POV: Scarlet Clementine Johnson (No, our cute vampy is getting pulled to the Darkside!)
Recap: Scarlet found out how hated Maelle can be and how easily she can redirect and shutdown anyone that crosses her, but since we’ve heard that the Succubus can go toe to toe with the likes of Relica … there’s really no comparing these fodder.
Maria’s slowly guided Scarlet closer and closer to allowing herself to open up, which seems to be helping a lot with this exposure therapy, but what could this Succubus’ plans be? Is she just a sucker for a good time, or is there some sinister motive behind those innocent pink eyes?
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Butterflies swarmed Scarlet’s stomach as Jack offered his hand with a sincere smile. “We just goin’ with Rumba? I mean, I guess it is Rumba night,” he chuckled.
This can’t be happening!
Her mind flashed back to the only time she’d ever been asked to dance, during ninth grade; she’d been so embarrassed, she reflexively said no. No one had asked her out since, which was more than a bit disheartening. Something had changed since then, though, and now, she had a difficult time refusing.
Scarlet took his hand, and he helped her up, guiding her back to the place Maëlle had taught her the basics.
Her cheeks darkened as Saeki leaned in, whispering to the amused Succubus. “Man, when I heard everything about the Mythickin report, I couldn’t imagine this scene. Terrifying blood lord? More like, terrified Bambie,” she snickered.
Maëlle gave her a wink as he continued to prompt her onto the dance floor. “Oh, she’s precious, and, umm—what is Bambie?”
Saeki’s mirth faded, and she lifted a questioning eyebrow. “Seriously—Disneyland Paris?”
“Never been,” Maëlle dismissively replied. “Mmh, I believe I understand the context, though. She is rather adorable … you might even say, delicious, I suppose.”
The agent shook her head while leaning back, giving her a curious smirk. “Honest, I don’t really get your eating habits. Well, I guess it’s not like I have any experience to judge it.”
Jack’s hand circled her back as they reached the floor, fingers spreading out across her left shoulder blade, causing her to stiffen; Scarlet’s blood shot out of her body. No!
Just before it cut his hands, arms, and neck in two, she managed to recall it.
He didn’t even seem to notice, vision never leaving her eyes. “You know, you have really beautiful blue eyes.”
Quit complimenting me! Gah, why is he trying to talk so close? Just focus … focus.
Maëlle hummed softly, and Saeki leaned forward. “Did I just see … I’m not drunk, right? No, it had to be the lights.”
“Trial by fire, my little bat,” Maëlle mumbled. “You’re doing well. Tune everything out, and move as I showed you … there we go, get in the rhythm.”
My back’s so warm, though … why am I so warm, when I don’t have body heat?
“You’re really cold,” Jack whispered while following the simple box step he’d seen Maëlle doing with her. “Is that a part of … nevermind, I don’t want to offend you,” he said with a strained laugh.
“No, no, it’s fine,” Scarlet replied, doing her best to keep her voice from sounding off. “I haven’t really—Maëlle was teaching me how to dance, I don’t—oh, wait, no, you didn’t ask that—umm, yeah, I don’t have any body heat.”
“Really? That’s pretty crazy. So, eh—is it alright for me to ask you what you are?”
Maëlle’s teasing tone cut past the music. “Ask him to take a guess! Remember, you’re here to have fun; play the game, but learn quickly, Kyle’s coming.”
Scarlet’s eyes widened, shooting to the Succubus. “Eh?”
Jack’s brow furrowed. “Huh? Something wrong—oh, was that pretty rude. I’m so sorry.”
Her focus returned to him, smile forced. “No, it’s not you—Maëlle’s just commenting on some things.”
His eyes lit up. “Ah, so you can hear her from this far away—and through this music? Man, you’re talented!”
Shut-up! How many compliments have people given me tonight? Her fangs poked out. Should I look … I mean, I want to, but my eyes…
A thought occurred to her. “Umm—do you want to see—just a little?”
“Of—what?” He asked, grin turning curious.
“Uh, what do you think I am?” She asked, trying to take a bit of the Succubus’ advice.
Jack’s lips pulled together as he studied her ears and mouth. “I hope I’m not offending you, but umm—a Vampire? I mean, the fangs kind of point me in that direction, but I know there could be tons of other creatures—oh, and there’s the body heat thing, too … eh, people with fangs…” He quickly added, continuing down the rabbit hole.
