Cruel Beauty

Moth to a Flame

When the Baroness gets home you wait for her with a glass of wine. 'Hello love.' the Baroness tosses her handbag onto a nearby table. 'Oh, you read my mind.' she approaches you taking the glass and sipping. 'The designs are secure I have been adding last-minute touches to...why are you looking at me like that?' she frowns. 'Just had a little discovery today when I was watching over things.' you look smug. Victoria quirks an eyebrow, you take the pin out of your pocket showing it to her. 'What is that?' a small crinkle appears on her brow. 'The pin, from the hinge in your vault, Estella took it, I saw her.' you sound triumphant. The Baroness thinks for a moment. 'I imagine it was some sort of a mistake.' Your smile drops. 'Victoria, I saw her, she removed the pin, she is trying to sabotage the show I wouldn't be surprised if she is in cahoots with Cruella.' The Baroness thinks for a moment then shakes her head. 'Cruella is a character with no brand, Estella would not betray me for that. I made her, I have given her everything betraying me? It would all go away.' You frown. 'Why are you so blinded by that girl?!' The Baroness pinches the bridge of her nose. 'Not this again, I have assured you there is nothing more than my admiration for her work, I have told you how I feel in my heart.' she sets the glass down and goes to touch your arm.

You pull from her touch. 'Yes, you told me how you feel, and yet you have become more distant than ever I can't even remember when we last...you know.' Victoria is hurt when you refuse her touch and for a moment is confused with what you mean, then blushes. 'So, you are telling me that you are throwing a tantrum because we have not engaged in intimacy?' she levels. You roll your eyes. 'No, I'm throwing a tantrum because I am telling you that you can not trust Estella but you won't see it because you won't take off the protegee love goggles! Also, I am not throwing a tantrum!' you shout. Victoria blinks and purses her lips. 'Well, you are currently screaming at me in my own dining room when I am not even five minutes home from work.' This doesn't make you any happier. 'Are you going to listen to what I am telling you or not?!' you demand. Victoria sighs. 'Yn, listen, please, I really don't think-' You throw the pin at her and she flinches it bounces off of her shoulder. 'Why-' you take a step forward and she takes a step back you see the fear in her eyes. You realise things have gotten entirely too heated and she is frightened of you. 'I...I think I will give you some time to cool off.' She turns and leaves, you hear her heels click as she walks away and instructs John to bring her tea.

Victoria does have pause for thought, what if Estella was plotting to sabotage her? It seemed unlikely, the Baroness was Estella's meal ticket. Perhaps...perhaps it was all some sort of scam, come to think of it that security guard looked shifty and those maids...Victoria shakes her head as she takes the wrap from her hair John knocks and enters placing her tea on the table. 'Baroness.' he inclines his head, then leaves. She knows she is being paranoid but you making silly assumptions about Cruella isn't helping matters any. Sitting down she sips her tea and then decides to retire for the night, to her dismay you do not join her in bed. You pace downstairs burning with irritation and rage, it is time for Estella to get the hell out of both of your lives. Ever since that upstart arrived it has been one thing after another. You know you should have controlled your temper earlier, and you definitely should not have frightened her. It was never your intention you would never treat her like HE did. You want Cruella gone, you want Estella gone, and you want your lover to take better care of herself. Victoria refuses to address the matter but it is no secret you know she is still vomiting her food up. With a sigh, you eventually head upstairs assuming she will be asleep but instead, the en suite light is on and surprise, surprise, she's throwing up again.

Deciding that enough is enough you leave and go to House of Baroness, it's the middle of the night but you don't care. If Cruella intends to strike, or if Estella has something nefarious planned you need to be at least 12 steps ahead of both of them. You patrol the fashion house and search for anyways in which anyone could try to mess with your girl's show. You sit down in the darkness closing your eyes. 'Yn?' you startle when you hear John and you blink realising it is now morning. 'Mhm?' you stretch. 'Did you sleep here?' John frowns. 'Yes, just wanted to keep an eye on things and make sure that nothing else went wrong. 'Is Victoria here?' John looks stressed, oh, she is here alright. You head downstairs and see she is already in full swing barking orders this makes you smile. Victoria looks up to see you but shows no emotion and instead signals for John to join her. John heads downstairs and you sigh as you watch them vanish under the arch together. 'When Estella arrives, escort her to my office and hold her there.' The Baroness instructs her valet they stop at the stairs. 'Very good. Although I think you're wrong. It's not her.' John responds. 'I understand yn may have thought she was up to something but I checked that vault myself it is fine.' Victoria ignores him. 'Do I pay you for your opinions or for your obedience?' she snaps. 'Well, are you asking my opinion?' the valet quips causing her to shoot him a look. 'I'll see it's done.' Victoria thinks for a moment. 'Actually, John bring her to me, now.'