Ready Or Not, Here We Are. [Dimitri]

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

The girl did indeed walk slowly perhaps sharing a certain mutal pain that women had to bear on occasion. Perhaps Dimitri had treated her in a similar way once, he was certainly a man with many strange desires and tastes as exotic as the feathers of the birds of paradise.

She was led across a hallway that evidently connected two of the many towers of the Citadel and then up some stairs. A great oak door stood almost menacingly before her and the girl knocked. A muffled "yes" was heard and the girl opened the door, the girl entered before Jade curtsied and smiled as she spoke, "Beauty of the east, Lady Jade Alanon." The girl turned and walked past Jade, her face was troubling, the smile she had forced upon it was gone in a moment and she hurried to leave the room. Before she left however the door was pulled closed behind Jade.

The reason for the discomfort was soon clear, Dimitri sat at the head of an oak table that seated twenty, the young Duke was resplendant in the low light. The jewels that adorned him flashed and sparkled gaily and his garb would have been the envy of any Jaedaxian dandy. Clad in black with a great purple sash and a gold cravat held in place by an emerald pin with his hair carefully pulled from his face he was handsome, that much was sure.

A place was beside him where Jade was evidently supposed to sit for the rest of the eighteen chairs were already taken. Figures garb in the latest Vortexian fashion sat and moved slowly and almost mechanically. Guards stood perfectly still by the door and servants carried plates of food without a word or a glance to the girl.

It would soon be clear on closer inspection that Jade and Dimitri were the only living occupants of the room and a collection of well maintained and slightly animated zombies occupied the rest of the chairs. They did not eat, drink or talk but their actions mimiked those of life and gave the affair a strange feeling as though it was trapped in a silenced dimension.

Dimitri stood a smile on his face and motioned to the chair, "I am enchanted by your beauty, come and sit with me, I feel we shall have the bulk of conversation this evening." He cast his eye to her and smiled, a glorious predator clad in all the silks of the vile.

[Jade Alanon]

Jade took care in watching the girl before her, there was something about her that bespoke a certain sorrow, as Jade had requested, the girl walked slowly with her charge in tow. Jade abhored the heels she walked in, but there was not much that could be done about it for now, she would play Dimitri's odd game so long as it helped her regain her freedom. Nymira remained behind in the room, curled up on the bed for the time being. There was an eeriness to the girl that Jade couldn't pinpoint just what it was, but she couldn't be bothered to worry for a young servant girl when she had herself to worry about.

Jade kept herself stable as she walked behind the girl, moving up some steps and coming to stand before a large oak door. It was a rather foreboding door, but Dimitri did seem the sort for theatrics. The girl knocked and waited, Jade could heard hear Dimitri speak and the girl entered with Jade behind her, curtsying before Dimitri and announcing Jade. It was unnerving to have the title before her name, for Jade was no Lady by any standard. She noticed how the girl seemed to force a smile, but perhaps she didn't like the man she worked for, such was common with servants and really, Jade didn't care.

The door was closed behind Jade and the assassin had a moment to look around the dining area, her eyes first fell upon the Duke, who seemed to enjoy playing dress-up, his clothes were very fine and suited him well, not that this impressed Jade in the least. He was handsome, she had seen that when she first came upon him, but that meant nothing to Jade, looks faded in time, it was strength that she appreciated.

She took the time after to inspect the table, curious to see that there were others joining them, however, upon closer inspection, Jade could see that these were not normal people as one would expect. The fact that he had company with the animated dead was creepy and it was arcana so Jade definitely didn't like it, but she was not one to freak out.

Perhaps this was why Dimitri sought to trap others within his Citadel using his means as Captain of the guards, he had surrounded himself with the undead, was the young servant girl dead as well? She hadn't seemed it, but it was entirely possible. She walked over as Dimitri motioned at the chair next to him, her place of course being next to him, which was only good because she didn't wish to be around the other creatures. When he had mentioned "playing court" she hadn't thought he meant in this way. She made her way over and took the seat offered to her, trying to avoid looking at the animated corpses before her, even dressed in fine silks and such, they still were unnatural to look at.

"What do you wish to discuss Dimitri?" She was glad to be sitting so that she didn't need to be on those damned high heels again. "What game are you playing at? I don't like to be toyed with."

