𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀 | 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐨

𖤓𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟬𝟭 - 𝗛𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𖤓

Darkness engulfed even the smallest of corners of the office, the Snezhnayan cold sneaking through the bolted windows, interrupting the little comfort the room was able to provide. Above the dusty, rotting desk stood a lamp, it's light barely visible as it flickered in and out of existence. The chair weeped as the sitting figure fixed his posture, his hands clasped above his lap and his chin held high in the air. Long, ebony locks of hair draped over his shoulders, threads made out of the finest of silks as it spread across like a sacred mantle. The thousands of chains attached to his attire clinked softly with each slight movement he made, a vague glow pouring from the trinkets as it reflected the lamp's dying light. Within the confinements of darkness, his figure blended with ease, limbs clad in pitch black armor, prohibiting any signs of life from slipping through the cracks.

In front of him, the star sat with her legs crossed, her arms hugging her figure as she stiffened before his presence. Manicured fingers would cling tightly to the merlot shawl wrapped around her arms, her gaze lowered to avoid staring into the abyss of his headgear. She trembled slightly, whether it was because of his suffocating presence or the freezing air around them, he wasn't sure. But, as the woman shivered on that small, squeaky chair, he couldn't help but to eye her dainty figure, how insignificant she truly was before him. He found some kind of endearment in such a thing, wanting to observe her more, peel the layers around her complex existence until she laid bare in front of him.

"Are you cold?" He inquired, watching how she would snap her eyes up to meet his hidden gaze before quickly looking down once more. She appeared to hug herself tighter, the slit of her dress shifting above her thighs until it revealed a marvelous view of the flesh beneath. Smooth and firm, almost tempting him to lean forward to take a better peak.

"I'm fine. Thank you for asking, my Lord." She muttered, squirming on her chair, clearly uncomfortable in the position he had brought her in. Strangely enough, he didn't feel remorse. On the contrary, he wanted to know more. See what other expressions he could coerce out of her.

"Do you enjoy your work?" The Captain asked, another question that had her fidgeting uncomfortably. The so-called Estheria nodded her head, for once, lifting her eyes to lock gazes with the harbinger.

"I adore it. Every second of it, Lord Harbinger." She responded, a sudden spark set ablaze within her irises as she kept firm on her answer. It was admirable really, watching such a fragile being, capable of shattering right beneath his fingertips, offer such promise and vigor. Raw determination at its finest.

"I can tell," Capitano spoke, before tilting his head to the side. "You have a wonderful voice, miss..?"

"Estheria. My name is Estheria."

"...Ah. Estheria..." He repeated the name, almost as if he were chewing and processing the word before nodding in understanding. Unfortunately, despite her confident response, the harbinger was still unable to believe her words.

"If I may... why was I brought here, my Lord? Did I do something wrong to upset the Tsaritsa?" Estheria questioned, knitting her brows in a tight frown as she glanced around the gloomy space around them. Such dusty and desolate place would surely serve as the perfect graveyard for her body to be disposed of.

"No, you have not," He shook his head. "Would you care for some tea, miss Estheria?" The Captain offered, enjoying how the woman would widen her eyes a bit in shock.

"I don't think-

"You decline the offer of a harbinger?" He interjected, quick to ensnare the poor star who immediately apologized. A dirty card for him to play, but effective, nonetheless. "Would chamomile tea be to your liking?"

"Yes. Of course."

The First's men spared no time; they came in with two cups of warm tea and left without mumbling a single word. A simple salute was exchanged between them and their superior before stepping outside the office to give them some privacy. Letting the tea sit on his desk for a moment, the Captain observed as the woman took hold of the cup and brought it next to her lips, carefully tasting the tea before gaining the courage to take a bigger sip. She maintained eye contact with him, or so she believed, as she swallowed the drink, allowing the tea to warm and soothe her senses.