Lust

[Lust]

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CASE FILE: Homunculus/RIOTE Militant

”Bow down and stare in wonder, for all shall love me and despair.”
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        FULL NAME:
        → Tanandra Collier

        AGE:
        → 26

      SEX:
        → Female

        BIRTH PLACE:
        → Poibueno, Esparia

        SPECIES:
        → Human-based, Rouen-Esparian mixed

      SIN:
        → Lust

        DATE OF BIRTH:
        → November 18

        ...........................................................................

        HEIGHT:
        → 5'9”

        WEIGHT:
        → 137

        PICTURE:
        →

Spoiler:

WARNING: Pic NSFW, may cause nosebleeds.

Spoiler:

      DESCRIPTION:
        → You've seen her face everywhere. Billboards. Posters. Perfume ads where she just walks along the sand with a long silk drape blowing in the wind. Ads for clothing despite her being entirely naked. Those thick, striking lips that look too good to be real, even though everyone knows she's had them since before she was famous and that they're what she's known for. That warm olive skin that bronzes so well in the sun yet never really needs to tan. Those slanted, almond-shaped eyes with thick black eyelashes and bright golden eyes like pools of molten metal that could stop traffic. That thick cascade of lime-green curls with just the faintest hint of gold highlights, always so wild and everywhere, dripping off her shoulders and down to the middle of her back. You know Tanandra's face and body so well, even if you don't know her name. You've seen her advertised everywhere. She's the woman women wish to be and that men kill to sleep with, figuratively and literally. And she knows it.

Beneath the face that launched a thousand ships lies a voracious beast that would happily seduce every man on those ships for the sheer pleasure of getting what she wanted before killing them in the most beautiful ways that cause them to scream and moan her name in ecstasy until their last breath. Tanandra is the Greater Beast through and through, able to artfully smile so sweetly through perfect teeth and thick lips to hide the wolf's fangs. Tanandra is tall and curvy, refusing to starve herself to a point of being able to see her hips or hip bones for fear of losing the luscious curve of her hips or thighs that contrast so nicely to how slim her waist is. She sports a perfect hourglass figure, and works hard to keep her muscles nicely toned without bulging. Despite Tanda's attitude toward a good romp in the sheets and how she became the icon that she is now, she remains a very alluring and classy lady. Calling or implying that she is, at all, skanky or a whore will very likely get you killed in some dark alley when you're not looking and your body left to look like it was a robbery gone awry. Lust's ouroboros is located in the center of her chest and situated above her breasts. However, as proud of it as she is, it's also a very identifying mark, and so is always covered by stage makeup made just for covering up bold tattoos so that it never shows where the public or paparazzi can see it.

Fashion and jewelry excite the homunculus, though she herself is never seen covered with so much jewelry as to be in bad taste. Tanda loves gold and bangle bracelets, and usually has at least a few adorning her wrists (unless the outfit won't allow for that). Her nails are long and well-manicured, and are only bereft of paint between colour-changes, preferring iridescent purples and greens. While she can pull off a myriad of colours, Tanandra's style often mixes black with bold shades of blue, purple or green and accents it with gold, like a peacock. Short tailored skirts, ruched strapless tops with wide elastic belts, peeptoe pumps and thigh-high velvet boots, fur and feather accents, black lace over turquoise satin. Tanda's tastes are classy and exquisite, and almost none of it was paid for with her own money.

”Why spend mine, when I can spend yours?”

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        PERSONALITY:
        → It could easily be said that Tanandra is a combination of Betty Paige, Lady MacBeth, and the Big Bad Wolf. There are many layers to her mask and facade, and always something more going on than what's presented on the surface or even just below it. Tanda is a queen of manipulation and actress on the greatest stage of them all; she knows just how to read people and read their tells to see what they want.

Body language is no secret to her. Like a hunter knows the signs of if prey is alarmed or at ease, she can read most people like an open book by watching them and talking to them a little. Where your glass is in proximity to hers; how you lean when you speak; eye contact; how often your hand goes to mess with your hair or fidget with your clothes. Every detail means something, and she will adjust her act accordingly if there's something you have that she wants, be it money, power, or just a good lay. Calling herself the Greater Beast, Tanda sees those around her as prey and she a hunter, no matter how powerful the person in question may or may not be. Even if in the end she doesn't use sex to get her way, she is not above becoming your dearest friend and confidant, the one you can run to and pour your heart out to and that person you tell all your little secrets to because you know she understands. Everything is useful to her and nothing is wasted, very little escaping her attention or perception.

Tanda is a cunning predator, and she likes to study and plan her next move and possible outcomes before making one as rash decisions have a habit of springing unexpected surprises her way. Even before she became a homunculus, Tanandra's lust was ingrained deep into her soul; her lust for life, for what society had to offer, money, and what she could get from people by playing to their innermost wants and needs. She loves a good time in any sense of the word and good company, and loves to host close dinner parties with special guests (especially if they know or have something she can somehow coax from them). She's a brilliant actress both on screen and in the game of life, hating to lose, and she's not at all sorry for the things she had to destroy to get to the top. She's a cold, hard bitch through and through, but she'll make you love her and beg for more even as she uses you to your last breath of life.

        LOVE:
        → Herself, gold, jewelry, wolves, wine, being addressed as Mistress, pleasure, having people wrapped around her fingers, beautiful people, sex, chocolate, peacocks, green and blue, furs, her wolf guards, her palace, Aurel, money, bangle bracelets, having her servants do as she asks without question, perfection

        HATE:
        → Insults to her looks, overweight people, being called a whore, being ignored, overly buttery food, chipping her nail lacquer, bad hair days, disloyalty, runs in her stockings, bad photographs, cheap boyfriends, hitters, not being invited to social events, perfection in anyone but herself

        DEEPEST SECRET:
        → As she rose to fame and changed her name to Tanandra Collier, she secretly paid to have the rest of her family be killed to keep them from spreading bad PR about her or mooching her for money. It was seen as a devastating tragedy that the young model somehow got through and became stronger because of it. There are now no people left who knew her as Louise and her old life, and she does not regret this in the slightest.

      IDOL:
        → Betty Paige and Snow White's stepmother

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        HISTORY:

        → Who could ever be fond of the back of beyond?

Louise Lefèvre had every disadvantage you need you're going to succeed. Immigrant family, no cash, no father, no bright lights. There was nowhere she'd been by the age of fifteen, living in a tiny rural village in Esparia all her life with her mother, siblings, cousins and their parents running a hotel. The hotel in the backwater area was all her family had, and was the stagnant result of an effort to get by, shared between two siblings and left to rot as few travelers came through the area that needed a room for the night, let alone long enough to grant them any sort of profits. Her mother had no grand dreams when she was young and living in Rouen, and worked at a patisserie when she was coming into her adulthood, wanting a family and good life and nothing more. A handsome Esparian man came in one summer and changed that, becoming her lover. He would stay in the Rouenian village all summer and visit daily, and leave in the fall promising to return next summer. He provided for them to a degree, and returned every summer as she mothered four children to him.