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

"You have such advantages over others Jade." He smiled evidently cutting right to the point. "And I have certain advantages above others also, mine are more mundane but still useful." He sat perfectly upright displaying posture of a high calibre, as he spoke he occasionally glanced about the room as if to see that his "subjects" were behaving.

"I expected another of your kind here, I prepared the room and clothes for such an event, but your arrival forced me to change ideas somewhat." He smiled, "Still things will work nicely still."

He paused and moved a hand up to his chin and stroked the smooth underside for a moment, "We are to forge a working relationship, I shall see to that. That is your purpose in this city, the gods will it and I will it." He smiled and resumed flatly, "I have assassins I have worked with before but you are more valuable, you are to be.....rather more special and we must forge a relationship more befitting of our talents."

He cast his eyes upon her and spoke, "I have used a little force thusfar to get you here, to dress you up and to have you by my side. Now I ask for you to trust me for this meal and I will show I can likewise be trusted." He cast a glance to the scarf around her wrist and spoke, "A simple test, I wish to secure your hands for this meal, I shall act as yours and feed you. I shall not take advantage of you, I give my word on that." He smiled softly, "Are you willing to trust me Jade? Or do you find me a being not worthy of trust?"

[Jade Alanon]

Jade leaned back in her chair as she waited for Dimitri to speak, she was a blunt person and as she said, she didn't like being toyed with. She hated the whole thought of being made to dress up for another's pleasure, but she would get the real reason now. He seemed to realize that beating around the bush with the Lady stuff wasn't going to work and so he cut to the point on what he wanted. He spoke of advantages and she nodded, he was right, she had advantages but she had worked hard for them, she paid a price for them as well.

She could see some of his advantages, being a Duke here in Vortex and being Captain of the guards were certainly advantages, she didn't wish to know if he had anymore. She rolled her eyes as he sat back, showing off proper posture and looking lordly over his "guests" as though inspecting their behavior closely. He was a good actor, he knew how to play his part well. Jade had no need to act like she was something she wasn't, she had no one to impress, no one to trick. This was the good thing about being an assassin, you were yourself most of the time.

Another of her kind, so he had met a Sanguine before, but who? Dare she ask? No, it mattered little to her who it had been, as Dimitri said, things had changed and she had taken the other Sanguine's place. "So you were expecting someone to arrive and got me instead, sorry to disappoint." She had wished now that the other Sanguine had been welcomed like this rather then her, she should be out completing her mission rather then sitting here in a pretty dress surrounded by the dead. "So you want me for my skills, I understand this. But surely I could have gone without the fancy things."

A working relationship, that didn't sound so bad. She didn't know full well if he was right about her supposed purpose in the city nor whether the gods willed it or not simply because she would have rathered the gods keep out of her life. "So you want a sort of partnership then." She thought on this, knowing full well that if she didn't at least pretend to agree to this, then she wouldn't get out of there with Nymira. She didn't doubt Dimitri worked with assassins, he didn't seem the sort of man to carry out darker deeds on his own, he needed men working for him. She nodded once more as he mentioned her being more special, it was true, not a matter of boasting or praise.

"So we benefit one another, see one another as equals?" She wanted to see if he was truly serious or if he was merely looking for another servant to serve him, a slave bound by something. "Cause I have no wish to be made to serve another, I would rather take prison then serve another whilst I have my own objectives to carry out."

She arched a brow when he mentioned binding her hands during the meal, it was a test of trust that was non-existent as of right now and he couldn't expect her to do it without some sort of way of knowing that she wouldn't be taken advantage of. "I don't know if I can trust you for you have given me no reason to do so, however, if you would have wanted me dead, then I'm sure you would have and the bind upon my wrist is breakable. So I shall see how far this goes, but I'll end it when I see fit." She placed her two wrists on the table and waited.

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

Dimitri stood carefully. He took the hand of his companion and planted a kiss upon it while unravelling the scarf from the wrist, carefully he bound them together with no lack of skill until the light material held Jade's hands firmly in place. It could be broken, not in one swift movement but it was hardly a pair of iron shackles. The effect was more symbolic.

