coffee burns . anna//azel

[zubatman]

Fernando had never been so petty as to intrude on her personal life. The faux trust he had placed onto her had shattered with her lies but even he had seen her untimely betrayal. What bothered him most would be kept a secret as he was too ashamed to pronounce it and show her the error of her ways. Instead, he had spent the day yelling, screaming, and demolishing his cushy condo in a display of anger. Even then, she refused to acknowledge the core of her problem.

Still, always the saint, Fernando forgave her. Hell, he even treated her to a day out on the town. Together, the two were sitting in their favorite coffee shop, Fernando trying his best to beat another lesson into her pathetic brain while she tried her best to play her façade.

“Now now, keep that flirting somewhere more private~”

Oh joy!~

[zaire]

In short, she was exhausted. She was tired of hearing his voice, and the other. Why was it so difficult to forget the whole thing happened? Because there was a bigger problem at hand. She would dance around it until she was forced to tumble into its grasp. Hopefully that would be delayed as long as possible. The last thing Anna had been expecting was to be treated to some sort of outing. It was strange. She was waiting for the catch. However, the last thing was expecting was Azel's voice to her side. Anna wasn't familiar with anger-- but it was obvious when it was present, mentally if not physically.

"Wring out. His waist."

She had already released the Serperior within the few seconds between his voice and her reaction. She wouldn't take to his presence kindly, not when the constant ring from Fernando's shouting and screaming was dying down into a faint headache. Her voice was colder than it had been. Whether she was doing it to please the boss or for hr own satisfaction, she wasn't sure.

"Don't let up. Make it uncomfortable."

[grey]

He kept his air of indifference, not much point in being scared now, after all he knew the consequences of his actions. He accepted the coils that wrapped around his body, smile still so plain in sight despite the discomfort he felt. Why give them the satisfaction?

" ... I guess it was dumb to think I'd deserve any other kind of welcome?" A hint of a joke. Not a very good one though, he had to admit. He gasped as the snake's coils manage to squeeze out what comfort he had left, hard scales pressing into his clothes where they would surely mark.

The smile remained, forced, while his eyes stared at them.

[zubatman]

For now Fernando is speechless. The moment is too perfect for him to ruin it with any smug remarks. Admittedly, he’s surprised by Anna’s initiative-- delighted, even. Fernando can barely keep the growing grin from leaping off his face. If anything, he had underestimated her. At least she could make up for her past screw up and make all that drilling worth something. Christmas had came early for the two.

“That’s up to my associate,” Fernando stated, bland and restrained, “I suppose.”

[zaire]

"It was idiotic," she stated blandly, the dullness in her eyes representing the indifference in her stance. She had been taking the time to reconsider if she did want him dead or not-- what had caused her to be so naive to think that she could possibly have a friend? Too risky. That was obvious. Unnecessary companionship was something sentimental. She didn't tolerate sentimentality. She would shoot a confused glance at Fernando at the foreign title-- something to bother with later. "You should have stayed in your shadows."

[grey]

"You two were just so noisy. How could I resist?~" He said, smiling even wider as a wince came from the grip of the Serperior. Cold hard muscle was severing the blood flow to his lower body, arms already going numb from where they were held. Idly, he wondered if anyone in the cafe gave a fuck about them, but then he pushed that thought aside, taking on a more than hospitalable tone. "Oh, she's been bumped up to associate? How nice~" He said, with as much pleasantry as he could, lacking of sarcasm for once.

[zubatman]

“Having your head on my platter will finalize her promotion,” Fernando explained, enjoy the spectacle from his seat. “Nothing Christmasier than advancement before the Holidays,”

Whatever sarcasm Azel might have lacked, Fernando made up for. Thin veiled venom dripped from his otherwise genuine smile as he finally got to examine the intruder up close.

“As to how she does it, I’ll leave it up to her.”

[zaire]

"Then you were too close."
It was obvious that he was uncomfortable by now-- his color was enough to show how quickly oxygen could be wrung out from the body. Her eyes had hardened intonation glare as she watched the grass snake, waiting for the right moment. "Hold, Lafayette." The pokemon would know the command-- keep the prey in place and loosen its grasp; not nearly enough to let the victim go, but enough to allow it to take a good breath. "What were your intentions?"

She was disregard Fernando's words for now. Focusing on them would only add unnecessary pressure.