Upon the pregnancy of her fourth child, Louise, her mother grew weary of only seeing her husband four months of the year and that he was gone for business the rest of the time. She wanted a proper family and her children to be with their father, and so sold everything to move them all to Esparia without looking back. She knew the town from the PO box and looked him up. He'd told her many things over the years; what he hadn't told her was that in Esparia he also had a legally married wife and other children. The man publicly denounced the Rouenian woman and her children who couldn't prove that he was her husband. This town knew and respected him, and would take his word over hers any day. Louise's father would have nothing more to do with she or her family who now had no money to go back to Rouen. Following an ad for work, they left, and Louise was born in a tiny Esparian village far away from most everything.

The Lefèvre family moved into the dusty hotel, their mother working as housekeeping and front desk. While unable to bear the shame of going home, her grandparents took pity and sent her inheritance to her early, allowing the woman to buy hotel from the elderly couple who wanted to get rid of it. The name was changed and everything given a Rouen flair, but that was as far as that plan went. From the day she was born, Hôtel coeur Maiden was Louise's entire world. Pray, go to school, try to not argue with the nuns, pray again, come home and do homework, help change sheets that hadn't been slept in and air rooms that hadn't changed in thirty years. Pray some more before dinner, lament being Rouenian and living as Esparian citizens as beautiful Rouen was razed to the ground. The Rouenian royal family was supposedly all dead now and their country was ruins. Louise's aunt, uncle and two cousins had survived and managed to escape and fled to the tiny village in Esparia. Being Rouenian refugees living in the country that just destroyed your home country made business that much worse, but they remained and did what they could.

Louise hated that damned hotel and seeing nothing but the same tired faces of her family and the Esparians in the village. The only time she really seemed passionate about anything was when they actually had a guest to tend to, especially if it was someone from anywhere but near there; everywhere else seemed so much more exciting. Louise would never confess to it, not even in church, but she had dreams and plans much bigger than that dusty village. She wanted more than to just marry someday, have children and work at a hotel that was making no money. It didn't matter that she was beautiful and wanted to be a model or an actress; that would never happen. They were poor and lived in the middle of nowhere, and that was the sort of thing that only happened if you knew somebody. And finally when she was 15, somebody happened.

Rafael Arroyo was everything Louise had been praying for; he was gorgeous with a smile that could stop traffic, had a decent career with steady pay, and had a voice that was to die for. Rafael was a musician and had a growing fanbase in Esparia, and stopped at the little hotel in the dusty town after his bus broke down. Louise felt it was the hand of God giving her the break she'd been praying for. Even though he was six years her senior, his good looks and charming personality and money more than made up for that age gap. Louise was consenting age, and enthralled by Rafael. His stories about all the places he'd been and all the people he'd sang for. His amazing costumes and the exciting people he'd met all around the world. How she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever met in any of the places he'd been to. Louise flocked to his bed happily and eagerly, eating up the pretty words whispered into her ear and the gentle crooning that came with his guitar.

It was nearly two weeks before Rafael was able to leave, and by then Louise had decided that no matter what, she was moving out with her man and returning with him to Cuidad de Malos. He would love her and provide for her, make her famous and give her a real taste of what society had to offer... whether he protested or not. Ignoring how the pretty words and compliments had stopped, Louise packed and left on his bus with him for the biggest city in Esparia. The bright lights were just what her heart had been screaming for all her life. The lights, the smells, the beautiful people everywhere. Louise wanted it all, begging the universe to let that world be hers and that she would do anything to keep it as her own. Rafael was dragged out to lunches and dancing, Louise posing for ten thousand snapsots with an unwilling man on her arm, tipping his hat down to cover his face, Louise refusing to stay on the bus like some groupie. She was more than that. But after finally asking when they'd go home, Rafael had the bus drive them to a large house. The upscale townhouse was everything she dreamed. Rafael exited the bus and went up the stairs, only to be greeted by the loving arms and kisses of his girlfriend, leaving Louise and her suitcase alone in the dark.

She had cut ties with her family when she left, swearing she'd never be back to that shithole hotel ever again, but now that she had nowhere to stay and nowhere to return to, the teenager was left confused and for the first time, very much alone. Louise bit her pride and called home in a moment of weakness, but as her mother pointed out her own heartless words back to her daughter and ended the call, Louise now had no family left. With the little money she had handy, the girl walked out toward the poorer areas of the city and found a hotel she could stay at for a ew days until she figured out her next move.

The good news about Louise was that she'd never been one for playing the damsel in distress. Those stories always pissed her off, and those princesses were so vapid; there they were, royalty, and just sat around waiting for someone to do all the work for them. While she liked the idea and ethic of having someone else get their hands dirty for you, she didn't appreciate the idea of it being because she was too stupid or helpless to fix it herself when she was more than capable.

Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye.

Just because you are of consenting age and able to work doesn't mean that many places will look past your age and lack of experience to hire you. She was living out of her suitcase in a shithole hotel that made the one she grew up in look like a palace. She cruised newspapers, called every number available, walked into every shop and eatery that might have been hiring. Nobody had anything for the fifteen-year-old girl on her own. Shop after shop said no as Louise ran out of money for her hotel room and food, and she was very nearly ready to cry in frustration as the manager at a camera store said he couldn't hire her and that she needed to just go home and go back to school.

Those pouty lips that were much too full for the young girl they sat on. The way those green curls dripped down around her face and bare shoulders. Her lithe frame that still hadn't filled in all the way or been touched by the ravages of time. With her chin tilted upwards and the light streaking down through the window on her pouting face in a moment of silent frustrated prayer, a camera bulb flashed, the candid shot catching Louise completely off guard.

“The hell gives?” she demanded, her sulking pout turning into teenage pissiness. The sudden change in expression caused another flash before the man put down the camera, apologizing. Xavier Romero, while not the best looking man, had a sweet smile and a good eye. He was older than Rafael had been, pushing closer to thirty and a business suit whose jacket and pants didn't match. He almost seemed like the comic, living picture of the man described in ”My Funny Valentine.” But what Xavier lacked in good looks and style, he made up for in a simple slip of paper: the phone number to his company.

“With a face like yours, you could go far. Call me.” Xavier left the shop, bait left out and Louise deep in thought. She had no idea what he wanted, but seemed to know his way around a camera and had commented on her face, though the latter hardly came as a surprise. The only work anyone seemed to offer her was in their beds, but she knew she was worth far more than the sixty or eighty they were willing to toss to her. Table scraps. And she was not their bitch to beg under the table. Biting the bullet, she called the number when she returned to her hotel room and was quickly given an appointment.

Phantasma Photography was far more impressive than she would have expected from how its owner had looked. While it was only a small company, they did have a steady clientele and decent model list, and were becoming quite the growing business. Creating cards and calendars with hot women on them. Clothing ads for local stores and events. When you just needed a few hot models as background faces for whatever. Phantasma was small, but could provide that. She was impressed, and played her enthusiasm to Xavier. He saw a fresh face, something exciting and new that Esparia hadn't seen before. Her face was just too alluring to stay a secret.

