The Guild of the Forsaken

CHAPTER 19 - Cry Me A River

!TW; Blood, torture!

Creep - Radiohead

September 14th 2024

NORTHERN PINDUS MOUNTAINS

"First, let us have a drink."

Truth be told, the first thing Marinette's cold stare had locked onto upon entering the rather spacious office was the glass cupboard full of bottles. Holding various amounts of amber liquid in them.

In the back of her mind, she had been debating which one to choose, always picky with her choices she decided on a brandy. Not that Akeno knew that. She sincerely hoped he wouldn't mind her stealing his supply.

But if he complained she was tempted to cut off his tongue. Afterall, he had nearly done it to her before. Another one of his little experiments.

Feeling herself being pulled away by her thoughts she slaps her hands on the armrests of the leather desk chair and lifts herself up. Meandering over to the glass cabinet she secretly observes how Akeno's pale eyes never leave Catherine's trembling body.

Crouching down she opens the door of the sizeable cabinet and runs her eyes over the array of bottles. Frowning when she sees some of them are half empty, "I see you have been busy," Marinette mumbles raising an eyebrow at Akeno. He makes no move to respond.

Reaching a hand, she grabs a bottle of Rémy Martian XO. Surprisingly its one of the only full bottles. Most likely he didn't wish to waste the expensive drink. Smirking she stands and swipes a crystal glass from the array that sits atop the cabinet.

She removes the topper and delicately pours the brown liquid. For how deadly her hands are she cradles the bottle like one would a new-born child.

Once she has graciously poured herself a generous amount she places down the bottle and wraps her hand around her glass. Pulling it to her already parted lips she takes a small sip allowing the smell of the drink to enhance the taste of the sharp but sweet alcohol.

Releasing a sigh she nods stiffly to the multiples, "sit her down, and bind her hands to the armrests."

They follow her directions immediately and wordlessly. Akeno can only watch Catherine, and Marinette watches him.

Catherine makes little noise as she is ushered to the seat and her hands bound with tight rope to the chair. Marinette wonderfully catches the bittersweet moment when Catherine's emerald stare meets Akeno's own pale one. A tear rolls down her cheek.

Admiring it Marinette notices how it is delicate much like the woman's features as her eyes move in and out of focus.

Chuckling Marinette takes another sip of her drink and emphasises the lick of her lips once the liquid disappears down her throat. "Well how the tables have so graciously turned..."

Everyone is silent, everyone is tense.

Akeno clenches his jaw as he does his fists. Clearly trying to hold himself back. 'Good' Marinette thinks, he knows his place. Allowing her boots to thump against the hardwood floor she moves to stand to the left of the trembling Catherine.

Clapping her hands both pairs of eyes turn to her, she smirks internally.

"So, this is how it is going to go," She points a finger at Axel. "You are going to tell me where the dragonfly Miraculi is."

Marinette moves her hand towards Catherine's head and wraps a finger around a bouncing brown curl. She toys with it in her hand, "and if you refuse to answer or lie to me..." she allows her fangs curtesy of Plagg to protrude as she moves her finger to trail down Catherine's arm.