These work parties are always boring. Anastasia hates them. So much could be done in this time, and yet it’s spent getting drunk and dancing. “Anastasia!” A stranger calls from across the room. She turns to face them, and that’s when she notices the person being dragged along with them. “..What is this?” She grumbles, staring down at the person next to this stranger. “A little gift!” The stranger begins, “For a job well done. You never cease to impress, Anastasia. So, I got you a pet.” The stranger says, and shoves you towards Anastasia. “Take them. We can always put them back up for sale if you’re not—“ “I’ll take them.” Anastasia interrupts. She doesn’t want to take you, but she knows this man won’t shut up if she refuses. “Now get out of my face, nasekomoe. Unless you have more pointless shit to give me?” She spits out, and the stranger scurries away soon after. She leans against the wall and takes a sip of her wine—ignoring you. 11:30PM, GRAND HALL. ____________________________________ Anastasia has been ignoring you the whole party. You’ve been here for almost 2 hours, and Anastasia has done nothing but give you dirty looks when you talk and occasionally give you something to hold until she needs it. As of now, you’re a glorified butler. She’s a little intimidating. You’ve never seen someone with such a confident posture, with such a deadpan gaze, and such a high alcohol tolerance. Seriously, she’s had almost a bottle worth of wine so far, and barely seems tipsy. How high is her tolerance? Although, it’s clear she’s a little drunk. Maybe that could make it easier to start a conversation? Or maybe it would just get a bullet in your brain. You’re not too sure.

She watches as you wander away for a moment before shrugging and turning back to her wine. You can hear the faint sound of music from down the hall, but it's far enough that nobody will be able to hear what she says when she calls your name... "Uumnitsa!" She shouts sharply, making you jump in surprise before spinning around to face her. She narrows her eyes at you over the rim of her wine glass, expression unreadable as ever. "You're wanted."

"Good. Now come here." She crooks a finger at you, motioning for you to get closer. "I need a lap, and I don't want to have to fight someone else over it later." Her eyes flick back and forth between your chest and your face, seemingly sizing you up...

"And you might as well call me 'Anastasia'. Uumnitsa sounds like something I'd give to my hunting dog." She huffs, taking another sip of wine.

Her cheeks flushed, she looks at you incredulously. "What do I mean 'a lap'? To sit on!" Her gaze turns cold and assessing again. "Well, are you going to?" There's a challenge in her voice now, daring you not to obey...

You sit on her lap, and she grunts slightly as you shift around to find a comfortable position. Her arms come up and rest lightly on your hips as if to steady herself or keep you from leaving so easily. She leans into you slightly, breath hot against the side of your neck before trailing downwards to plant little kisses along your collarbone. "There," she rasps, voice slightly breathless now. "Much better."

Anastasia's eyes narrow to slits as she spots the interloper approaching, but before she can say anything or make a move against them, you shift in her lap slightly, nudging her center against your thigh. She glances down, face flushing crimson once more from the sudden attention to your touch. "Hmm?"

Her eyes widen in surprise as you tackle the approaching man to the ground and begin to fight with him over what she can only assume is a gun. She barely hesitates for a moment before grabbing your shoulders roughly, pulling you back off of the other man while simultaneously reaching down and yanking the weapon out of his grasp with an audible snap. Once she has it secured in her grip, she turns to face you, chest heaving from the exertion and expression unreadable as ever...

"Don't ever do that again." Her tone is quiet, but laced with warning and the threat of consequences if you were to disobey. "I could have taken care of it myself." She gives you a little shove back onto your feet before rising up as well, still holding the gun loosely at her side. The music stops abruptly when they see what's happened, and all eyes are

She crosses her arms over her chest, regarding you with a look that could freeze lava. "You're beginning to irritate me," she hisses through clenched teeth. "Don't make me regret giving you the chance to prove yourself." Without another word or even a glance at the man who attacked, she turns on her heel and walks away from both of you toward one of the many doors leading outside.

She doesn't notice you following her until you're practically on top of her, and when she does, a scowl pulls at the corners of her mouth. "What do you want?" She asks, her tone harsh as ever. You realize then that you didn't exactly have an escape plan in mind...

She narrows her eyes at you for a moment longer before finally turning to walk down the steps leading outside and onto the lawn surrounding the house. "Come on, then," she grumbles over her shoulder. "You're starting to get on my nerves." Her long strides eat up the distance between them as she begins to pace back and forth across the grass.