“I'll be the one who discovered you and we'll make this a career for you,” Xavier said as the bulb flashed repeatedly during the test shoot. High light, low light, props, just with a backdrop. It didn't matter. Her body fit perfectly into the rack of studio costumes he had handy for the girls. The camera loved Contracts were drawn and printed, the girl in lingerie and a dressing gown swinging her ankles carelessly as she looked them over at the table. “All you have to do is sign your name there, and a whole new life is yours. I can take you places.”

Surprisingly, there was a moment of hesitation as pen dipped to the paper. Sign her name, get a new life. But her mother had made it quite clear that she was now dead to her family and no longer would be seen as one of them, too good for all that her mother did for her. ”Any name?”

”Any name you want and that's the name that will be yours and we'll worry about the legal stuff later.”

Tanandra Collier scrawled out across the stark white of the paper and black lines, ink red as the blood-coloured lipstick that lined her mouth. Paperwork signed, champagne was poured to celebrate a new start with his new star model. The glasses weren't even finished when warm rouge lips met his, hands wrapping around his jacket's collar and tugging him downward onto the table with her.

She was exotic and exciting, and the way she could go from a stalking wolf to demure lamb in between camera flashes was amazing; Tanandra was a natural and her body and looks were exquisite, and with the slip of her hand and a well-placed moan Xavier was completely wrapped around her manicured little finger. It wasn't long before local events weren't enough. Phantasma needed to set bigger and brighter challenges for their star model, lest later that night she pout and set those gold eyes glimmering with tears. After all, she was all alone in the world and had no home or family to return to, and Xavier needed to make sure her career was solid or she'd end up on the street. Calls and interviews were made, photoshoots set up all over Esparia. Fashion show after fashion show, Tanda was building up steam and because of her, Phantasma's mark in the industry was solid. They owned her exclusive rights, and other companies could shoot with her for one hell of a leasing fee.

In half a year, Tanandra had gone from living out of her suitcase in a slum hotel to living in Xavier's penthouse with him. Tanandra was becoming a face that people all over Esparia saw. But the teenager wasn't satisfied; she wasn't stupid. She was young and beautiful now, and sleeping with Xavier would keep him happy only until something else fresh and exciting happened along to his bed, and now that Phantasma was booming there were plenty of new faces, gently curving mouths and delicate, inexperienced hands that would sweetly and eagerly do anything he asked. Something had to be done as she refused to simply fall to the side and let her contracts slip back to doing catalogues and news ads.

It was winter and that was a busy fashion season. There was a show in Venice, Ciliegia, and Tanda was one of the four starring models for that runway. The showcasing was the spring line, and she was set to do four of the top display outfits. However, Yvette was scheduled for bride. And everyone knows that was the crowning moment of the season's shows. Sure there may have been multiple wedding dresses if there were multiple designers and a few if it was one, but there was always one gown that was the glory and prize for the runway models. If you were that bride, you were in for good.

Tanadra was flown out to Ciliegia several days before the show and alone, pouting and lamenting that Xavier couldn't come. Gold eyes shimmered with tears and worry since her beloved Xavier who had made her what she was and had done everything just for her was in the hospital. His escargot was undercooked, they'd said, and some of the bacteria in the little snails had infected his bloodstream and internal organs. They were struggling to save Xavier, but for the good of Phantasma Tanandra would put on a brave front and show the world what Phantasma could produce.

Cerises d'amour aux robes pareilles, Tombant sous la feuille En gouttes de sang

It didn't take much to make her presence known at the event after her car had dropped her off from the airport. The posh hotel was exquisite and was hosting all of the models and the director, and the lobby would host the show that was set to happen two days from then. It wasn't strange that some models were arriving early, but that Tanda had arrived early and without any escorts and so young while worrying so much about the boss she'd dedicated her everything to? Fernando Criado, the show's director and fashion god, was awestruck by the young beauty's determination and grace. It didn't take much effort at all to win him with her charms, the girl seeming so innocent and sweet.

It was shocking to Fernando that the model who was rising into the spotlight and shining so brightly as an evening star would be so truly unhappy. Tanandra was trapped and miserable, as Fernando found out over dinner. She belonged exclusively to Phantasma, and they made more off her than she did; the only reason she was so well-groomed and cared for was because she was Xavier's property, and she would only be his crowning gem so long as she satisfied him in bed. Tanda spoke of a family she would never see again and the beautiful hotel she'd grown up in. Ah! How she missed her cousins and siblings! But she'd never hear from them, not so long as she belonged to Xavier; she wasn't allowed to give her number to those people as they may try to take her away from her work, and then where would she be? Oh, she would be nothing without Xavier, nobody! The teenager lamented over dessert, her eyes shining and moving Fernando's heart to pity.

The demure, gold-eyed beauty fell into his bed as her body told a tragic tale of a princess being kept against her will with no hope of freedom until she was no longer wanted. Such a sweet girl, it was a miracle that Xavier was too ill to come, and God was punishing the horrible man who deprived the girl of her family she missed so much! Those two days before the show were spent hanging off Fernando's arm, her shining knight protecting her from any who may come near to tarnish that sparkling diamond. The fashion show arrived and the world watched with baited breath, camera flashes going off like strobe lights at the disco. The crowds and fashionistas were eating it up. Halfway through the show behind the scenes, though, things were not going so well.

Yvette, the starring model, was complaining she didn't feel well and wasn't sure she'd be able to do it. It wasn't like her to succumb to nerves, and the woman rarely drank much else than water. Another set of outfits completed, and after the swimwear would come the bridal designs. Yvette completed her turns on the catwalk, her expression perfect and the light hiding her pallid colouring, but as she vanished back stage she ran to the bathroom, vomiting heavily. She was sweating badly and couldn't stop throwing up; the woman who drank little else than water had found the foreign water somewhat toxic to her system. She swore she'd only had bottled water, but one of them must have been refilled with tap water to have caused such an issue. There was so much going on all at once, model orders being shifted around. Fernando took the gown Yvette was meant to wear and begged the teen to take her place as lead bride. Nobody ever questioned the mostly-empty bottle of eye drops that was passed and used by all of the models in a place where the bright lights and weather were giving everyone dry eyes.

The green-haired, golden-eyed goddess in white tulle with bold makeup dazzled the world. First they were confused at the sudden change, but then they saw! The colours, the flair and flourish, how the dress seemed to be tailored and reflecting her very soul as she stepped. The girl ruled the catwalk and the photographers and fashion reporters from all over the world saw the beauty of Tanandra Collier. Flowers and fruit were sent to Tanda's room in droves. Perfume, bottles of wine and champagne. Fine delicacies. Boxes of gifts of clothing from other designers who would all offer her anything to take a contract with them. Rouge lips moved into a cold, delicious smirk as she shut her door behind her, finally alone.

According to her phone messages, Xavier had survived but was now very weak, and it would be some time before he could resume work. Xavier was such a brave, strong man who was completely on her back burner as the last three days were spent at the forefront of everything. The attention, the lights, the praise from everyone. It was exhausting but glorious, like a drug shooting into her veins leaving her dizzy and giddy. It was orgasmic, and she wanted more. As she was escorted back to the plane by her shining knight named Fernando, Tanda promised she would sign her contract to under his care. If he cared for her, she would be safe, and cared for, and not taken advantage of like that ever again. With a delicate kiss goodbye, the teenager was sent home to Esparia to start pulling her contract in order to turn the pages over.