"We all live in an illusion Lady Alanon, we are designated fates by the gods and by our own actions but this is all strange no? We are all the same perhaps but fate guides us to posess certain skills, a certain way of thinkings, glorious figures and faces, we are different moulds from the same material and each of us perhaps glorious in our own way." He smiled carefully, "I create illusions and play with vision, it is my game, it helps me to appreciate life."

He cast a glance around the room, "A court that makes me feel powerful, and they never speak to question me. An assasin with her hands bound about to let me feed her supper, power again Lady Alanon, power of control and manipulation. By doing such things I craft between us a relationship, I show you a peice of my mind here and you must adapt yourself to it."

He smiled as an udnead servant controlled by a necromancer from afar began to lay down plates of food for them, the first course a nice soup made from asparagus and wild roots that grew in the marshes around Vortex. Dimitri took a spoon and picked up a healthy amount and guided it into his guest's mouth carefully so as not to spoil her appearance with a blemishing stain.

"Perhaps what I seek with you Lady Alanon is slavery in a way but not in the form you fear. After my intial focus you will not be kept here, I will not bind your hands or feed you words and you can leave my city never to return if you wish." He smiled and fed her another spoon of soup before giving himself the luxury of a taste still using the same soon. "No this little game is about something deeper and it gives you a choice of slavery, as I mentioned you are too special to be a slave, you need to want to work for me, you need to see I can help you and what is most important you need to enjoy being in my presence."

He smiled carefully and continued, "That is what is key here Lady Alanon, you will travel and do what you wish but you will desire for a variety of reasons to come back to my side, our relationship is going to be very special indeed." He fed her another spook and accidentally allowed a small green stain to dribble from one side of her mouth. Quickly he picked up a silken napkin and dabbed at the side of her face with the casual ease of a lover. "Do you understand my words Lady Alanon, beauty of the east?"

[Jade Alanon]

Jade made no sound of protest as he lifted her one hand up, placing a kiss on the back of her knuckle before untying the scarf and bringing her wrists together to tie the fabric around them both. The black silk was soft on her skin and while he tied it enough to be binding and it would take effort to break the scarf, she knew she'd be able to if she needed to. She waited for him to finish before allowing her hands to rest back on the table, this was foolishness personified but she would see it through and see where it took her.

Jade listened as Dimitri began to speak, his words sounding much like a priest preaching, he was truly a priest of the order. She found it interesting how all the priests attained everything to their gods, fate guiding them, their actions helping fate along. It sounded so annoyingly mixed up to Jade and she didn't want to hear about the gods and their designs, she didn't believe in following their designs, while she most likely followed them anyway. "Thanks for the sermon," she commented sarcastically. She wasn't afraid to be rude to the man before her, as she said, she was no Lady and spoke what she was thinking. "Surround yourself in illusion and soon even you'll believe it's real."

She looked at the creatures he had serving as his quests and shuddered, yes, Dimitri was a man of power and Jade had to respect that power. He knew how to go about things, a master manipulator truly, but she didn't like being snagged in his web of deception. Jade was a simple woman with a difficult life, she didn't need riches or wealth, she cared nothing for power other then that of strength. She as indeed a very adaptable young woman, she was resilient and able to adapt to any situation thrown at her, if she is given the time needed to do so. Dimitri seemed to be giving her that time, but submitting herself to another was nothing something she did easily nor something that sat well with her.

Food was placed before them, a type of soup that had a lovely smell to it. She said nothing as Dimitri dipped a spoon into it and began to feed her. Gods it was embarrassing and she was ready to stop this nonsense now. She didn't need someone spoon feeding her when she was an adult able to care for herself. He confirmed her thoughts on just what he wanted, but still seemed to see it more as a sort of game. How could she have a choice of slavery, such a thing didn't make sense to her. "You want me to want you," that was pretty much the basic gist it seemed.

She sighed as he dabbed some of the stray soup gently from her cheek, he was making her feel like a child at the moment. Of course she understood what he was saying and while she was willing to make a sort of relationship with him, she didn't know if she would ever "want him" the way he wanted her to. "What will I get in return Dimitri? I won't agree to something that is one sided." She would get her freedom it seemed and that was important, but she wished to see what he would say. Would this other Sanguine he had been expecting have been as easy to cowl?