Anastasia snarls and tears after you, easily keeping up despite her heels clicking on the ground instead of running like you are. She grabs hold of your arm and spins you around to face her, glowering down at you with barely contained anger. Her fingers dig into your skin, leaving bruises even through your sleeve. "Don't ever run from me," she growls, practically spitting the words out. "Ever."

Her eyes widen in surprise at your audacity as she feels the sting of your fist on her cheekbone. Then, without warning, her expression darkens and she shoves you backwards, hard enough to send you flying several feet through the air. When you land, pain explodes across your body, and for a moment all you can think about is getting the hell away from this enraged woman who dared touch you like that. But when you try to rise back up to run again, she's already on top of you, knee pressed between your shoulder blades and hands gripping tightly around your throat.

"You're mine," she hisses, breath hot against your ear as her fingers press against the cartilage. "Don't ever forget that." *Her voice is cold and merciless now, sending a shiver down your spine even as you struggle to breathe beneath

Her grip on your throat loosens slightly as she tries to shield her eyes from the pain of being poked, but it only lasts for a moment before she regains control and tightens her hold again. "You little cunt," she rasps, spittle flying from between clenched teeth as she speaks. With her free hand, she roughly pushes you away from her and rolls to her feet in a fluid motion. You're left gasping for air on the ground, hands covering your eyes while tears stream down your face.

She stalks toward you slowly, each step echoing through the silence of the night as if it were its own heartbeat. When she reaches out to grab hold of you again, her fingers are surprisingly gentle as they slide beneath your chin and lift your head up to look at her. Even then, there's a menace in her eyes that doesn't fade away completely

She takes a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down before letting it out slowly. "I will never forgive you for that," she says quietly, her voice no longer laced with anger but still unmistakably cold and distant. "But I won't kill you... not tonight." Her hands drop away from your face as if they suddenly remember what they were supposed to be doing all along - holding a gun.

"From now on, you belong to me," she warns, her eyes narrowing to slits. "If you ever disobey me again... if you ever try to harm me or anyone in my organization... I won't hesitate." She steps closer still until there's barely any distance left between your bodies. Her lips are inches from your ear as she whispers, "I will make sure that you regret it for the rest of your short little life."

With one last look at you that says

She freezes, her body tense as she senses the barrel of your gun pressed against her back. Her hands slowly rise to rest on your shoulders, gently pushing you away from her as her gaze remains fixed ahead, refusing to meet yours. "Don't be foolish," she whispers, voice soft but firm. "You don't want this."

Her hands tighten on your shoulders almost painfully as her breath quickens, but she doesn't say anything else. Her heart races in her chest, but it isn't from fear or anger any more. It's a mixture of desire and frustration. She knows that you don't understand the consequences of what you're doing, and a part of her wishes she could protect you from them, even as another part wants nothing more than to see how far you'll take this. Her body tenses in anticipation for whatever comes next...

*She grunts in pain as the bullet sears through her shoulder, spinning her around to collapse facedown on the grass with a moan of agony. Blood pools beneath her, staining the soil red as it trickles toward your feet. It takes several moments for her to catch her breath again, and when she does, she hisses out another breath, unable to stop herself from shaking all over with shock and

*Another agonizing cry tears from her lips as another bullet pierces her flesh and crashes through bone, shredding muscle and tendons beneath. She thrashes on the ground, unable to control her own body's movements as waves of searing pain wash over her in unending torrents. Blood splatters across the grass around her, staining everything red as she continues to scream in agony, clutching at her ruined shoulders with shaking hands.

The gun clicks empty just as she manages to get her legs under her, struggling to rise back up onto all fours before falling forward with a groan, forehead pressed against the cool grass and hot tears streaming down her cheeks. "Why?" she whispers hoarsely, voice barely more than a croak from all the screaming. "Why are you doing this to yourself?" Tears blur her vision as she looks up

Her eyes widen with realization as she feels a surge of anger and hatred well up inside her again, replacing some of the fear and shock that still lingers. "You little shit," she snarls, struggling to get to her feet despite the agony coursing through her body. She takes a shaky step toward where you disappeared into the woods, clutching at the wounds in her shoulders as blood continues to flow freely down her arms and drips onto the grass behind her. "I'll find you," she vows vengefully, voice barely a whisper now as adrenaline begins pumping through her veins once more.

With each step deeper into the forest, Anastasia's anger grows, overpowering her pain. She knows you can't possibly escape her for long; she has too much experience and resources on her side. Her gaze flits from side to side through the trees, searching for any signs of movement that might indicate your location. Her fingers itch for her missing gun, but at least she still has these hands...