Scarlet felt a little better as his confident charm started to break down, and she giggled. “No problem, it’s cool. No, umm—well, I’m kind of a Vampire … but not technically, to be honest.”
“Okay,” he paused, smacking his lips while working through her statement. “Consider me confused.”
She wanted to scratch her forehead so badly but restrained herself. “I do drink blood,” she admitted, lowering her voice. “Does that scare you?”
Jack’s hand shook against her shoulder blade as he laughed. “I’ve seen a few Vampire movies, including,” he cleared his throat, putting on a mock voice. “It’s like you’re a recovering drug addict—that’s dating crack … it’s never going to work.”
Scarlet knew she should have been seeing stars at the word dating, but she recognized the reference, making her smile. “Oh, how it should have ended?”
Some of his confidence returned. “I don’t want her to be a monster…”
A smile brightened her cheeks as she completed the line. “It’s better if she just has a long, happy life with me.”
Jack’s frame silently shook. “Spider monkey…”
“Gross,” Scarlet chuckled.
“Right? I mean, really?”
“Yeah,” Scarlet smirked, looking away while remembering the series, “I wasn’t into the whole veggie Vampire thing.”
“Oh? So, what should I compare your vampirism to, then?” He innocently asked.
“Mmh,” Scarlet looked down at his exposed collar bone, trying not to let her mind wander too much. “I don’t know who I could compare myself to—eh, I drink blood packs, but I’ve also had live blood. You’re really not scared of that?”
“Meh,” he shrugged. “I figure if you’re out here, then you probably haven’t done anything too bad, and the stereotype has kind of been exhausted the past twenty years.”
“What about the news?”
“Yeah, not much of a news watcher, myself,” he mumbled. “All they do is scream about the world ending. Not a fan.”
Scarlet started to space out again, mind returning to all the negative emotions most people had when finding out she was a Vampire. Wait, Maëlle’s whole plan was to help make me more comfortable. She taught… “Wha…”
She tripped on his feet, forcing Jack to help stabilize her. “Woah, you okay?”
Her flushed cheeks returned with a vengeance as Saeki gave her an impressed hum. “Yo, Maëlle, where’d she learn that move? Smooth, girl.”
I didn’t mean … gah, everyone has such dirty minds!
Scarlet got back to her feet, pulling away a short distance to brush back her hair and manage her burning face. “Sorry, I just—umm, I was a little distracted.”
“No, don’t worry about it,” he replied, hands held up. “So—umm, you still want to dance?”
Scarlet closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before exhaling. It would be so easy to just back off, but … soldier through! Where’s Kyle?
Her vampiric vision manifested while opening her eyes, tinting the world red. “I know it might be…”
“Cool,” Jack’s mouth opened for a moment. “Wow, that’s intense! So, what can you—wait, does that mean you’re getting hungry? I mean, it’s sweet, but I don’t really know if I’m up to be a blood bank,” he forced a chuckle.
Scarlet’s hands rose in defense. “No, no, nothing like that! I just wanted to see something.”
“Oh?”
The music returned to the foreground as she glanced around, filtering out the walls. “I heard a friend was coming, and…”
She trailed off, catching sight of the Incubus as he made his way down the street; he was less than ten minutes away and dressed in a black tank-top and shorts, her eyes naturally moved to the glowing pink cracks running along his skin.
Freak! Why’d Maëlle have to ruin it for me … still, those abs … not an eight-pack like Anthony, but Kyle’s are well defined … more than that. No, don’t salivate! Stay calm … control … eyes! Don’t you!
Her focus snapped back to Jack as he gave her a weak laugh. “It’s a guy, huh?”
“What?”
“Chérie,” Maëlle whispered, “you’re gawking at the wall. Of course, it would dampen the mood.”
“I’m not gawking,” Scarlet mumbled, fixing her hair.
“What was that?”
“Nothing, umm—yeah,” she said, unable to meet his gaze as she held her arm behind her back. “My friend that’s coming is—yeah, he’s kind of a guy.”
“Kind of a guy…” He released a soft sigh, rubbing the back of his neck while taking a wistful glance at Maëlle. “Hmm … have you ever felt like something was so far out of your league, but something spurs you on to give it a shot anyway?”
A lump dropped down her throat. “Y-you mean, umm—you aren’t…”
“No, it’s fine,” he chuckled. “It’s almost liberating, in a way.”
Scarlet’s head tilted. “Huh? I’m lost.” She followed his gaze to Maëlle as she gave them a bright wave. “Ah, okay … Maëlle.”