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

"What do you get in return?" Dimitri smiled and carefully spooned another mouthful of soup into her mouth as he considered the question, "I would have thought a professional killer such as yourself is rather a bane to society, perhaps having a city such as Vortex to feel safe in would be a worthy reward." He smiled and nodded, "You may have coin and supplies, training or whatever else I can provide if you wish it also."

"I ask much of you hmm, to sit here with me, dressed as you are." He smiled, "Ask me things and I may also accept, it depends what you want no? You dont have to kill who I wish if you do not wish to do it, I offer you work, take it only if you wish for it."

He spooned more soup into her mouth and some for himself as he spoke further, "I wonder if you realise your beauty Lady Alanon, does it not give you a slight thrill to be dressed in the finest silks and to be wearing scents and ungents from foreign soil."

He stood and took a great silver plate from the table, he held it before her so she could see her reflection, "Do you not even crave the lifestyle of the rich slightly, or are you a girl born for the dark and unforgiving road, finding solace not in pearls but in chaos?" He was standing now and two gloves hands found their way to her bare neck. He carefully rubbed and massaged as he spoke, "Ask me to stop if you do not enjoy this, I merely do it for your pleasure Lady Alanon, as I have done everything this evening."

His next method was risky for his goals but he had decided to confont difficult issues early, "What attracts you to Master Austin Eventide?"

[Jade Alanon]

It was embarrassing to see that an assassin like Jade was reduced to being spoon fed by the Duke, but at least she still had her dignity. She was a fierce woman that had survived death time after time, she faced many different assailants and would face more should the Gods see to it. The bane of society, Jade had never taken such a name herself, she thought that it was perhaps true, being that she murdered without care for anyone else, but she had never been called as such. A city to feel safe in, a secure place to come if she needed to run or hide, that did sound interesting. He promised her crowns and supplies if she wished it and while she doubted she would, it was good to have something to fall back on.

"I understand that my attire is part of your game, I care nothing for looks and you know this, yet I did as asked to show that I am willing to see just how far this goes." She nodded as he mentioned giving her work, she didn't need work, but the thought of killing for profit did appeal to her. She already had done bounty work before and enjoyed it, this didn't seem much different.

The soup was good and she enjoyed it, but the means of getting it fed to her was demeaning and she failed to see how this inspired trust between the two of them. He mentioned her own beauty and she shrugged, she had never cared with how she looked, she had heard others speak on her beauty, but she didn't see it herself. "Put a killer in silks and they are still a killer. I see no use in being beautiful." She felt no such thrill at wearing the silk frock, it was lovely and she appreciated it for that, but it was restricting and she couldn't fight in it. "I am no Lady Dimitri, I am a brute, a warrior. I cannot pretend to be something else."

She looked into her own reflection and sighed, she definitely looked different then her usual self, more elegant and beautiful, but she still saw the look of an assassin and this didn't change it. She was going to answer his question, but halted when she felt his gloved hands move over her skin, her rubbed her neck gently and while it wasn't exactly welcome, it still felt good. She remembered how Austin did this for her sometimes when they were together, gods how she missed him. She closed her eyes at the feeling and just let herself enjoy it for the moment.

Dimitri's next question would cause her to open her eyes once more and look up at Dimitri. His question was posed about Austin, he wished to know why she had been attracted to him. Jade didn't see how it was really any of his business, but perhaps he was simply curious, he had seen Austin and her together during the Masque surely. "He accepts and loves me for the way I am. He makes me feel as though I am more then just an assassin and while he doesn't agree with my lifestyle, he doesn't turn me away because it it." She truly did miss Austin, she had caused a great deal of grief when she had last seen him and yet he told her his door remained open for her. "Why do you ask?"

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

"If he does not turn you away my dear, what are you doing here purring under my fingers." He smiled, "His loss is certainly my gain." He moved back to his bowl and took a final mouthful of soup before delivering one more to her. The plates were cleared as Dimitri once more dapped his guest's mouth with a silken napkin.

"Now the Lords and Ladies that accompany us must go and new guests must arrive to make the main course more exciting."

A large fat man, clearly of Arakmatian origin appeared at the door. He bowed deeply and smiled, his flab was clad in silks and he smelled of the finest perfumes, however they choked the air about him applied as they were with such ferocity. A clap caught the attention of all the undead and a light gesture accompanied him as he left the room, the undead stood and shambled along behind him including the guards. Dimitri smiled once they had all left. "Now we shall have some true fun Lady Alanon, you may appreciate this next entertainment, I get so little time to indulge in my preferred hobbies."