[grey]

"Why exactly is my head so valuable, hmm? I don't think it'd look too good on your wall, as lovely as your finishing is, I thought you would have better taste than that. And sorry, I've never really taken to the idea of giving without getting something in return." He stared on back, never losing that haughty air of self-importance. But then again, he could see Fernando carried himself the same way. Considering it was he who was bound, he had to admit it really wasn't himself who was one-up.

Visibly relieved, he tried his luck with another shimmy, but found himself still locked in place despite a slightly more comfortable hold. He shrugged as if to say 'I tried, and gave the question some thought. "Too vague. Could you narrow it down a smidge?~ "

[zubatman]

Being a mere observer had its advantages. From here, Fernando could take his time, gingerly taking a sip of his coffee as Anna did her best to redeem herself. He would take his time with his response, abusing the fact that out of the three of them, only one was kept and constrained against their will. It’s nice to be able to breathe without having to worry about a serpent crushing your lungs at the slightest moment.

“Trophies make astounding reminders of our accomplishments and failures. As much as I’d hate to admit it, you’re right. I could use with some redecorating. I’ll have the walls redone just to match with your lifeless head, sound alright?”

[zaire]

She remained silent during the exchange of words between the other two, only interjecting when she knew the dialogue was directed at her.

"In saying anything." She wouldn't need to know his purpose behind the event that had landed them in this situation. She knew that one all too well. "Today." She tossed the last word in on a whim, before he could deny her an answer a second time.

How could he remain so dignified? On a throne, yet viable to die. It didn't help her flaring anger, nor would it help him in the end. Anna was never one to expect apologies, yet his casual facade was driving her into the ground. "Drain. Poison."

Her hand would slink away from Fernando, instead curling around the handle of the blade on her waist. While the Serperior's mega drain and toxic would slowly work into his system, she had not given the serpent the killing order. The poison attack would simply seem from the snake's skin, while the mega drain fed on energy-- not greedily, but enough.

Somehow the thought of killing him still seemed impossible.

[grey]

"You're much too rich, you know that?" He muttered half-heartedly, directing a look of disdain to the floor. Wasn't much of his business ot tell the man how to spend his money then why make the effort. Though he'd be lying if he didn't say he was jealous.

Before he could even get to form an answer, he had to chocked back a yell of pain as he was drained of his life, with poison to boot. The usual pale skin turned even paler, looking quite unhealthy as he blanched at the sudden pain from the toxic. Shit, this wasn't part of the plan. He glared pointedly at Fernando. Damn spectator.

There was a timer on his head now, eventually the poison would kill him if he didn't get an antidote, increasing in it's toxicity as time went on. He sighed, looking apologetic as he spoke. "I didn't like how he was treating you, for something I caused, not that I think I did anything remotely wrong. It was much too tempting to break off your lovely scene just a moment ago and I've never been one to resist temptation." He tried to grin, but it was more of a grimace.

[zubatman]

“I do and rightfully so,” Fernando scoffed, none too shy with his obvious social superiority. Against all presumptions, the fabled heir did more than grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth. He bore the burdens of the title and grew to bear it, becoming the heartless tycoon those closest would know him for.

“You didn’t cause anything,” he interjected. His lesson would be taught regardless of the interference. “All fault lies on her.”

The newfound hold that Anna held over Azel brought about a genuine concern from her employer. “Don’t let him wither into nothing. I want to see that plump, haughty expression on his face when I send it to the taxidermist. See how long he can keep up the front.”

[zaire]

Now there were standards to follow.

Frustrating, if anything.

"Hold."

The grass type would allow the venom to fade from its outer skin, its feast on the energy of its victim coming to an all-too-sudden end. Perhaps she could have gotten Azel out of his predicament if he had fallen ill enough-- a silly idea, in hindsight. After all, she hadn't completely simmered down. She would let his words sink in, taking them to the deepest part of her memory to store. They would serve as a constant reminder.

'All fault lies on her.'

She shook her head.

"Don't become involved in matters that no longer involve you. You know what happens."

[grey]

"Awww come on, the most you can do with my head done in like that would be to set it out during Halloween and let the kids have some fun. Not much good use, in my opinion." Not that his brain capacity was anything special. But really, all he wanted was to make sure that his head remained on his shoulders for a while longer.