Pages turned and books burned. Tanandra Collier started making the moves to pull her contract and sign herself over to another larger company without the consent of her manager or her own lawyers looking things over. Xavier was furious, his anger caught in heated moments that were frozen across tabloid papers. Xavier was plastered as a tyrant, an alcoholic, as abusive to his models, as being a lech. Her contract passed from Phantasma to Elusive, and there the claws came out. Xavier and Phantasma tried to sue, golden eyes batting as Elusive countered the suit. Xavier even paid off the judge. But in the end?

A disgrace, he was called, a disgrace! When he was the one who found her and made her a somebody! But the court ruled that you couldn't put someone in a lifetime contract and own them and their rights exclusively, no matter what she signed and agreed to. After all, she was 15 when she signed that contract and didn't have an entertainment lawyer of her own to go over it; how could she have known?

Tanandra's lawsuit was all the news for months, on the lips of every tabloid's whisper and eventually she won, taking her contract, millions in back payments, pain and hardship, all the royalties to every snapshot they'd had of her, and all her shares of the company. Phantasma was never the same after that, and with his name ruined Xavier was lucky just to go back to newspaper and advertising shoots. But that sparkle was gone with Tanda as she'd moved on.

”The diamond dogs are poachers and they hide behind trees. Hunt you to the ground they will, mannequins with kill appeal.”

With the caring hand for Fernando guiding her own, Tanandra's career was as a golden meteor blazing across the sky. The teenager became the covergirl for Vogue and Elle; the star at fashion shows and soirees. Tanandra was a hunter and master of the game; she knew just when to listen to pick up hunts to her next good move. The afternoon sun was beaming in warmly though the window blinds and casting odd zig-zagged stripes across the bed and their bodies; this detail stuck out to her because the patterns fascinated her and made her wonder how they'd look on a canvas.

She laid there, pressed against the older man's body and basking in the slight tremors that came after. The afterglow was always something Tanda savoured, even if the pillow talk bored her slightly. It was when you could talk about nothing and try to sneak in subtle demands and hope the other was still too high from their body's orgasm that they'd agree to anything. Generally that was fine when she was the one issuing the requests, but when someone was doing it to her? Not so much.

”Mia stella,” Fernando purred as his hand pet down the slope of Tanda's back to rest in the gentle curve above her hip. ”That expose coming up... I had a thought for it, for you.” For her, really? Tanda brushed away the tendrils of cold sarcasm, instead scooting up a bit more to plant a warm kiss to the middle of Fernando's chest.

”Something for me, mio amore?” Diamond-studded gown. Come on diamond-studded gown!

”When you were still with that bastard, you said he wouldn't let you see your family. I was thinking for the expose I would send a bus down, and bring them all here to see you. You could finally show them in person how far you've come, and then after I'll have you and your family at the Schiwatas Hotel for a few days to catch up. Go sightseeing, get to know each other again. It mgiht even put some fresh inspiration to you~”

Words couldn't express the model's silent fury. To think that he thought she needed those back-stabbing scavengers to give her inspiration?! How dare he? But when Fernando said he had a thought, that meant he'd already arranged and planned for things; good thing he was never one for surprises. That meant she had time to think, plan, and respond. She wasn't just an up and coming model anymore doing magazine ads and sexy cards; Tanandara was THE model, THE it-girl. Fernando and Xavier helped with her career, but like hell she needed them more than a fish needed a bicycle. However, thick lips curled into a delicious, affectionate smile as the girl moved up ever higher to cover Fernando's mouth in sweet kisses.

”Darling, you're a gem! I just can't wait to see Maman and my family again! It's been almost two years... It'll be like a reunion, or Christmas!” Fernando was thanked deeply for the next forty minutes, all the while the wolf joining with him was planning. They couldn't be allowed to see how big she'd really become, see who she'd become because they bailed on her. Maman was so poor, her whole family, too; if they saw just how much their baby girl was worth, they'd want to rake in some of that goodness and never go hungry again. In the middle of the night, a message was whispered down the grapevine through her bodyguards, trickling away from her as lightly as a shadow on a cloud. She now had nothing to worry about.

The expose date arrived; Tanandra strutted down the catwalk in a gown whose draping skirt train was reminiscent of a peacock's tail plumes. Teal, gold and green decorated her luscious body. Champagne glasses raised in a glorious toast to everyone's success and well-being. The green-haired jewel had barely finished her glass when two police officers interrupted the gala as politely as they could, tugging the child away to the sidelines away from guests. They confirmed her name was really Louise Lefèvre. The men sighed and wrung their hands, not from being star-struck, but not knowing how to delicately tell a girl who was barely much more than a child that the bus her entire family had been on had exploded. Nobody on the bus had survived, including the other passengers and drivers. The bombing was suspected to have been linked to some small terrorist or anti-Rouenian group, and targeted the bus when they found out that the majority of the passengers were all Rouenian immigrants who had been living in Esparia for years. She would need to come identify the charred bodies that week.

How does one respond when the find out their whole living family is now dead, and that they are all that's left of yesterday? In the movies people like to fall on their knees and let out some earth-shattering wail. But this was a social event, and Tanda needed to save face. Her glass was set down with trembling fingers as a hand moved to her delicate mouth. Gold eyes shimmered with tears that they didn't shed for fear of ruining her makeup; her face became the picture of heartbreak barely holding back her pain. With complete understanding from her wonderful host and the other guests, Tanandra left the party early, the teenager in shock and deep mourning. It had been years since the war wiping out almost all of Rouen; surely people could have just let them live! It wasn't fair!

Bouquets, cards, wreathes were all sent to the starling in droves, her devoted fans wishing nothing but their deepest sympathies and giving her letters and warm wishes to encourage her to keep on with her dream, going forward bravely in these dark and tragic days. Tanda paid for the mass funeral herself, but it was not a lavish affair; only a few select paparazzi were allowed to this most intimate event. This wasn't some circus show, this was a girl grieving against her losses from racist extremists who had only wanted to share her success with her family. Her family that she would never love or kiss or hold or see ever, ever again.

Their remains, Tanda felt, didn't belong burnt or buried in Esparia; it was where they'd lived for year, but it wasn't home. Rouen was. She would hold onto their urns for now, she told the media, but as soon as she was able to she would find a way to go visit the ruined island of her family's home and scatter their ashes in the jungle overgrowth. Tanandra took only a few weeks from working to fully let herself grieve, telling her bosses and coworkers and lovely photographers that her family would have wanted her to keep going forward. She wouldn't give up, no matter what, and she would make them proud of her from Heaven!

Less than two months after her loss, Tanandra was at another party, a political charity event this time. These bored her to death, really, and it's not like the money actually went to the poor; that was just something the politicians and aristocracy said in order to make the middle class empty their wallets. But Fernando kissed her head and told her to go have a good time, and he'd see her at the end of the week as he had business in Aerugo to try and hammer things out with another fashion designer who just refused to compromise. It was at this event that Tanda realized that she had the power and finesse to master all those in the room with her. They were all her prey, and would eat out of her hand if she so asked. Tanandra was a hunter, and though she was still sated from her most recent feeding, it never was too soon to start grooming the herd to see which would be the best next move. And she'd be alone for a week, how droll...

