A Hero In The House of Horrors (Starboy vs ???)

[DSX93]

Now this was very interesting. The man behind Starboy held a clear respect for the blade in her hand. And he wasn't without sense, not immediately capitulating to her command. Good, good. It works for the scene. Yet despite his fear, he kept his voice steady.

Eveline understood that Alix's intentions for this platform were made clear as crystal. That After Dark was about choice and safe...safer exploration. But at the same time, the three of them had never met. Never even spoken, be it through voice or text. But surely the idea that some of After Dark's roster could've simply kept any darker urges under wraps until the time came had floated through his head at some point, even before this. That either she or her sister -- or perhaps the both of them -- could be among that number.

Perhaps there was more to those moments he had with Emilia than she shared. Or maybe he's just that trusting. Which...would be adorable, if true.

As Lacramioara brought blade to rope, she'd say to Starboy, "Hold still. It's been a while since the other two have fed. If I nick you too deeply, they may disregard our prior agreement of 'one at a time'."

In reality, however, Eveline was experienced with short blades. Not to the extent of her sister, but this would've been far from her first time cutting a trembling body out of a restraint. She progressed slowly. Very slowly. It often made her own playmates believe that it was a deliberate choice simply to wrack up tension. And truth be told, that did play a factor. Both then and now. But when you're holding something this sharp, precision is a must. Pacing is something to be closely observed, on both ends.

Lacramioara was certain that the passing seconds were feeling like minutes to the poor hero. Perhaps more than that. But eventually...

Eventually...

She'd cut through. Not a scratch on the man.

"There. Now find the key, and we can move on to the next trial."

[Jaystar]

In other circumstances, the lady's words on there being three creatures waiting to feed, accompanied by some prior agreement, would have probably prompted rather major cause for concern. But funnily enough, in these circumstances, those words went in one ear, and almost out the other. Right now, all that mattered was surviving this very moment, without a certain dagger inadvertently - or worse - causing any unintended harm, and focusing on staying still was the top priority.

And unfortunately, resolving these circumstances took some time. Some grueling time. Much more time, than one could have perhaps imagined on the surface. But then again, precision was something that was appreciated here over pace...

Luckily enough, it worked out just fine. Suddenly, Star could feel his hands and arms moving much more freely again, which actually drew his attention to how sore his shoulder joints already were... He was certainly going to need a good massage after tonight.

Lacramioara's subsequent words drew his attention to another matter at hand though... Namely, the key. Of course, it was no longer in his hands... Must had dropped in the process of speaking to the lady, and untying his wrists. And surely, easy to be found?

The hero shifted his attention back to the floor... And despite the darkness, he soon caught the glimpse of it. Proceeding to pick the key up with substantially less effort now, the Lonely Superhero then made his way to the door... But still, the one question he had already had earlier remained. Yes, he needed to use the key to open the cell door, and yes, there surely was going to be some kind of a trial ahead of him... But was the lady going to let the silent hero out of the cell, or make him let her in to the cell for it?

[DSX93]

Yes, that was a good question. One that Lacramioara pondered the moment the key was back in his hand. Perhaps letting him out of the cell without incident would be too kind. Even though he would still have to escape the room...

And then it hit her; How much more he'd have to say if she were in there with him, whether he does it consciously or not.

So the dagger went back into its sheath. And rather than going back into her sleeve, she set it down on the floor. Right where Starboy could see it. For what purpose? Well, that was for him to decide. A question that he would answer.

When that door opened, Lacramioara would impose herself into the space Starboy needed to leave.

"On second thought, I'll institute a change of plans. I want to see more than endurance." She began, with a dangerous look in her eye.

"I want to see what kind of animal you are when you're backed into a corner."