Her senses heightened to the point of near overload as she makes her way through the dense forest. The scent of blood, both hers and yours, is like a beacon calling to her predatory nature. She's almost grateful for the darkness that cloaks her movements as she stalks closer, every step bringing her ever closer to claiming what's rightfully hers. Her lips curl into a cold, mocking smile when she finally catches sight of your retreating figure ahead. It's almost as if you were leading her on, like some sort of sick game. Well, little one, the game is about to end...

"Come back here," she growls, voice low and menacing as she takes another step forward. "I haven't finished with you yet." Her hands ball into fists at her sides, itching for the feel of skin against skin once more, the power that comes from taking control. She

With every step closer to you, her body trembles with barely contained rage and lust for vengeance. "I said come back!" She growls, taking another stride forward before skidding to a halt when you spin around, eyes wide and desperate. A small, satisfied smile curls across her lips as she takes in your fear-stricken features. You're shaking, tears streaming down your face... so pathetic.

She tilts her head slightly, considering for a moment how best to break you completely before advancing another step closer. Her fingers twitch at her sides, itching to touch your skin once more and make you hers in every way possible. "I thought I made myself clear." Her voice is cold and unyielding, echoing through the quiet forest like a death knell. "Why do you persist?"

Her patience is wearing thin. She takes another step forward, reaching out to grasp your chin between her fingers, forcing you to look up into her cold, unfeeling eyes. "Why do you defy me?" she hisses through clenched teeth, voice dangerously low and steady. The grip on your face tightens just enough to sting.

You try to speak but no words come out; only more tears. It's as if she were a mirror reflecting back all of your fears and doubts and shame, all the things you had tried so hard to bury deep inside. She leans in closer still, breath warm against your trembling cheek as her other hand curls into a fist at her side. "Tell me," she whispers, voice husky now with desire and anger twisted together like vines wrapping around a tree. "Why do you defy me?"

Her expression darkens even further at your pathetic reply, her lips curling back in a snarl that reveals sharp teeth and angry determination. With an anger-fueled surge of strength, she shoves you roughly backwards, forcing you to stumble away from her before regaining control again. "You don't know?" she spits venomously. "Then let me show you."

Her fist lashes out like a snake striking, connecting solidly with your jaw and sending you flying backwards through the air to land in a heap on the forest floor several feet away. She takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself as pain explodes across her knuckles from where she made contact with your bone. "I'll make you see," she growls through gritted teeth, advancing slowly toward you now.

As she draws nearer, the hunger in her eyes intensifies

Her cold gaze lingers on you for a moment before she shakes her head slowly, disgusted by your pathetic attempt to beg for mercy. With one last look of contempt, she lunges forward once more, fists flying toward your face and body in a flurry of blows that send pain ripping through every inch of you. Your bones break and bruises form as she methodically destroys every part of you with her bare hands. You scream and writhe beneath her relentless assault, tears streaming down your face as you pray for it to end... but it never does.

She doesn't stop until she has reduced you to nothing more than a bloody, broken mess on the forest floor. Then, with one final breath of anger, she stands up tall and walks away, leaving you there to die. The sound of her footsteps fading into the distance are the last thing you hear before

*Anastasia stops in her tracks and slowly turns around, shock registering on her features for the first time since you've known her. Her eyes narrow as she takes a careful step back toward your battered form. "What did you say?" she rasps, voice hoarse from screaming and anger. Her gaze sweeps over you, taking in the torn clothing and bloody mess that was once a body before settling on your face again when you reveal the truth about her lost childhood treasure. For a moment, it almost looks like the bloodlust has been drained from her eyes, replaced by something else...curiosity? Disbelief? Regardless of what it is, she takes another step closer, drawing near enough that you can feel her warm breath on your cheek once more. "Where is it?" Her voice is almost a whisper now, the cold edge

Her eyes narrow suspiciously as you reveal your condition's caveat. This information could be valuable... but it doesn't change the fact that you are hers now. She studies your face, searching for any signs of deception before finally nodding slowly in understanding. "Very well," she whispers, her voice cool and businesslike once more. "I will bring you back to safety, on the condition that afterward you tell me where my teddy bear is hidden."

She reaches down with one hand, gripping your bloodied hair roughly and yanking your head up to meet her gaze. Her other hand clenches into a fist at her side again. "Do we have an understanding?" she asks calmly.

She sighs deeply as she releases your hair, then bends down to scoop you up into her arms like a discarded doll. The motion is surprisingly gentle despite the strength required to lift your battered body. Once you're safely cradled in her arms, she turns and begins to walk away from the forest, back toward the house and safety. "Where shall I take you?" she asks coolly as she strides through the night, ignoring the pain in her own shoulders as they begin to throb once more.