Meeting the President was good and well, but it was his friend who interested her more. Miguel. He was older than her, incredibly handsome, and of everyone in the room, he had wild stories that were all true. He was an explorer with similar tastes; a lust for life, exquisite pleasures of food, environment and of the flesh. Tanda sidled closer to him, more and more interested in the tales he had, his adventures. Of everyone in the room, she'd found a kindred spirit, something else that was wild, feral and hungry. Two wolves slipped away from the herd of sheep early into the night, and away from where anyone would know or care, the beast that was Tanandra gave in completely to an even greater beast and took notes. She let this other hunter roam and explore the secrets hiding in the mountains of her thighs and the plain of her stomach, the wonders of the rolling hills of her breasts. In return, she felt out his find, fed from his very energy and let herself plan new heights to aspire to. For a change, there was nothing she really wanted from a man; this man she only wanted to enjoy, and be enjoyed, and exist in that lush thrill of something new. It was intoxicating, and truly a pity it would only be that once.

”Everybody's living in a material world, and I am a material girl.”

Even though their passions between satin sheets cooled in the warmth of the sun in Cilegia, Tanandra's fame and glory rose up and continued to shine just as brightly. The girl blossomed in her career, the delicate petals of sweetness remaining from teenage years melting away in spring winds as the supermodel celebrated her twentieth birthday. Her body had fully matured and ripened, lithe limbs becoming full and thick. She'd had no work done to her body, and this was confirmed; her beauty was entirely God-given, and magazines rushed to do full page spreads and interviews with what was voted one of the sexiest women in the world. Long thick legs, plump lips, delicate hands and full breasts had completely replaced the image of the teenage girl who had been far too pretty and captivated the world only a few years ago. Tanda now had her own mansion, and Fernando came and went as he pleased, the man growing colder as the fires of passion died down and were left for younger men to burn from. He was satisfied with his wealth and knowing that things were fine as they were. Beneath her perfect makeup, Tanandra was writhing in malcontent.

The teen years are the best for any model. You are young, at your thinnest and most willing because you'll do anything to get to the top. But once you're there, you have to fight to stay there, and everyone must pass the crown on at some point; even the most celebrated model can't afford stagnation and will be replaced by the next young beauty. Call it the circle of life for the entertainment industry. She couldn't have cared less that Fernando was less interested in her now than he had been before, or that younger nymphs danced in his bed. But Tanandra's money couldn't last on just doing runway and being a special guest forever; she needed something new. The wolf within her was beginning to gnaw once again and she knew she needed to feed and change skins or she would die off to rot in dust with only photos remaining to glorify the beauty that was.

Tanandra hardly needed Fernando's permission to fly abroad now or even schedule her appearances and shows; she could handle that on her own without the expense and better tailor it to her desires. Appearances kept her in the limelight, but if she wasn't the main attraction and only a guest, it just ticked another notch to nag that she was fading. A red carpet event in London, gathering stars of every flavour as a new movie premiered. The movie was destined to be a great success and millions had gone into its budget, decorated stars bursting forth to show what they were made of. Beautiful people would gather together to watch a sappy movie and congratulate themselves on being masters of the universe. Perfect. Sending an elegant RSVP, Tanandra declared she would be thrilled to come and see the movie she'd heard such great things about from a director that had so much promise. This was sure to be his magnum opus, and she personally wanted to see it and congratulate him for such a work.

She'd been to London so many times before, just like she had all the other major cities in the world worth going to, but of course when she arrived with a spectacular flair only she could pull off Tanandra told the press that there really was “No place like London.” The smells, the people, the atmosphere... This was truly a place where stars belonged. The screening was exactly what she expected, and the movie wasn't half-bad; everyone else got sniffly during the sappy parts, loathed the bad guy, and clapped when she got her man in the end. It was the classic story of the sort of shallow love affairs chick-flicks make over and over, where the main characters have little more than being mammals in common and against all odds end up together forever, despite having known each other for such a short amount of time that they don't really know who the other person is deeper than that initial attraction. Tanda knew better than anyone that love like that was only skin-deep, but hey, it sold the popcorn and movie tickets and money makes the world go 'round. What more could you want in a movie night? But seeing this movie clued her into what sort of things went through the director's mind since he wrote the script for it.

Alfred Duchamp wasn't far from her own age-bracket and was still only beginning what held the sparkle of a glorious career, and yet, watching his body language and interactions with his guests Tanda could deduce several things. Writers always put a bit of themselves (or a lot, or all) into their characters or writing; Alfred had made the male lead secretly as how he saw himself. Young, good-looking, a bit socially awkward ad this wasn't the sort of crowd he was used to running with. He'd just caught a lucky break and nearly killed himself to finance his project. At the party he would put his glass down close to the glass of whatever lady he was talking to to see if she'd reciprocate with her own silent, subconscious messages. He'd stand up straighter, try to make his voice more confident, smile just a little too big, laugh just a little too loudly... Her prey was sighted, and now was just a case of tailoring herself to what her little lamb wanted. He didn't seem to want a wolf, not outright. But someone sweet and understanding of the delicate nature of the artistic soul.

”Darling! Why are you out on the balcony by yourself? You're the toast of the evening... You should be in there enjoying it.” The director squeaked and nearly jumped when Tanda popped up beside him; he hadn't heard death stalking. All too easily Alfred caved to the caring eyes and smile that leaned on the railing beside him and sighed. Amazing how a little champagne makes chatting with strangers easier.

”Big parties just aren't my thing... I think everyone's there more to see each other than anything else.” Mild understatement. But that was just the opening and ease she'd needed to chat with Al, the two of them ignoring the party inside and talking for quite a while and making several tabloid covers the next morning as the new hot coupling. And then finally, it came: the idle chat about their career hopes and dreams. Tanda rested on her elbows and looked up at the stars, wondering where she'd go from here; after 21, surely her modeling career would be over and then? She'd be back to doing magazines and lingerie ads. ”It's funny how things reverse,” Al mused, three glasses of bubbly in. ”Modeling careers are rocky for children and people over 20, but at their peak in the teens. In movies, kids and teens have shaky chances of poofing after their cuteness goes away and they stop being able to play characters ten years younger than they really are. The real work for actors is in your 20's though! I bet you'd be great on screen...”

”Me, really? I've never thought of being an actress for movies before.” She'd been one for the whole world all her working life, and was the greatest actress nobody had ever suspected. Al's enthusiasm suddenly burst like a firework.

”Come with me, Tanda! I'll put your name in lights, and you won't have to worry about doing Victoria's Secret ads every again!” Tanda laughed happily as a schoolgirl and went to hug Al but slipped, suddenly finding that the director had caught her to keep her from being hurt. Even buzzed, his reflexes weren't bad. Maybe not such a mouse of a writer after all. She was pulled upright, Al still holding close around her shoulders, his hand cupping her cheek as he breathed against her skin. ”Tanda? Do you believe in destiny?”