"Too bad, I got involved. I'm not in good term with Celebi to turn back time~" He replied, sickeningly sweet, coupled with a smile that just hurt to even put on. He could feel himself weaken, eyes focusing and unfocusing on them. "As fun as this all is, I have to drop the bomb sometime today. What are you going to do to me, Nana?" He couldn't drop the nickname of course. "If Mr. Bucksaplenty over here's gonna be true to his word, then my life is literally-" Another squirm. "In your hands."

[zubatman]

“Nana? That‘s cute.”

If nothing good came out from this at least Fernando would have another way to taunt her. Pet names were never something he was particularly fond of but he could make an exception this time. Anything to serve as a reminder of her mistake. Moments like these would have to be burned into the deepest nooks of her skull. Only then would she learn to never again let herself become so vulnerable.

“As you will, Nana.”

[zaire]

She could have scoffed at him, had she been one to scoff. "Shame."

She would admit to herself that his tone was getting under her skin; digging, as if searching for some sort of prize. It would come up empty, its only purpose to do the unnecessary. "If you ask nicely, I'll wake you up." Maybe she had been around Fernando for too long.

Anna paused at the question, the familiar nickname remaining unnoticed. They had already discussed it. "I've done enough," She said slowly, as if testing the words on her tongue. It was true- she had crippled him enough that, even without Lafayette, he wouldn't have gotten far.

"I'm not a judge."

[grey]

"No, not quite the judge. Just the appointed executioner. On that note, what is my crime? Breaking and entering? Sure okay, maybe entering, I didn't break shit. But I'm pretty sure that this isn't the kind of punishment you'd normally get either."

There was more bite to his voice, more impatience, as he looked at her with certain questions. He could feel her hesitation, the way she was trying to tiptoe over the question, and he was sure that the other man did too. Not good for either of them really.

"You know what, fine, take this court. I'll have you know my plea is innocent either way. I want an actual judge, I want a jury, and I want a lawyer." He pouted, obviously kidding. "Jokes aside. All I want to be is free."

[zaire]

"The executioner only does what they are told, without explanation."

A subtle way of saying she didn't know the exact matter of the crime. She hadn't dared asked Fernando-- after all, she was the one who ruined it all; who caused their pleasant situation.

"It's a matter of property."

She kept her voice flat, her tone apathetic. It would help her, even if it neglected him. The word 'want' rung an all too familiar bell.

"It's not about what you want. It's never about what you want."

Like a fine-oiled machine.

[ i was told to go again 8| ]

[grey]

"Of course it's about what I want. My life, my desires. You know me long enough that I do what I want, whenever I want." He said with an eye roll. "I wanted to help you. Oh dear, turns out it was my mistake, you don't want it after all. Fine, fine. Now I want to get out of here. I can think of ten other things to do other than getting squeeze by a leaf thing." He continued with that lick of pride. "So let me go."

[zaire]

"You'll find that it does not revolve around you, in the end. Nothing you do can keep you from dying, even if you do not want to. It may not happen one day, but eventually your life will end."

She hadn't meant to get philosophical.

"Your desires plague the lives of those they have to feed off of."

She frowned, unsure now more than ever. Surely his life could not be taken in public, even if the area was empty. Surely she wouldn't actually have to carry it out. Just because she would assist in it didn't mean she would want Azel to die. It wasn't about wants. She had already been over that.

"Point being, your want is irrelevant. You don't have a choice."

[ i was told to go again 8| ]

[grey]

"Nah, nah, my wants are relevant to me. I don't want to die right now, there's still a lot of things on my bucket list, and I haven't even scratched off that other one yet." Now he was just trying to be difficult. The bucket list wasn't even real, just another piece of bull that he had to make up on the spot.

"Very well, if my wants don't matter. Then what do you want to do to me? Because that's the only question that matters right? Your answer, could mean my life or my... Discomfort." Eww, death. "So puh-lease answer the question. I'm just dying to know."

[zaire]

So much talking. She never liked drawn out conversations. Anna put his tangent aside and went right for the questions.

"What I want doesn't matter. No."

It was the first direct response to his main question-- no. No, she would not answer him. She couldn't answer something she didn't know.

"You talk too much."

[ i was told to go again 8| ]

[grey]

"Then this is a huge waste of time, and I demand to be let go." He pouted. He couldn't quite understand her dilemma. All she had to do was set him free, that was all, and the point would be proven, wouldn't it? "I'll make it easier for you, opposite side of the coin and that shit. Do you want to keep me here, or do you want to let me go? Simple as that, pick one. Because you sure as hell can't have them both, my body can only take so much of this abuse~"

He was starting to get used to the numbness. Bad sign.