He clapped his hands and the door moved open, six orcs moved into the room hefting what seemed to be prisoners, they were dressed in simple hemp clothes and each had a burlap sack over their heads. They were each placed in a seat two on the right of Dimitri and one on the left of Jade so they formed a small five. The three were carefully tied to their chairs blocking escape before their hoods were removed. It was two men and a woman, each was gagged and bound and thrashed wildly looking for a means of escape. Dimitri merely sat and smiled.

He finally spoke and stood at the same time moving to his right to the first bound man, "Lady Alanon allow me to introduce three people that have displeased me and the city and will now join us for a final meal you might say, I will show you I am unafraid to take lives and be artistic about it." He smiled, "Know in doing work for me you work for a purist, jobs must be done properly I will not ahve sloppy workmanship from my allies." He smiled, "Not that I expect if off you Lady Alanon, a true professional."

He coughed and patted the bound man on his shoulders as he stood behind him and exampled, "This is Rene, a Jaedaxian I beleive by birth. He has been in my city for some time making fraudulent deals so he could fund a drug habit, he has been making bad deals with some of my associates and my men and I do not approve of this."

He cast his eyes to the next man across and smiled further, "That is Woleslaw, he was a member of my guard, he likes to occasionally murder little boys, and while this is perhaps fine from a moral point of view, some of those boys were the sons of guardsmen, it is perhaps best I remove him this evening for his own good." He cast a glance at the woman next to Jade who silently sobbed through her gag.

"That beautiful little Lady, is Ana. She was one of my servants but decided I had too much and began to steal from me, despite the generous wages I gave her, I do not like to be cheated so she must go." He paused, "Lady Alanon, you and I shall be served a beautiful stew of beef and vegetables, these poor souls will eat also." He nodded, "I am going to feed them to each other and see who can eat the most, that person will then receive a lovely slow death."

He cast his eyes at Jade trying to judge her reaction, "Before I do this I would like your approval however, you are my guest and I do not wish to make you unhappy. You may retire if your stomach is not up to the spectacle here today."

He moved to Jade again and began once more coaxing her shoulders and removing the tension.

[Jade Alanon]

Jade didn't like discussing what had occurred between her and Austin, it was still a sore spot with her and while she saw no gain for Dimitri keeping her from Austin, she could tell that he was prodding at the subject on purpose. He was trying to make a small tear in their relatiosnhip into a larger one that was irreperable. She said nothing at his question, knowing there was some truth to his words, but it was vice versa, she had been the one to leave, unable to endanger herself or him anymore then she had to. She was slightly disappointed that his hands had stopped, returning to his seat to finish off the soup for the both of them.

Her hands remained bound for the moment, something that still irked her at that moment, but she did not try to break the silk. Dimitri announced that it was time for their "guests" to take their leave to make way for new guests. This new developement caused Jade to raise an eyebrow at the Duke, what sort of games was he playing? This seemed to be an awful lot for a dinner with a woman he had forced their through death threats. More exciting main course, how interesting this should prove to be.

Jade's emerald gaze was drawn to a fat man that had entered the room without her noticing at first, he was most likely of Arakmatian descent considering his looks and he worked for Dimitri, that much was obvious given his appearance in his fine silks and perfumes. Jade was glad that the bulbous man didn't come any closer, for even at a distance, his perfume was overpowering. He clapped his hands to gain the undeads attention and then left, the "guests' soon followed, ambling slowly out the door. Once Jade and Dimitri were the only two in the large dining room, the Duke spoke, peaking Jade's curiousity as to what he had planned for the main course. What sort of entertainment did he believe she would enjoy?

At the clap of his hands, Jade looked to the door to see the creatures that she hated walking inside, gods how she hated orcs. The orcs brought in three prisoners who were bound and gagged, a burlap sack obscuring their faces for the moment. They fought against their captors as best they could, but it was to no avail. It was admirable that they still fought even as their fates were most likely sealed. Jade could tell that one of the prisoners were female and while she was curious as to why they were being brought into the dining hall.