”I do... and I think you're it.” What started with a kiss ended up in his hotel room, the actress playing not the demure damsel needing rescuing nor the discarded teen who wanted love; she was a sensitive artist who cherished the gentle and slow love as the beautiful poet sang his soul to her. It was the same sappy dribble that made up most romance novels and chick-flicks devoured by impressionable girls and fat housewives, and Tanda was hand-feeding it to the man who wrote it. It was just what he'd always wanted. Of course, there was a little resistance; she was cheating on Fernando when they'd both had too much champagne! Did Alfred really still want her, did she deserve such affections when she'd already shown she wasn't to be trusted?

No, no! What she had with Fernando wasn't real love, not like this. They would never connect the way she and Alfred were. This was love, at last! Oh, Fernando was pretty choked up about losing his beloved star, surely he could cope; he had plenty of other girls to try and satisfy him, but nobody would ever be able to duplicate Tanda or all the money she brought in. It wasn't long at all before she'd packed up her mansion and left for Creta, modeling and portraying a more carefree woman than the world had every seen. This wasn't the heavy-panting fantasy sex the world had come to know; this was a rebirth as a flower-child, a lover of the world, a forest nymph whose true beauty had yet to be tapped and couldn't be touched or sullied by human hands. Her first movie premiered the summer after she turned 21. The movie, Candle's Whisper, had been a deeply moving and artistic whose love and depth shone brightly and flaunted the messages and ideals of beauty Al wanted to portray to the world. With its carefully chosen music, creative lighting, subtle dialogue that took so many meanings every scene and Tanda's already solid fanbase, the movie was a blazing success. It didn't matter that her acting stills on camera weren't quite natural in every scene; it was her debut, and was just the beginning with promise to become better.

”The principles of lust are easy to understand.”

Movies were just what Tanda needed to get out of her rut, and the change in her exercise routine didn't hurt either. She'd gone from supermodel whose career was just dangling on a thread to rising star once again, rubbing elbows and mingling with people whose careers lasted longer than a flashbulb. She had more than what it took; money, looks, cunning, and fans that would follow her no matter what. She could bounce ideas off Al and plan without him even knowing it, and pitch things to him in a way that he thought the idea came to him, all on its own. She was his muse, and he was naive and easily trainable. Of all her lovers, Al wasn't too bad; he was certainly the most romantic of the lot, constantly surprising her with poems or breakfast in bed, little presents. The best present was a puppy, oddly enough. But not just any puppy, a small chimeric wolf pup.

She'd always loved and admired wolves and often told Al how she loved to listen to them sing and praise the night after their hunts and haunt the winter air. Tanda had always wanted one as a pet, but they were really such shy creatures, and would never make good guard dogs. This one, however, was specially made for her, designed to be more intelligent than any common animal, loyal to her, and unafraid to attack. The perfect companion to guard Al's beloved soul mate. Cerberus was cherished and trained well, and let Tanda fall in love with Al all over again.

Three movies, several Best Picture nominations and one Best Actress award later, Alfred had decided life couldn't get any better. Tanandra agreed, but had also decided now was a good time to try something new; she'd trained Al to eat out of her hand and follow her every whim like it was his own will, so how far could she push that blind devotion to have a little fun? After all, what bonded lovers together better than joining and trying new things? Al lapped it up eagerly as Tanda settled into her little psychology experiment as new things were tried, some with more success than others as they grew more and more risque, until finally they came to something the faithful little poet had never thought of. Jealousy and passion burn so closely together that it's easy to mistake one for another, and often what starts as one can easily become the other. Watching Tanda with another enticed deeper passions at first, the writer wishing to prove that she was his, that nobody could love her like he could. A thrill at first, but fire's still fire, and fire will burn no matter where you put your hand in it.

Passion became a spiraling jealousy as he began to prod her with questions. Did she like them better? Did she have them when he wasn't around? Had she been at this before she thought to try it together with him? Love was eaten away by the green-eyed monster of envy; innocence died and left bitterness and despair in its wake. Al took to sleeping in the opposite wing of the manor, leaving Tanda alone with her faithful wolf who was far more aware and keen than Al would have guessed. The writer's days and nights slurred together with the sweet poison that never left his glass. One final movie, one last attempt to reach his love and call her back to him. Dark, haunting and a masterpiece winning Picture of the year and an Oscar. One last time they tried to celebrate together, joined as one, Alfred feeling at last like he'd gotten through to her when, ”Oh, Robert!” She'd screamed the wrong name. Oops.

Only children wept for broken toys, and she really didn't care that she'd broken it, or that it needed to be replaced now. Alfred moved out quietly sobbing, drunk and begging for the Tanda he'd fallen in love with to come back to him, wondering where she'd gone. That last cruel fight Tanandra felt she should have gotten another award for; it was better than in the movie. Tears streamed, doors slammed. ”I don't care WHAT you do, just LEAVE!” And so, he did. It was quite the hot story of the two lovers torn apart by jealousy and success, and such a tragic ending as the writer drowned himself in bourbon and a bottle of Vicodin. A beautiful love letter goodbye was left for Tana, apologizing for hurting her and driving her away, for doubting her, for it coming to this. He would always love and watch over her. Screw the movies, nothing sells in life like sex and a good sob-story.

Once again Tanandra was thrust into the limelight of tragedy, a cruel hand taking away someone she'd hoped to spend the rest of her life with and marry, maybe even someday have children with. So they were having a spat- all couples did! But the struggle was what made something worth keeping, right? Worth fighting for? Love that comes easy is rarely real, but this was deep and true. Cerberus silently at her side during the funeral, Tanandra read the love letter out loud, sharing the most intimate feelings and words of love, and weeping under her black lace asked the world how she would ever find a love like his ever again.

A creative break was what she was taking while she mourned, and new wolves made the same as Cerberus were brought into her life, keeping her company and lifting her spirits while she put herself back together. Getting in touch with the scientist who made them, she posed a question, asking if they could be made to talk to provide even greater service to her. Not long later a new guard was given to her, this one seeming to be more man than wolf. He was the perfect guard, and would even converse with her in small bursts. There was no resentment between Mistress and Pet.

”And I'm not sorry. It's human nature.”

Many people have wanted to rule the world, literally and figuratively; Ceasar ruled it literally, while Madonna merely wanted to rule it the modern way. Tanandra was much the same. Her career was more than a success, and she was worth billions internationally. Toys came and went, but it didn't matter; experience had made her rich, and now the tables had turned. There was only one foreseeable problem: she was approaching the mid-marker for her 20's, and after that it was a downward slope to her 30's, and then... cellulite. She was against surgery to stay young and beautiful, but the idea of growing old repulsed her.

This horrible truth began to eat at her; she'd be old soon, and then she wouldn't have the same influence she had now. Nobody bent over backwards to call you Mistress when you were wrinkly unless they were REALLY into Cougars or Sugar Mamas, and she was neither. It cast a shadow over the star and made her worry, especially since she had no next move of her own that she could make. Salvation came in the form of a newspaper, and a front page article about the two new Fuhrers of Amestris. A few nice donations to Amestrian charities later and she'd been invited to one in Amestris. A message was given with her donation that if there was anything she could do for the Fuhrers, they need only ask.