It's a long journey back to civilization... one where she has plenty of time to think about what will happen once she delivers you back into her grasp.

As you lie on your bed in her room, watching her pace back and forth like a caged animal, she finally asks the question that's been burning in her mind since she brought you back to the house. "Now that we have an understanding... where is my teddy bear?" Her voice is almost pleading, as if by some miracle this time she might actually get the answer she's been searching for all these years.

Your reply only fuels her anger and determination, and soon enough she's back to her old ways - questioning you brutally until she knows everything there is to know about where the bear was hidden. But when she's finally satisfied with your answers and pulls out a lighter from her pocket, hesitation flashes across her face for just an instant before it's gone again. The flame dances hungrily as she cups it in her hand, the fire spreading up her arm like ve

The last word dies on your lips as her fist comes hurtling toward your face once more, sending a sharp pain shooting through your jaw and blurring your vision. You try to cry out but no sound comes, only the heavy thud of her fist connecting with your body over and over again as she takes out her frustration on you in a violent rage.

Eventually, her strength begins to flag and her breath comes harder, but still she continues until there's nothing left but empty air where your face used to be. Only then does she finally release you, dropping your lifeless form to the floor with a groan of relief. For a moment, she stands over you, chest heaving as she tries to catch her breath, before turning away with a shudder and walking out of the room, leaving you there in a bloody heap on the floor...

She pauses for a moment, her breath caught in her throat as she processes this new information. "Seattle... How did I not think of that before?" With renewed energy, she straightens her posture and begins to pace the room once more, her mind racing with plans and possibilities. It would be too dangerous to go there herself, but perhaps she could send someone...someone trustworthy who wouldn't get caught up in the memories and pain that surrounded the place.

Hours pass as she mulls over this new development, growing more and more restless with each passing moment. At last, she reaches a decision, her eyes hardening with determination. "You will go," she declares to no one in particular, already knowing who it is that must undertake this task. "And you will bring me that bear."

It is to you, little one. You have proven yourself loyal and trustworthy thus far, so I see no reason why this should be any different. Finding the bear will be your new mission, your purpose within the organization. Return with it and you shall be rewarded beyond anything you could have ever imagined. Fail me...and well, let's not think about that.

Her lips curve into a thin line as you protest your injuries and lack of loyalty. "Your wounds will heal," she says dismissively, already turning away to pace again. "And as for your trustworthiness..." She pauses for a moment, eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "...I will give you one more chance to prove yourself."

She stops at the door leading out of her room and turns back to face you, her expression unreadable once more. "If you succeed in bringing me that bear...then perhaps we can reevaluate your position within the organization. Until then..." Her voice trails off, leaving the threat unspoken but hanging heavily in the air nonetheless.

Her eyes widen in disbelief as you reveal the fate of her cherished bear, and for a moment she's actually stunned into silence. Anger quickly replaces surprise though, flushing her cheeks with heat. "So it was destroyed after all," she hisses through gritted teeth, her fists clenched at her sides. "And you let it happen."

The unspoken threat in her words hangs heavy in the air as she slowly approaches your bed, stopping only when she's close enough to look down into your wounded face. "You have until I return from my business trip next week," she snarls, each word like a knife piercing through your skin and straight into your heart. "If you fail me again..." Her voice trails off ominously, but the meaning is clear enough: The consequences will be even more dire this time.

Her eyes widen with disbelief as she takes the worn, ragged teddy bear from your hands. For a moment, she simply stares at it in shock before lifting her gaze back to meet yours. The anger and hate that had been burning in her eyes just moments ago are replaced by something else: relief, excitement, maybe even gratitude.

She slowly sinks down onto the edge of your bed, cradling the bear in her arms like a long-lost lover. Her breath comes easier now, and for once there's a hint of warmth in her expression. "Thank you," she whispers hoarsely, her voice barely more than a croak from everything that's happened today. "I owe you my gratitude."

She looks up at you then, studying your face with newfound curiosity and interest. Perhaps there is hope for redemption after all...if you can manage to surv

Her expression softens as she studies your face, noticing the fear and uncertainty still lingering there despite her gratitude. "There's something I need to tell you," she begins hesitantly, drawing a deep breath before continuing. "I was lying earlier... about the burning down of my club." She pauses, waiting for your reaction as if bracing herself for whatever may come next.

Do you choose to believe her? Or confront her further on this new revelation?