I don't want to be saved

Nesta

The sound of laughter filled the air as utensils scraped against plates. Wine glasses clinked as celebrations were shared amongst the gathered. Nesta watched the men laugh and make jokes at each other, a warmth spreading in her chest. This was the Cassano family she knew. A family that joked and ate Sunday dinner together. Papa would be seated at the head of the table, Amadeo to his right, Elio to his left. Nesta left to sit beside Amadeo. And the chair at the foot left empty, as it had been for the past 12 years. Mama's seat had been left vacant since her sudden passing, no one wanting to disrespect her memory.
Papa was talking about something that Nesta had deigned unimportant, maybe a meeting with the Russians or something. Whatever it was, it would not involve her. At least until she heard the words "marriage" and "Nesta" in the same sentence. No. No. No! Anything but that!

The memory faded away into nothing, her family's laughter quieting into silence. It felt as if someone had opened a trap door beneath her and she was falling into the unknown. Nesta was afraid of what was coming, of what her father had planned for her. But none of that mattered now, she thought as she opened her eyes to see a lush jungle. Gone was the view of her bedroom and the Chicago skyline. Now, there was dirt and plants.

"What the fuck happened?" Nesta grumbled as she sat up, brown eyes looking around the ruins. The tropical vegetation that crept over the weathered stone resembled fingers, grasping at anything to get closer to the sun. Despite the eerie beauty of the place, Nesta couldn't shake off the anxiety that welled within her. It made her skin prickle and her heart pound against her ribcage. Yet she couldn't quite pinpoint what was making her feel this way. Honey brown eyes flickered up to the shadows of the ruins then the jungle around her, the feeling of being watched overwhelming her thoughts. Maybe something was out there, just like when she and her brothers decided to break into the abandoned factory in Papa's district. "I know you're out there." She grumbled, preparing to fight whatever came at her.

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Malric

It felt like days that he'd been traveling through the land of ruins. But maybe only hours. Or minutes. How the hell was he supposed to know? This place was a maze.

A barren land. Dust traveled and trailed him with each step. At least now he had more secure feet beneath him, carrying his mass and increasing his pace. Slow was not his preference, especially when a goal was to be met. Staying in place was not an option. Not unless he found the one place he would make home.

It took great attention to notice the flare of brush in the distance. A snapping branch and a rustle of leaves. Someone was here.

Crouching low, he waited. Impatient, but curious enough to stop and watch. This land seemed incapable of harboring life other than his own. But maybe he wasn't the only foolish enough to wander in a place such as this. Or unlucky enough to waken here.

"I know you're out there."

A voice. Someone was definitely there. But they knew he was there too.

Like a shadow emerging from the depths, his mass flattened the terrain below, feet crunching against earth. Nostrils flaring, he took in the small form in the distance. Wolf. No threat, as he assumed. But that could change.

Careful, calculating steps carried him closer, eyes boring into the figure of the unknown.

His voice refused to give in. To give away whatever they were seeking. He would only watch, for now. Perhaps listen, should they speak more. But until it felt less of a waste, he would give little care, aside from feeding his curiosity. This was the first entity of life he'd encountered so far. Maybe it would be a fruitful discovery. Or maybe not. Only time would tell.

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Nesta

The distinctive crunch of leaves had her whirling around, a soft growl slipping from her lips. Nesta may be on the smaller side, but she wouldn't let that stop her from defending herself. The woman allowed her eyes to sweep along the treeline, searching for a sign of life. Her skin prickled, and she knew that someone, something was observing her from the shadows. Nesta could hear her brothers in her head, telling her to keep fighting. To find a way out of here and survive. And Nesta would survive, just like the Cassano family always did. They were survivors, she was a survivor. And this wouldn't stop her from moving forward.

After some thought, Nesta decided to take a different approach. Nesta shrank in on herself, making herself appear more fragile, weak. "You wouldn't think of leaving a lady out here, would you?" Nesta hoped this would lure the stranger out. Most couldn't ignore the sound of a helpless woman, and Nesta would play the role for as long as she needed to get out of here. Maybe she could get them to take care of her until she figured out where she was.

skill ; escort & trickster

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Malric · #4 01-12-2025, 09:18 PM

Peculiar. That was all this scene was.

First, she acted mighty. Tough. Demanding. But now? Small. Demure. Helpless.

A trickster. And oh, how he hated her type.

"You wouldn't think of leaving a lady out here, would you?"

She was baiting him. That much was obvious. But he wasn't an easy fish to catch. He wouldn't bite the lure, now matter how delicious it sounded.

Snorting, he emerged carefully from the brush, broad shoulders rolling to appease the protesting ache from standing still so long. “You don't seem all that ladylike,” He taunted without care, voice gravelly, and piercing gaze distrustful.

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Nesta

Now that her stalker had made his appearance, Nesta simply looked at him. Why do they always have to be attractive? She hated the fact that she had to lift her head to look at him, and that he didn't look the least bit interested. Though she refused to admit it, it did hit her ego a bit. But that little remark stroked the flame that was burning within her. And with a small smirk, she decided it was time for some revenge.

Batting her lashes, Nesta sashayed closer to the shadow cloaked man, head slightly tilted. "Maybe that's because your idea of 'ladylike' is far too small to contain me." Nesta sneered as she came within a foot of the man. A sweet smile graced her features as she looked up at the stranger, an innocent expression falling over her face. Nesta would play this game of his as long as she came out on top. "But don't worry your pretty little head about that. Now tell me, why were you creeping around?"

skill ; escort & trickster

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Malric · #6 Content Warning 01-13-2025, 12:32 AM