"Come on, Nana, pick one. "

[zubatman]

Even the most elaborate patterns could be simplified to simple clockwork. Bearing rabid lessons of worth and social distinction were coming into play. Anna knew her place and held her ground despite Azel’s persistent pestering. To see her now would flush Fernando with the warmth of accomplishment, an unfamiliar euphoria saved for parent and child. But she was his creation and he was entitled to watch his labor unravel. Push as he might, Azel had pricked himself into a corner he couldn’t escape. Not until he finally reached out to her and broke the walls Fernando toiled on for so long.

“Choose wisely, Anna.”

Fernando wouldn’t have to appeal to her like Azel did. She knew what would happen should she fail. Lessons had taught her that but never did they encompass something so drastic. Overseers weren’t made to participate. Still, Fernando couldn't let this drag on without the security of having a pokeball rolling in his hand, ready to drop.

[zaire]

"You're not in the position to demand."

This was starting to become painful.

Chose wisely? A subtle way of telling her to not fuck up this time.

"I want...to keep you here."

She seemed to test the words on her tongue more than she meant them-- she would live with it. He had an answer.

Fernando wanted to keep him there, surely. That meant she should want the same thing. Should.

Anna was known to drop the occasional lie.

[ make daddy proud. ]

[grey]

... That hadn't been what he wanted to hear. He hung his head with a sigh, closing his eyes as he exhaled in disappointment. Had he been so naive to hope for something else? The simple answer was yes, but he was never one to take being wrong so easily. And it showed by the bitterness on his features.

"You got your answer. That means you win, right?" He directed this to Fernando, a hard expression on his face. "Proved your damn point. Now I really must be going."

[zubatman]

Checkmate.

There was no doubt that Fernando would be the clear victor, whether or not Anna had decided to screw up again. Even in the worst case scenario, the one where she stabbed him in the back, Fernando would come out for the better. There was a plan for everything. Always.

“I don’t lose. Did you think you had a chance?”

Being triumphant was enough. Smearing his expression of perfection was the topping on the cake.

“If you can. Anna’s more capable then I let on.”

[grey]

"I held onto that sliver of hope, yes, turns out I was wrong, what else do I have to say?" He huffed. Rub it more in my face, why don't you. But he knew it was his fault for falling for such odds. He could never stop himself from gambling a little bit, test out the waters with something utterly crazy.

"This wasn't part of the agreement." He murmured, looking away for a moment to hide his expression, facing Anna only when he was ready. Smile was there again when he did. "Nana, if you would release me, that'd be nice and dandy. Unfortunately, I left my bag and pokemon somewhere else, in good faith I might add." He shot Fernando a knowing look, smile turning ashamed for a brief moment before becoming pleasant once more. "I think you've figured out by now that... Well, I'll let Ferns over here do the explaining. But I wanna be far away when that happens."

Partially lies of course, his Kecleon was hovering nearby, invisible until it wanted to appear. Rather, until Azel would turn more desperate.

OoC;; I was told to have a second round

[zaire]

The word 'agreement' was enough to catch her attention-- a fascination that she would keep to herself until she could gather all the information. It did spark a flare of warning, though; a ringing in her head telling her to expect the unexpected.

'I'll be having a guest over...He's already seen you in your undergarments.'

She couldn't remember his words perfectly, but they were enough to raise the red flag. Anna could feel herself becoming colder.

"Faith is useless."

The temptation to wring the blood out of him had returned. His smile made it worse. Azel could only fortify her suspicions as he continued-- his gestures, his speech, his movement. She shot a quick glance at Fernando before her attention returned to the Serperior's prey.

"Tighter."

Lafayette would be more than happy to oblige the command, its body tightening around the human for a second time. It was almost scary how satisfying it was. If you get the chance.

Anna did not have the mind of a murderer. So why did it feel like it?

She hated being toyed with. She could never take her frustration out on Fernando. Too risky. Anna could only stare at her boss as she allowed the serpent to coil around its mouse-- Even if she was the victim of ignorance and idiocy, she would do her best to ride out the wave without wiping out.

[ my Muse is all over here, herpsorry ]