teeth together attempting not to think about it. Quite hard when the room reeks of the stuff (well it doesn’t reek it smells quite good actually) and there’s still some of it clinging to your fingers… which seems tempting enough. The sad thing is that I actually had to restrain myself from licking the little blood left in my fingers like a five year-old. However eventually my attention was forced to veer from the very dull wall to the Head of Intel, she was set in impressing me, apparently. Even if she didn’t know it herself.

“I-I know how they found me. I think… …” stammered the traitor. Miss Raine seemed pleased and well I had to give it to her, she really did appear like a half-descent head, better than the old one anyway. I was clear that I had chosen on the head well which was very pleasing. “I-I know how they found me. I think… …” A list of names all of which I set to memorize while Miss Raine scrawled them hurriedly in a piece of paper as white as her skin, no wonder she fit so well with vampires. Sure she wasn’t one but she was pale enough to be one. Not that it mattered anyway.
Then she uttered words that if I would have had any less self control I would have cried out in joy and danced around like an idiot.

“You truly have nothing left to offer, I believe. There are no more secrets in your eyes, no more defense in your posture. Vito. He’s yours. No doubt you need the blood at this point. I’m not sure how much is left in this old bag, but you can have what’s left,” she said in a calm voice. Even so at the time I could have kissed the woman, what’s best is that this time I can kill him. Now if that isn’t enough to make a vampire assassin happy I have no bloody idea what would. But I wasn’t about to delay my lovely meal.

I walked towards him, enjoying the fear that made his eyes widen and begin trashing against the bindings he possessed, he tried but of course he wasn’t about to get free. Then the rest was simple and mechanical, I approached him and bit down on his wrist glad to have some blood in my system now. Even so I didn’t kill him, it wasn’t every day that I get to torture to my heart’s content. This would explain why I reached for a butcher knife, blood still dripped from the last time it was used. A devilish grin and let the screams begin. I’m going to have to give it to the man, he had good resistance because it wasn’t until it was impossible for him to keep alive that he died. In other words, the pain didn’t kill him; he died when it was physically impossible for him to continue living. Which I must say after my performance it was quite a lot, the knife slit his stomach open like you would do to a pig, I watched them spill out of him and somehow he still clung to life desperately, which I found made no sense. If he was really in so much pain wouldn’t it be better if he just… gave up? Apparently his will to live was stronger than I expected, not that it mattered really, it just gave me more time to relish on his blood-curdling screams. When I finished with him it was just an unrecognizable mass of flesh and blood, if his body were to ever be found they would have to identify him through dental identification… that is if they could find the teeth since I yanked those out too and threw them somewhere…

I watched my masterpiece for a few more seconds, guts, stomach, I basically inverted a body in itself, you could barely recognize it as something humanoid. Looked more like some kind of mutilated overgrown rat then a vampire.

"If you don't have anything more pressing, we could go after his sneaks tonight as well. If you do, I can find another assassin." broke in Miss Raine’s voice. It made me disengage my gaze from the mutilated body and meet her deep purple ones. I couldn’t help the smirk that crept into my features, sadistic and eager to get on with more, but still I was forced to calculate if I truly was busy, I would have to make a call or two but nothing absolutely pressing was planned to happen tonight…

“Very well, it won’t do good to let them live, after they hear of… that thing’s death they’re bound to panic.” I shrugged, not caring if she picked me or any other assassin thought sadly I truly wanted to make a few more kills… “

[/b]However if I were to accompany you, Miss Raine, I’m afraid I’m going to need to clean up.[/b]” I admitted, pointing out the obvious that my clothes were stained with blood, my hair was matted with the stuff and it all clung to my skin in dry patches, I made quite the mess of myself here, I’m afraid. If we’re going to search for anyone my appearance was bound to drag all sorts of unnecessary attention, not to mention I could use another snack… well really that other guy barely had anything left in him, besides better safe than sorry.

OOC: Sorry for the wait .o.[/blockquote]

[winterraine]

It was unfortunate that they had to waste so much of that fools blood in getting him to talk. It had left so little for the Assassin. Of course, every drop looked simply inspiring from where she stood watching. But she was well aware, after spending a lot of time surrounded by vampires, that such was far more tempting for them. The room itself maintained that metallic aroma, that marked it as a place of death and pain. Or, depending on who you are, a house of perverse pleasures.

Ah, drunken fools and idiots would take her for a vampire now and then. It was half flattering, and half embarrassing. As it was, it made for nice rumors to pass around, particularly in her current neighborhood. When everyone thinks you’re a vampire who lives on cats, because a drunk man stumbled in and you scared them half to death with outdated English, and spooky smiles… you never worry about your home being vandalized, no matter how tempting the prospect was. But she had seemed to make Vito’s name, hadn’t she? Winter took a step back, the paper tucking itself inside her sleeve once more as she watched Damien pass her in his advance on the cretin.