And she was, privately in her own home, by Aurel Schwarz. From the get-go, she liked the young man; they thought alike. They were both hunters and observers with needs, desires and plans, and were willing to thank all the little people they had to step on to achieve them (so to speak). There were two sides to the Fuhrers, and one side was a group called RIOTE. His goals were interesting, and if Tananda helped him attain them, he would give her something she had been longing for: the promise of eternal beauty and power beyond her dreams. The offer was secret and sincere, and for the first time, Tanandra was honestly honoured to be chosen as worthy of such a rare exchange of gifts. With her own power and influence, she had her fingers in a lot of pies and could covertly watch for Aurel and be his eyes and ears, and occasionally his claws. A small price to pay for what she wanted, especially when she was growing bored with what she had.

The red stone was more magnificent than any ruby, and sparkled with the lustre of blood that matched the stains on her own hands and soul. ”I can see we're going to get along famously, Aurel. Cheers, Darling.” The priceless, soul-fueled gem was swallowed with a sip of champagne and a murderous smile, the stone melding to her soul effortlessly, joining as though they'd always been one. It didn't take long to sell her mansion in Creta, the home filled with just too many ghosts and sad memories; Tanandra and her wolves were moved to Rouen.

The island had become lush and overgrown with jungle and rare birds, parts sanctioned off as a tourist hot spot guarded by Esparia. Tanandra's first orders were to keep Rouen and guard it as her own. She could live in the abandoned Palace of Versailles, her wolves to guard her and peacocks to decorate the grounds. More chimeric guards were made, trained and delivered to her, each of them loyal unto death for their Mistress. The palace was staffed with only the most beautiful attendants, and she was a big enough celebrity that she could invite whomever she pleased to come to her exclusive parties. Stars and politicians alike, all had their secrets and all would find great pleasures at her palace, and for Aurel, all of their secrets were Tanda's to learn and report by any means necessary.

”Square cut or pear shaped these rocks don't lose their shape”

[center]Philosopher's Stones are a girl's best friend.

---------

”I want to love you, but I'd better not touch.”

Wild animals are many things to people who look at them in admiration. Beautiful is usually the first thing that comes to mind, along with a sense of wanting to have some of that beauty for themselves in some way. Dangerous is the other that often doesn't come to mind first when it should. A wild animal, even when more willing to work around humans, is not and never will be tame. Even wrapped in a form as beautiful and exotic as Tanandra, a wild animal is still very much feral and more than anything, needs to hunt. On Vasco's permission (at the friendly nudging of Aurel), Tanandra took residence at the Palace of Versailles in the jungles of Rouen. The island was still off-limits to outsiders apart from government officials, the area fenced off and Coast Guard keeping nosy tourists, adventurers, and press away. To the outside world, she was a celebrity who'd had enough money to buy the ultimate retreat away from the spotlight, still distraught over the loss of her Alfred and living in a giant, open-air crypt that nobody outwardly dared mourn for. Alone with her wolves, Tanandra knew the truth: she was babysitting. Not a hard job, by any means, but one with no set goal. She was to live in Rouen and keep it safe. Her chimeric wolves were free to prowl the jungles as they pleased, their Mistress knowing they would always return.

For a while, it felt good to be on top. Tanandra had been granted eternal beauty and youth, and power beyond her imagination that would only grow with time and practice. The world as she saw it had changed, down to the way she felt and interpreted those around her. Everything now was an inferior species with nothing to offer. The awards for Blood Roses were fabulous, and shining on the A-List of celebrities was a beautiful feeling. Finally, she could bask in the rewards of her hard work, being the woman that companies begged to have her as a guest for, the woman they paid top dollar to be seen sporting even the most trivial of their products, and the woman who finally got some of the most exclusive invitations to things. Amongst London's socialites there is a man known only as Reaver, and his parties are ones that people kill to get into, literally. The definition of lavish, no expense is spared, his soirees riding above the law as a man who may very well control the lawmakers. Reaver was a man of impeccable taste and fine wine, and like her, Tanandra found, was a being superior to those around them. So too was Alena, the masked Sekretar of Drachma who joined them. All three beautiful, forever young, powerful, and hunters. There was a certain kindred chemistry between them, possibly because their powers called to their own kind, but also because even as people, like attracts like. Reaver was an exquisite beast, one who reminded her of the Esparian from Vasco's party many years ago, and one she certainly wouldn't mind entertaining privately.

Over the months, however, things shifted, and the Beast within her was growing restless. Another movie role came up, filmed in Xing and parts of Esparia, but it was more action and explosions than passions. Tanandra enjoyed the break, not having to worry about her status as an actress, and a circulation of fashion shows was always fun. But something was still amiss with her. For what it was, men tried to wander back into her life. First, a windup toy whom had been property of the Church, named Alonso. He was intriguing, and decently handsome, but just as quiet as some of her wolves. He was some kind of poor human whose brain had been wired with computer parts and made programmable, not a man but not a machine, but certainly a strong and deadly bodyguard. Tanandra kept Alonso, briefly giving him purpose, though she still found only emptiness. It gnawed at her and irritated her greatly, leaving Tanandra sullen and less and less inclined to be social. The rag papers loved it, touting the golden-eyed queen's moodiness to sordid love affairs failing after the death of her darling and simply nothing else would do. It was trash, but what flecks of silvered truth were buried in the ink only Tanda knew. Something was amiss with her that fawning fans and awed crowds just weren't filling anymore.

((To be continued in separate post, current word count at post max))

[Guest]

APPROVED

Holy crap that's 9k words. You just broke Aki's record of longest word count.

[Lust]

((Continued profile))

In the wild, animals know when they are overgrazing the lands for food and not to over-hunt lest they starve and turn on each other. Tanandra was careful with the numbers of her beauties that she left prowl the rainforests of Rouen to hunt freely as they pleased, but she herself was feeling more and more trapped, much like she had when she was a girl and trapped in that dusty rat hole. There was confusion and frustration, and some bitter resentment as Tanandra began to doubt and question her place in things. Aurel had granted her power, but now there was nothing left to attain, She'd climbed to the top of the pyramid as a lone creature that felt strangely sad that nobody was there to revel in it with her. These feelings of brooding and melancholy weren't like her, but lacking a solution to a problem she wasn't clearly able to define was equally maddening. Feeling disconnected from herself and even from RIOTE, when the orders to move came, she dressed the part and accompanied Alena and her escort from Drachma into London. Once again she was the black sheep of the family, belonging but outside, frustrated at not being given the bigger picture and not having the control of being two steps ahead. All her life, Tanda had fought to stay ahead of the game so that she could shape it to her tastes and bounce back faster when things went astray. But in that limo, it began to settle into her that she was lost and in her own way, alone.

