Absinthe (Haikyuu Vampire AU X OC)

River

A month before Barren Falls requested assistance from the Vampire Kingdoms:

"Keishin," River pleads, "there has to be another way."

Standing in the chamber of her rooms, Ukai frowned at the younger woman. Ever since he entered her chambers, he had a hard time focusing with the clothes she was wearing. His eyes dipped to her bare stomach, her white blouse stopping above the navel.

Sighing, Ukai found himself running his hand through his hair. Something he does often around the brunette. "You know I can't do anything here, River." Even with his hair band, his locks became mused.

"Why?" She snapped as she tapped her foot with her hands on her hips. "You know the easiest solution to the problem." The motion made Ukai glance to her legs. The pale blue fabric was tight on her hips. Becoming loose on her legs, the cuff tightened at her calves.

He looked at her as if she had two heads, "You know I can't do that."

"Why?" She asked again, this time with less force behind it. She was beginning to break.

Stepping closer, Ukai reached for her. Knowing it was pointless to fight or shrug away from him, River closed her eyes as she moved into his embrace. While he didn't want to see River upset, he needed her to understand there was nothing he, nor anyone, could do about the situation. His cream colored shirt was soft against her cheek as she rested it against his chest.

"He's a good man," Ukai murmured as he lay his chin on her head, "He'll take care of you. He'll be good to you, like you deserve. Better than I can."

River scoffed, "Isn't that for me to decide?" Her words were slightly muffled by Ukai's bicep that wrapped around her neck.

As he pulled back, he gave another heavy sigh. "You know these things are preordained."

"No it wasn't," she began, "father is simply trying to get an heir out of this deal. Because he doesn't want me ruling. He's in the frame of mind that a woman cannot control a kingdom."

There were a few things that River was adamant about. Maybe passionate about? Ukai wasn't sure what word to use to describe it, but she was definitely heated. Politics. Mostly when it came to women having a say in anything. Her brothers death. And lastly: Vampires. It was best to avoid being in the same room with River and her father if any of those subjects came up.

Placing a hand on her cheek, Ukai smiled softly, "He worries about you," they both knew it was a lie. "I worry about you." That might be true. Didn't help River feel any better about the situation. "Please, Doll, for me, don't make this evening into a fight with your father."

Pouting, River said, "If it will make you happy."

Ukai smirked, "You make me happy."

"Lady River- oh! Forgive me!" The door that had quickly swung open without a word was slammed closed.

As Ukai shook his head, he stepped away. River was rather displeased with the interruption. There was a soft knock as Ukai walked for the door. River made her way to the chaise at the end of her bed. Sitting dramatically, she waited for Ukai to open the door.

Ukai smiled as he stepped aside, allowing the woman to enter. She bowed as Ukai left the room, pulling the door closed behind him. Bowing deeply, she waited for River to acknowledge her.

"What is it, Penny?" River looked at the petite blonde.

Penny's bobbed hair flopped as she stood straight, "Forgive me, Lady-" She stopped as River waved her hand.

"I'm assuming you're here to help me get ready for the dinner. Yes?"

It wasn't that River didn't like Penny. River didn't like Penny's job. Penny was always the one her father sent to get her dressed for events. She always made River look like the princess she was supposed to. Not the princess she wanted to be.

"Yes, Lady River." Penny smiled.

Standing, River pursed her lips, "Must you be so perky about it?"

Giddy now, Penny nearly skipped to River, "You're beautiful everyday, Lady River," River rolled her eyes playfully, "but I cannot wait to see how stunning you are this evening."

"Come on then," River walked to the vanity, "let's get this over with." While her words were harsh, River's reflection showed a wide smile on her face.

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River frowned as she smoothed the skirt of her dress. Penny beamed cheerfully as she touched up River's hair. The two were stark contrasts of one another as they stood before the mirror. The short blonde was smiling wide as she hummed softly. The taller brunette scowled as she watched her friend in the reflection.

"You're enjoying this," Penny cut her eyes upward to look at River in the mirror. "Aren't you?"

Standing straight, Penny looped her arm into River's. "It's like playing dress up with a life sized doll." River shook her head. "I can't wait to see his face."

"My future husband?" River spoke dryly.

"Your father, silly!" That didn't help River's mood. "Now then," Penny headed for the door, "I'll find Advisor Ukai to escort you."

River lifted her hand as Penny walked into the hallway. She left her fingers trace the lace of the mask around her eyes before she dropped them to her lips. They were painted a deep burgundy color. The dark colors of her makeup were striking against her pale complexion. The dress was the same dark coloring. Burgundy and black.

"You're breathtaking, Doll." Dropping her hands at the sound of his voice, River looked over her shoulder at Keishin. "Don't look at me like that." He spoke as he approached her.

River turned while Ukai reached for her waist. With his free hand, Keishin traced River's cheek with his fingertips. His eyes scanned her face and chest. The black lace fabric covered her arms before coming together at her neck. The neckline was accented by a black broach. Her décolletage was free of any covering, leaving her cleavage open for the public to see.

"Doll," River repeated. "You and Penny both treat me as though I'm nothing but a pretty thing to play with."

Ukai hated the way River spoke when she was like this. "You know that's not true, River." He lifted her chin to make her look at him. "Penny may enjoy dressing you up," River tilted her head slightly, "I assure you, I prefer undressing you."

Annoyed and already sexually frustrated from before, River stepped away from Ukai. "We'll be late."

Stoic mask on, Ukai held out his arm, "We can't have the Princess late to her own party," River accepted his arm, "now can we?"