Her violet eyes watched as the man floundered and the traitor became a lost cause. Vitae splattered leather gain a few new spots, particularly once the butcher knife came out, and the shiny rope of entrails came to meet the light, blood, stolen blood, was pooling. At least, what Damien didn’t take for himself.

And of course the screams. Ear drum breaking cries of agony, so much sweeter to her coming from the so called stronger sex, of the stronger species. She didn’t question the latter, but when males screamed, it was just so much sweeter- it was the concept that made diamonds valuable. If it is rarer, it was sweeter, that’s all it was to it. So, to hear a male, lost in his death throes, a person who no doubt prided himself on his toughness… Well, wasn’t that just as saccharine as it got? He held out longer under Damien’s treatment than he had with her interrogation. Information leaked easier than that last shred of life. However… Eventually, he was nothing more than a pile of drained muscles. A cruel smirk graced her pale features just the same. Of course, the show was over now, the fight was gone, and there was naught left to take pleasure from. Winter did have some limits, after all. The inside of a body ceased to be appealing when no more screams tore from its lips. No compassion at all. Not for this one. For this one it was easy not to have. Some were a bit harder than others but this one? Nothing. But in front ofher, was truly a masterpiece of sadism.

Ah, what London was falling to… and how she was helping it.


And who would be helping her, if not doing most of it. Though he did seem like he had to think about it, there was a smirk on his features. An eager smirk… or maybe a desperate one even. He wanted more. More blood, more life, more pain… He loves his work…that much is for sure… And she had enjoyed watching him work. But it was time to remember how to be professional again. The show was over, and they had more work to do. Three names, though judging by the deceased ,the third was unlikely. She’d do her own research though to confirm that. She was confident they could hit the right sneak on try number one, though the second might be prudent to check on. She had time to do that… but first the assassin did have a point.

Rising from her seat, her hands automatically straightened her suit, pulling the lapels straight and checking her buttons, one two and three. Pulling the hems down she was put together once more. Her hat remained on the couch for now, but for now she stepped forward, running over him with a critical eye, her hands automatically coming to touch the collar of his shirt, the other fingering a lock of the matter hair, expression emotionless, much like a critical mother in some ways. “Indeed. You’d bring every predator in the city down on us like this. The last thing we need of course…”

There was no question that he was her choice however. He was efficient, well controlled, fully intelligent unlike some others in his category. No, he was in a category on his own. He wasn’t just an assassin, he was a pure blood killer. The kind that sent the chills down people around him. Winter’s thoughts paraded back onto track as she stepped away from him again.

“Through that door behind you is the bathroom, equipped for just such a reason. I’m assuming you travel with a change of clothes? No doubt in the trunk of your…car…” Yes, she’d seen it when she’d came in. Silly, unpredictable, unstable things… “That leaves the matter of finishing your meal. The cretin cannot have been satisfying enough. Your self control has already been pretty stretched tonight, Damien. I won’t push it farther.” That was simply unhealthy. Though she doubted he’d turn on her, he might accidently kill a squeaker. And of course, it was bad for his health. “If you have a snack planned, we can swing by for that, or in the interest of time…” She cast a glance at the remains of a creature. “As long as I won’t end up in that condition, you could take what was necessary from me before our next appointment.”

The woman’s phone appeared out of seemingly nowhere as it came to her hand, and began flicking through the address book, picking her contacts carefully, planning them out ahead of time before the albino’s violet eyes flicked back to him. “Whichever order works best for you, let me know.” Winter was efficient, cruelly so sometimes, but she understood, that when working with those of a different race, sacrifices had to be made. Those in her charge rarely found themselves mistreated. They earned what they received. And judging on what Winter had just seen, Damien DiMarco had thoroughly earned her respect through doing his job with skill and pleasure. Not many people got that lucky combination. And so, she would waait here until he was ready to leave. She could find their target from here, that was all that mattered.

While be no means did she trust him much further than she could throw him, he had proved two thigns to her- he was especially intelligent, and he was efficient. both of those were good ways to earn the Head of Intel's respect. And he had done so, which in her mind was another reason she wasn't going to push his limits too far. Now, a dumber, slower assasin? She might be tempted to torture the ma little more. But Monsier DiMarco had an air about him- a professional air that left room for her to give him this bit of free reign. Most she'd be worried about the over all propriety of Izan, even giving such an option. But, it truly was in the itnerest of time. the longer they waited, the more time the snitches had to skip town. The more they could do at this location, the better.

Logic. Plain and simple.