Jade said nothing, waiting for an explanation to be given and while it took a moment, Dimitri soon provided one. These three people were all sentenced to death for a crime against the city or Dimitri himself, it seemed that their deaths were going to serve as an example that Dimtri had stained his hands with blood before and thoroughly enjoyed it. While Jade was a murderess that thrived in battle, she didn't necessarily like killing without a reason, though any murderer could surely think up a reason for killing if they thought hard enough. Dimitri explained his the crimes of each prisoner, explaing how he didn't like sloppy work. She was indignant that he would think something of her, but then he corrected himself and she nodded.

The one known as Woleslaw got little sympathy from Jade, though she was not one to judge for she had murdered children before herself, though she had a reason of course. Jade looked to the woman next to her and saw how weak she was, weeping through the gag in her mouth, she showed no strength at all and it was a pitiful sight to see. If she had a true will to live, then she would be fighting and even if death was imminent, then at least she would have pride as she fell, not this quivering mess that sat next to her. She obviously didn't want to live bad enough.

Dimitri then explained just how things would go and while Jade was surpised, she wasn't exactly shocked. She had picked up that Dimitri was a man that enjoyed drama and being the center of attention. She allowed her face to remain blank for a moment before smiling. "Do you often have such entertainment at dinner, if so then I'm surprised you have servants left at all."

Jade was surprised when he asked for her own opinion on the matter, it seemed that he was giving her the choice in just what happened. She took a moment to think of just what to say, for how could she, as an assassin, judge others who had their own faults? Dimitri moved behind her once more and began to work his fingers into her tense muscles once more, she continued to think before she finally spoke. "I don't need to retire for I've seen worse then a few petty prisoners being killed. Though I am curious as to what your style of killing is. I have no right to make any comments against you for they are your servants to do as you wish with."

"Just try not to get blood in the food, that would be unpleasant."

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

Dimitri merely nodded at her words, for now he was becoming more subtle in his manipulations of her neck. His fingers while appearing thick and brutish were suprisingly nimble and soft and they played across her skin. Slowly they moved up onto her bare neck, they stroked and pressed at the same time, it was not painful, rather it was somewhat relaxing to be pampered in this way. Dimitri whispered softly, "Such a graceful neck, rather like a swan Lady Alanon." His hands continued to move upwards, they traced the neck just under the head and then teased the back of the scalp just behind the hairline but did not upset the carefully constructed bob atop it.

Then he retreated over to the girl beside her, smiling softly he reached round her placing a finger into each nostril and yanking upwards quickly causing a yelp of pain and suprise from the girl. "Maybe we shall start with you my pretty." Dimitri kept his hold of the girl and smiled softly as he collected a wickedly sharp carving knife from the table. "Something nice and edible for the boys to chew on, perhaps an ear would be nice."

Dimitri quick as a flash had the knife behind the girls ear, and in a quick flash had severed it sending blood splattering about but on the opposite side to Jade. The girl screamed through her gag as Dimitri collected the ear and placed in on one of the plates of the men. He remained behind the girl still holding her by the nostrils as she thrashed about wildly. He held her till she calmed down a little and sat silently sobbing with blood slowly trickling from one ear.

He smiled as he placed the knife to his lips suckling on the blood softly, then he placed the still dripping blade before Jade careful not to get any blood on her clothes. "Care for a taste, she is sweet like the honeydew." His free hand returned to Jade's neck and stroked oh so seductively.

[Jade Alanon]

It was interesting that Dimitri didn't seem surprised by Jade's reaction to his want to torture his prisoners right in front of her. Perhaps he believed her truly heartless or maybe he was testing her to see how much she cared about others. Either way, he continued his massage, surprising her with how nimble his gloved hands were. It was relaxing to have her neck rubbed in such a way, in such a way that she was almost disappointed when he stopped. Jade said nothing about his compliment, she had no real pride in her looks because they meant nothing to her, she could be ugly and she wouldn't care.

Jade watched with slight interest as Dimitri took a place behind the bound and gagged woman, she was terrified, that was certain. Her offense had been minor yet she was facing certain torture and death in the hands of Dimitri. Jade would have possibly cut off a hand or so to show that theft wouldn't be tolerated, but she wasn't the mistress of his servants, she was merely a "guest" of Dimitri's. Jade's facial expression didn't change much as he yanked on the girl's nostrils, earning a cry of surprise from the bound girl. The carving knife was picked up and without any hesitation, he severed the ear from the girl's head. It was a ghastly sight to behold, but Jade had seen worse when she was on the battlefield, she had done worse, though she fought to kill, not torture.