“Well, not really—kind of, but no … heh, kind of like your Vampire thing that you’re not,” he said, nudging his head back to his table. “Mind talking with me. No, not like that,” he said, scratching his neck. “No, just to clarify what I’ve been feeling. Are you okay with talking until your friend gets here? Just as random strangers,” he whispered.
“Umm—sure,” Scarlet relented, not having a clue where this was going.
She tried her best to ignore Saeki’s sly comments as she followed Jack back, sitting across from him. Maëlle just sipped on her drink, watching them with a glint in her pink eyes, offering short responses to the agent’s speculations and jokes.
Her vision returned to their standard blue as she folded her arms, not knowing how to continue or what to do with her hands; luckily, Jack took the lead. “I’ve been having a rough time even getting the motivation to get up and talk to girls. Sounds pretty pathetic, right?” He sighed.
“No,” Scarlet quickly replied. “I’m—not the best at talking to guys … that’s why Maëlle’s been…”
“That’s the thing,” he cut in, glancing back at the delighted Succubus. “It’s her.”
“Well, I mean, she is literally a Succubus,” Scarlet growled, rolling her eyes before shooting a glare at the woman. “She says she’s not using her active powers, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem…”
This time, she trailed off, turning a look toward the man as he reflected internally. He’s … no, but why?
Scarlet unfolded her arms before fiddling with her fingers. “You—aren’t in love with her.”
“Her, oh, god, no!” He quickly shook his head. “How could I? No, but there’s just—there’s something about her that makes me so—confident. It’s like I’ve known her forever, yet … I’m lacking that. It’s so—strange. There’s a hole that needs filling—I just had to talk to her and just—just learn a little bit to fill that gap, and just that much is—is more than enough. You know?”
Scarlet’s tongue pressed against the inside of her cheek, studying the innocent smile Maëlle gave her. She’s not attracting people with love … that electricity in them is so close to lust that I mistook it. Maëlle comes off as some kind of goddess, and sure, she can obviously be a temptress, alluring people that are after her body, but there’s something deeper that’s pulling them in. I… don’t get her, at all.
“Stupid?”
She snapped back to focus. “Umm, you—I don’t think so.” Licking her lips, she ran her hands through the back of her long black hair, fingers sliding up her scalp before fanning her silky locks out with a short sigh. “How would you describe Maëlle?”
“Mmh,” he sat back, folding his arms while studying the woman. “Beautiful … beyond that, and so—what’s the right word?”
“Bright?”
He shook his head. “More than that—radiant … a brilliant star in the dark that guides you. I doubt I would have had the confidence to dance with you at all if she hadn’t suggested it,” he sheepishly laughed. “You’re beautiful, I mean, super cute!”
“You can’t mean that,” Scarlet mumbled, feeling her cheeks redden again.
“Even if we’ve just met each other, I’d stay humble with a response like that,” he grinned. “A few of my friends can’t stop talking about trying to get with a Demi, but—I don’t know. I feel like I don’t need something like that after meeting Maëlle and you. There’s this girl that I’ve liked since … oh, two years ago—a coworker.”
“A female electrician?” Scarlet asked, remembering his earlier statement.
“No,” he laughed. “She works in the office, but yeah, there are plenty of electricians that are females.”
“Keep him on the topic,” Maëlle merrily prompted.
The whole conversation felt surreal to her. What is going on here? I’m talking to a stranger about a girl he likes after dancing with me. “What’s she like?”
“Nora? Umm,” he looked down with a fond smile. “Well, she’s kind of shy, but a really hard worker. Blonde, Scandinavian, I think. She’s about the same height as you, but … ugh, I hate saying it, but you’re a bit thinner, not that she’s overweight.”
“Well,” Scarlet mumbled, glancing down at her dimensions, “I’m kind of … different.”
“I’ll say, but not in a bad way; still, Nora’s just gorgeous, and she always talks about spending time with her little brother—he’s doing his Eagle project right now. I mean, I want to ask her out, but I don’t want to embarrass her. You know?”
“Huh … so, you’re going to go ask her out?”
“Yeah, I can just ask in private, can’t I?” His mouth opened, tongue pressing against his bottom lip as he nodded. “Yeah, you know what—I think I will. Thanks, Scarlet,” he said with a bright smile. Getting up, he held out his hand. “I don’t think I’d even consider it before, but—yeah, thanks.”
“Eh—sure…” Scarlet replied, hesitantly shaking his hand.