Nobody even really noticed that the movie star was there in the White House, dressed to the nines with the leader of Drachma, but everyone noticed as the bullets ripped through the two women who only healed and stood back up. Dying for the first time wasn't particularly pleasant, and it rather itched a little. But the feeling of power and life surging through her was tingling yet hollow. London screamed as it burned, their leader taken with them all the way to Amestris. RIOTE's plan was working, but it was still a plan that more and more Tanandra was feeling she really had no place in. Toppling the world to rebuild it was Aurel's goal, not hers. And in the streets of Central City the members of RIOTE moved out to their goals, their glories. But she hadn't. Tanandra found herself being mistaken for someone who didn't evacuate in time, and upon being turned loose to Cretan forces and being recognized as Tanandra Collier, all of them were silenced. This goal was not hers. This was was not hers, and had cost her to kill her own fans. She'd killed before, but not her fans since they never stood in her way. The very last vestiges of Louise's humanity were surfacing and becoming heartbroken and lost in the fray. But what's a screaming party without Reaver? He wasn't with RIOTE or Amestris, or allied to anyone really. But he was there, and had sought out not Louise, or Tanandra, but Lust. Like called to like.


Despite the woman being relieved to see Reaver there, the man did not return the feeling, disgusted by seeing the frightened girl in the middle of war rather than the elegant beast he'd known and bedded before. Her potential had been what was attractive, her feral power and natural lust. With a kiss that unleashed the raging screams withing Wrath's head, the deadly gentleman left her alone and with a promise. I only hope maybe this will be a wake up call to remind you where your currently standing…and to where you meant to stand. Goodnight my dear…I hope when you awake from this nightmare you will be yourself once more…. If not…then I will make sure I am the one that kills you…permanently.” With a kiss like eternity, Tanandra didn't feel the bullet rip through her head and end her, effectively killing what was left of the woman she'd forgtotten about ever being.

The time alone to recover was just what she'd needed, one feral animal shooting sense into the other. Reaver didn't see why she was with Aurel, and really, it was just out of obligation and fringe benefits. But those were dulling her senses. She needed to hunt again, to seek her own prey whatever it may be. She'd spoken with the true Lust within her, chastised at first and then reminded what she was. Reaver saw it within her, and Lust had bonded so well to Tanandra because they suited each other so nicely. Lust was more than sex; Lust was want. It was a sin akin to Greed, but tempered to a different edge. Tanandra needed to hone her edge once more, and return to being feral. She was a hunter and had been made a predator that nothing could compete with, but now nothing could satisfy. As she healed and moved away from the devastation of war, it was decided that the Greater Beast needed to sharpen her claws and fangs once more to return to the hunt.

”It's all about survival.

After the war Tanandra's steps were careful, spending her time mingling. Not that she needed to rub elbows, but more contacts never hurt. She even managed to give a push to the career of a darling little puppy-like model from her fashion show, and a chimera who wanted to design. They weren't really of much extendable use, but the mingling and time out being busy was time to help the actress find herself again. The world was changing with or without her, and she needed to find a way to get back into her rhythm, always two steps ahead, and somehow get back at Reaver. His being disgusted with her had hurt more than the bullet itself, and that made her furious. Nobody pushed her aside like that. Nobody. And as the winds of change blew around Rouen, it was underlined that new life would be breathed into the closed-off island. Under the careful eye and selected administration, Rouen would be repopulated. And this little thing gave Lust an idea. A terrible, wonderful idea that bordered on disgusting yet made the Sin within her sing.

The glorious actress Tanandra Collier could only climb so high and do so much as an actress and model, even as famous as she was. But the public saw her as a loner and had spent too much time hiding away from the world after a life of tragedies. Now she could start a role as an act so grand nobody would suspect. Charity starts in the home, they say, and Rouen was home. Rouen's new people would rise, and shine, she'd see to it. She would devote her life and work to charity, rebuilding the nation of her people and fully supporting their new leader elect. Rouen would be a paradise of hope and rebirth, like a phoenix. And she, personally, would host grand parties that would leave Reaver's in the dust. As she had with Vasco, Tanandra planned to mingle with politicians from all over the world as an ambassador for good and humanity and kindness and all that fluffy bullshit people ate for breakfast with their papers. The goal was delicious, and would allow Tanandra to climb even higher ladders of society, build a glorious reputation, and out-do Reaver every way possible. Everyone would forget about his parties with hers in place, and that would hurt him, and her traveling would give the huntress time to track her gentlemanly prey and show him just how weak she was.

        ...........................................................................

        POWERS:
        → A stone from RIOTE serves as her beatless heart, and serves to keep her flawless body highly resistant to damage and grants her astonishing regenerative capabilities. While she prefers to use manipulation to fight her enemies, she is more than capable of dispensing of people on her own, primarily through the use of her fingertips which extend into spear-like lances. They are fast, flexible and can cut through most things with ease and go to great lengths... but if you chip her nail polish, God have mercy on you because she won't.

        →As a predatory creature, Lust's senses of smell and hearing are just as powerful as her powers of suggestion and allure. Using what seem to only be the basest of instincts amplified, Lust can find and follow a person by the smell of their particular bodily pheromones, and from a distance hear their quickened heartbeats. Using this, she can tell those hidden truths about a person they would hide under their suits after they think they've washed their hands clean. She can smell the string of women that were with a man most recently, and if useful to her, play to that either by her own desire or through blackmail. She can hear their hearts speed up as they try to cover their lie, or when they hold their breath while trying to hide from the dark beast that would hunt them. Public and political favours, access, and power become hers to take simply through instinct.

        →In love, few things are as important as your mouth, and when aroused, the nerves in a person's skin become very sensitive, and pores open more. Humans are still instinct-driven creatures, after all, and sex is a powerful instinct. Secreting a heightening aphrodisiac through her saliva, Lust counts on the other person's body being receptive, knowing their skin will absorb her drug. Once absorbed, in small amounts, will keep the nerves sensitive in order to bring a heightened sense of pleasure. In larger doses, however, the sensitivity can be too much and take longer to wear off, the slightest touches causing lingering pain.

        →Speed, claws, and senses all sharpened, Lust becomes a more dangerous and sensuous creature as she grows. If you find yourself either as her prey or her guest, those boundaries may blur or dissolve as pleasure and pain meet. Like the secretions from her tongue, Lust's sweat and natural body's oils are also now contaminated with toxic levels of desire, scratches infecting the body and making one want more of the delicious pain that could kill them. A few small scratches are not so deadly, but the more you are scratched or stabbed, the more the desire and need increase, eventually leading one to bleed to death or suffer in agony for weeks as the scratches and wounds don't heal quickly, often becoming infected.

        ...........................................................................

      TRIVIA:
        → Tanda slept with Miguel when she was 16. She enjoyed every minute of it, too.
        → Her search engine stats for porn and photos are among the highest of current celebrities
        → Her own natural body's scent is said to be a mix of smoke, fur and sex
        → She's very picky about which movies she'll be in, but they all have done very well.
        → If you were to ask her about her heartbreaks, she will tell you how much she still loves and misses Alfred.
        → She genuinely does care about her wolves, even though they're still expendable (only when necessary)
      → Fluent in Rouenian, Esparian, Amestrian, andCretan to get by, but has a very heavy Rouen accent.

        ...........................................................................

        ALIAS:
        → Shu

        OTHER CHARACTERS:
        → Shula, Gavin, Anouk, Ayaka, Gotthard, Cookie

      CREATOR'S COMMENTS:
        → I am the 11th spice in the Colonel's secret recipe.

        ...........................................................................

[Bronze Degan]

POWERS APPROVED

Love them <3

[Iris]

Approved

Beautifully done, as always, Shushu

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