The thought of having one of the men eating the girl's severed ear was disgusting and had Jade been of weaker mind or stomach, she might have excused herself from the table. Jade watched on as the girl thrashed against Dimitri's hold, but soon she had no choice but to calm down, her pathetic sobs muffled by the gag.

Jade might be a bloody woman, but she had no interest in tasting the blood of her victims, espcially if it was a dirty Rhasic. She remained stoic as the blood stained knife was placed before her, his offer caused her to shake her head. "I've no interest in tasting her blood." She looked to the men that remained untortured, wondering just what their tortures would be. She was pleasantly surprised as Dimitri's hand returned to stroke at her neck, she was getting used to his casual touches and didn't mind them as much. "So you view torture as an art, what masterpieces are you planning with the other two?"

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

Dimitri pulled the knife away and shrugged further lapping at the blood that adorned it. Carefully his lips moved from the sharp blade and to the stump where the girl formerly had an ear, carefully he began to suckle at it as though it was his nursemaids tete and with his eyes closed and brow unfurrowed he seemed to enter a grim rapture.

For a moment or two this bizarre act continued before he removed himself, he stalked round the table dropping the ear in front of one of the men. He cast his eyes at Jade, "I could reduce them to be less than men, that is where true pain and humiliation lie." With practiced ease he carefully stabbed each of the men lightly with the knife causing a little cut on the side of their necks, "Small bleeds will make them weak and they will die over a few hours, which will be most satisfactory."

He carefully positioned his blade and in one great arc with some accuracy had chopped a nose from one of the men, a great stream of blood shot out for a moment and hit the earless girl across the table, all the while Dimitri cackled furiously and made more small holes on the necks of the men.

After a moment his eyes turned to Jade, "Suggest to me my next move Lady Alanon."

[Jade Alanon]

Jade sat up straight, trying to play the part of a regal aristrocrat in the presence of a bloody creature such as Dimitri. Jade was no stranger to the metallic tang of blood in the air, but she had never had an actual taste for it. Dimitri didn't seem bothered that she turned his offer down, instead he went back to lapping at the blood that stained the blade. While Jade believed his dark thirst would be sated there, Dimitri surprised her by moving to the bloody stump that had once been the girl's ear and began to lap at the blood there. Such thirst for blood truly was surprising, Jade had to wonder if perhaps Dimitri had vampire in him. Jade knew such creatures existed and it wouldn't surprise her, due to Dimitri's macabre act nor did it bother her so long as she didn't become a target of such attention.

After a few moments of bloody delight, he pulled back from the side of the woman's head and looked to Jade. She did what she could to remain stoic and void of emotion, but such a thing wasn't easy when she was faced with such brutality, the likes of which Jade had not seen since the massacre of her village. A man that took pure delight in others misery, and he was in power as well, should Jade fear for Vortex? No, it was a political matter and Jade vowed never to get herself immersed in politics of any sort.

She couldn't help but have a morbid curiousity on just what he would do with the two other men that he had left to torture before her. Her own hands were still bound with the silken cord and she had to wonder if she herself was in any real danger. She could break the cord, but it would take a few moments, why had she been so foolish as to allow herself to be bound in any sort of way? She watched the men moan in pain and squrim as the blade dug into their flesh, slowly bleeding them. The look in their eyes told Jade that they knew they would die, they deserved it after all, but to die in such a way was beyond dishonorable. Good thing Jade didn't have morality issues or she might not have been able to sit there and watch such acts of cruelty. "Are you always so cruel or are you feeling you need to impress?"

One careful and precise arc of his blade and the one man's nose was sliced off, the spray of blood hitting the woman that sat across from him. His gag kept him from fully screaming, but the muffled scream came nonetheless. More nicks and cuts in the men to cause bleeding and slower deaths, but now only one man went undisfigured. The next move was left up to Jade to suggest, Dimitri was giving Jade's cruel side a nudge. "An ear and nose have been lost. Perhaps an eye would be appropriate."