She watched him briskly walk toward the exit, filled with positive emotion. This—couldn’t have been her plan, right?
Slowly returning to her seat, Scarlet sat back down; Saeki held her hands behind her head, giving her an appraising look. “I gotta say, I didn’t expect him to run off like that. What were you talkin’ about, and with a grin like that? Hmm,” she looked her up and down, “promise him anything?”
“No!” Scarlet snapped, thighs snapping together. She’s spent too much time with Maëlle!
The Succubus giggled. “She has this vision of a gibbous moon’s enigmatic rendezvous with the amorous cry of the sun, sweeping the red night afar with the chorus of yips in the fervent heat of his embrace.”
Scarlet’s eyes narrowed. “I—don’t know what that really means, but no—no.” She turned her attention back to the Succubus. “What did you do to him?”
“Was it truly me, I wonder?” Maëlle mused, fingers framing her chin.
“Wait,” Saeki’s cheer dampened, eyes darting to her charge. “So, you think she did something with her powers to that guy?”
“Something,” Scarlet mumbled. “Maybe…”
“Like?”
“Eh…” Scarlet frowned as Maëlle casually drank from her second glass, somehow receiving it between the time Jack and her had danced and talked. “I don’t know. After we stopped dancing…”
“Sweet move, there, by the way,” Saeki commented, directing a smirk her way before returning her focus to the Succubus. “You just needed to follow through a bit more.”
“I’m not so sure,” Maëlle replied, pink lips giving her a secretive smile.
“No? He was eating out of her hand before the whole mood shift when he looked at you!”
She’s gotten more into this than I thought she would. Scarlet dryly noted.
“He went to go ask out a coworker.”
“What?” Saeki’s attention whipped back to her. “Okay, now I’m lost.”
“It’s simple, mes amies. He was mesmerized by his siren’s call.”
[My friends]
“Siren,” Scarlet whispered, mind flashing with the image. “Like, a real siren?”
“Dear, it’s a metaphor,” Maëlle replied. “Every man has a siren’s name written on their heart, and it only takes a slight nudge to give them the courage to heed that maiden’s cry.”
Scarlet’s mind began working through the gears as they slid into place. “You—he just looked at you, and—it gave him the courage to do it.”
“Eurêka! You’re such a smart Bambie!”
“Bambie?” Scarlet mumbled.
“Forget it,” the agent waved it off, glancing between them with an incredulous expression. “But you’re saying … for real? Maëlle gives men the courage to pursue their romantic interests? A Succubus as a romance coach?”
It started to make more sense as Scarlet thought about it. She sat back, staring down at the table in disbelief. “It’s the perfect Passive for a Succubus … she redirects their attention from her to the one they truly love, giving her a shot of that deep-seated emotion.”
Saeki folded her arms, sucking on her left cheek while working through the puzzle. “Yeah … but I mean, turning into that love would probably be better, though, right? Not that I condone something like that,” she mumbled, glaring at the content woman.
There’s got to be more to it, but … that’s actually pretty awesome. The first time I met her, she was talking about that guy’s wife with him … I thought … wow. I’ve got a dirty mind.
She looked up at Maëlle with new eyes. “There’s more to it, though, right? I mean, you heard what he told me.”
Maëlle’s smile fell slightly as she played with the umbrella in her cup, twirling it around. “Of course, I’m built to draw attention and to give those attracted to me an initial hit of dopamine … the action hormone. With just a look, they’re mesmerized by the pulsing light that draws them to my most desirable parts.”
“Everywhere?” Saeki grunted.
“Well, every man has a different ranking order among women’s most alluring features; you’d be shocked how many parts of the nose itself can draw someone’s eye. However, with that initial drive to action comes the instinctive realization that I’m almost ethereal … something that cannot be touched. A defense mechanism, really, and that is where I bolster their confidence toward the one they most desire.
“Oh, and chérie, it is true that I could transform myself into the image of that very love, and that kind of pleasure can be … let’s just say—dangerous.
“And all this just happens?” Saeki asked, scratching her temple. “Every guy that sees you?”
“In the flash of a second,” Maëlle snapped her finger with a light giggle. “Well, I have some control over its length, but limited. You see, the fun part is the initial game, and how well I can keep them focused on me while combating my own abilities.” She winked. “It’s a game of chess against myself. What better opponent?”
“Yeah, okay,” Saeki crossed her arms. “I have a question, though.”
“Speak it!” Maëlle urged. “I’m an open book.”