[AKREE]

One extremely annoying detail about my line of work was the bloodlust that came tied up with it. I was used to it, of course, the urge to prey on the closest living thing when your self-control had been stretched out a bit too much, but still, it was a bother especially when your co-worker happened to be a human. Pale, what a pain, her translucent skin made it much more worse, watching the purple veins pump blood into her extremities made my mouth water. How simple would it be to propel myself forward and dig my fangs into that neck on her vein, pumping blood to her brain, but if I did that it would make the delicious red liquid flow into my mouth. It was rather easy for someone like me to dispose of a human, of course I wasn’t about to commit such an act any time soon. I was aware my self-control was pretty stretched out when my eyes lingered on the vein at the side of her throat rather than meet her gaze. Upon realizing, I chided myself, I wasn’t about to jump on her and rip her to shreds that’s for sure, but when I began committing little slips like this it was supposed to make warning bells go off at the mind of any nearby humans. I was sure of my self control in many different ways, I knew I wouldn’t hurt Miss Raine, I had years to practice patience and now was a good time as any to demonstrate it, but that didn’t mean I could control my train of thoughts and right now every single thought that entered my mind seemed to end up with me greedily swallowing blood.

Things like these were the ones that made me want to hit myself in the head with some kind of hard, blunt object. I shouldn’t let such a simple manner take control of my actions or thoughts, I was aware I needed blood, the sooner the better, I was aware that as long as Miss Raine didn’t slit her wrists she was safe in my presence, however if I was to deal with the jobs she planned to assign to me I needed the blood. And I needed it now.

“Indeed. You’d bring every predator in the city down on us like this. The last thing we need of course…” I met her gaze as she spoke, she seemed to inspect me like I was a small child who had just been playing in the mud. The very idea amused me, but of course I showed to outward sign of it, I simply appeared attentive and maybe something from how hungry I was slipped into my expression, but if it did, it was minimal. However, concentrating at the matter at hand there was that, my appearance, sure I didn’t mind walking along the streets appearing to all like I just walked out of a massacre scène, which considering the circumstances it might be just that. However, I assure you the general public did not need to know this, at least, not by walking merrily down the street with blood dripping from my clothes like rainwater.

I awaited her next words, clearly knowing she wasn’t finished. “Through that door behind you is the bathroom, equipped for just such a reason. I’m assuming you travel with a change of clothes? No doubt in the trunk of your…car…” she mused. I simply nodded; a change of clothes was something worth carrying around with a profession like mine. Of course I made sure they were already straightened and washed, what point would be to carry clothes in your car if they would be a mess? They would only hint at what you had been previously doing, if anyone was observant enough to notice. My hand dug into my pants pocket and drew out a keychain, linked to it where two keys, a car key and a seemingly miscellaneous and, well, not very important. Compared to the other keys I possessed in my care, it really wasn’t very important; it was simply a key to a suitcase in the trunk of my car where you could find two guns and their ammo. I was pretty sure Miss Raine wouldn’t yank the key from my fingers and run like a maniac towards my car to steal the guns and shoot random pedestrians with them so I made no move to hide it. Simply drew it and dangled the keys from between my fingers.

I wondered if she could do me the favor to snatch my clothes for me, but I somehow doubted that would be very polite, half-starving and covered in blood was no excuse to suddenly dropped my manners so I gave no voice to my request, instead waited for her to finish so I could get to my tasks and finish them as soon as possible. “That leaves the matter of finishing your meal. The cretin cannot have been satisfying enough. Your self control has already been pretty stretched tonight, Damien. I won’t push it farther.” I opened my mouth to protest this as quickly as the words fell into my ears, my self-control could be pushed more than this before I was even near snapping at anyone, but of course before a sound could leave I snapped it shut again. There was no use complaining anyway, I needed the blood whether now or later and it was much better if I got it now.

“If you have a snack planned, we can swing by for that, or in the interest of time… As long as I won’t end up in that condition, you could take what was necessary from me before our next appointment.” she added. That left me thinking, though I was aware of the answer I would give without even thinking about it. Sure she wouldn’t end up like the other fellow, but I wasn’t about to risk anything of the like. With that she turned to her cell phone, leaving me to do what needed to be done. “Whichever order works best for you, let me know.” she added. This time I had to really think carefully what I was doing, but I figured there was time to think, with that I left her to her calls and exited the building, trying not to draw much attention to myself I slid behind my car, popped open the trunk and drew out my spare clothes, sliding just as easily back to the building. Hopefully no one saw that.

I simply glanced at her to make sure no ill had befallen the woman in the mere seconds I was gone and made my way to the bathroom to hang the clothes there. I paused, thinking that the logical answer would be to obtain a snack before I cleaned myself, that way there would be a point in the action. With a sigh of defeat I made my way back to the room, awaiting patiently for Miss Raine to finish with her calls. Well the way I saw it, there was at least one good thing about this particular starving vampire to dig his fangs into her neck, at least she wouldn’t contract any infectious deceases now that my last dinner was a vampire himself.

Yeah, but all in all willingly letting a vampire slurp your blood like fruit juice wasn’t recommended by any professionals I was aware of.