“If that’s the case … what’s up with Jerry? He’s all about sliding all up on you, so, where’s your defense there?” She huffed.
“Hélas,” Maëlle sighed. “That’s one particular reason why I’ve made a note of crossing paths with the foul creature. An ability grows stronger when there’s more resistance.”
Scarlet’s nose creased. “So, he’s somewhat immune to your redirection?”
“In a manner of speaking,” Maëlle muttered, still playing with the miniature umbrella. “The lamentable lourdaud lacks—how do I say it? Refined love, which means the next strongest equivalent, obsession, takes its place. Therefore, I must utilize other tactics to keep the bête at bay.”
[unpleasant/dangerous oaf; dim-witted beast]
“Rough,” Saeki growled. “He seems like the kind of guy we should keep track of.”
“Mmh, I suspect he won’t be alive for too much longer, to be honest,” Maëlle commented, sliding her hand across her left ram’s horn.
“Meaning?”
“Crude behavior can attract … unsavory attention when angled the wrong way.”
Scarlet eyed the absent looking Succubus wearily, and couldn’t help but speculate she had some hand in tilting the scales in that direction.
Her pink eyes popped. “Oh! I believe our Kyle is here,” she mused, turning to the front entrance with a bright smile.
A shiver ran down Scarlet’s spine, but she couldn’t help compare the two, driving her insane. Are Kyle’s abilities just like hers? If that’s the case … do I not have any refined love interests … is this obsession? Freak! I don’t even know if this was her goal all along, but I’m doubting everything! She’s either an angel in the guise of a demon or a really effective devil!
Her mind jolted as Kyle came through the crowd, highlighted by the bright lights.
The Incubus’ dark blue hair, framed by his horns, guided Scarlet’s eyes to every inch of his face before being pulled down to his filled-out frame. He’d obviously had more nutritious meals since she’d last seen him, and if possible, steam would have popped out of her ears.
He didn’t look as young as he had, showing a much more mature physique and rougher features. Each muscle showing through the black tank top seemed forged out of steel, causing every woman to lock eyes on him, but there was only one person he was looking at—her.
Brushing back his hair with a light chuckle, he smiled at her. “Scarlet. Wow, you look stunning.”
“Umm, thanks,” Scarlet replied, shocked she wasn’t a blubbering mess with how she felt. “What’s going on?”
Maëlle jumped to her feet, tail dancing to the opposite side as she scooted out to wrap her in a warm embrace. “Mon petit élève fleurit!”
[My little student blossoms!]
Kyle gave her a wry grin. “Maëlle, have you been bullying Scarlet?”
“No!”
“Yes,” Saeki quickly followed, face just as red as Scarlet felt. “Gotta say, it’s been rough for the girl.”
Maëlle gave Kyle a sly smirk but didn’t respond.
“No, no,” Scarlet cut in, not wanting to appear weak in front of Kyle. “I’m perfectly fine! She’s been teaching me a bit about dancing.”
Saeki cleared her throat before smirking at Maëlle. “Among other things.”
Scarlet jumped as another person spoke, and for the first time, she recognized an agent beside Kyle. Wait, huh? When did … is that how men feel about Saeki and me, we’re just invisible until we draw attention to ourselves? No, get your head in the game!
“Hey, so, uh, we staying here, Kyle?” He mumbled, eyes on the Succubus as she smiled at him, pink hair bunching on her left shoulder while tilting her head.
Maëlle stepped up, giving him a wink. “Don’t you think Kyle and Scarlet should have some personal time to catch up?”
“Oh?” He mumbled, nodding while his focus seemed to turn inward. “I could see…”
“Yeah,” Kyle quickly slapped him on the back with a hum. “It might be good for us to get some more air, man. Alright, what do you say, Scarlet, up for a walk?”
“W-what about us?” Saeki mumbled, almost shyly as her eyes centered right on Kyle’s chest.
“Oh, girl’s night, just the two of us!” Maëlle replied with a cheer.
“Right … yay,” Saeki said, clearly not enjoying the news.
The whole exchange was like a whirlwind as Kyle nudged his head toward the door. “Coming with, Scarlet?”
“Uh, yeah, yeah!” Scarlet smiled while following them out.
Okay … just stay calm, and don’t make a fool of yourself, Scarlet … just be cool, and figure this crap out. How do I really feel?
Taking a deep breath as they got outside, she let Kyle take the lead as he walked north. I’m a little frazzled, but I can handle this … maybe Maëlle’s training actually did help a lot.
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