Toreador

[Ravenloft]

OOC: Serina's character is promised to Lipstickkitten.

Trent Norrez:

Walking through the halls of an art museum, Trent wore his dark shades, a silk button down, open at the two top buttons, an ankh hung in the nest of hair on his chest, he wore tight leather pants, and held a glass of crimson wine, cupped in the palm of his hand as he passed amongst the people there. It was a late night veiwing of his work, he'd worked it so the museum would stay open the extra few hours he needed to join these people in their perusal of his work.

They called him an excentric, some called him darkly erotic, and his most ardent critics simply called him mad. He passed one of his pieces, a woman born down on her knees, her hands on her cheeks, coated in blood, a hand seeming to jut from the darkness behind her, pulling her head back by the thick, lanky strands of her hair. A single male leg showed along her side, bracing her against its thick, muscled form. The look on the woman's face was one of terror and anguish, as, in the upper right corner of the painting, there was the glint of light off a knife's blade, dulled by a thin coating of blood along its edge.

Trent walked along, with a keen smile on his lips, he'd arranged for his most vicious critic to be here tonight... And, there she was, just ahead, circling about yet another peice of his work, circling it like a vulture... This one was a marble sculpture of yet another woman, her hands digging deep furrows through her fair marbled flesh... Sidling up next to Serina, Trent cleared his throat softly. "Ah, Serina... Good of you to have come to my exhibition this night..." Trent added cheerfully.

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

Serina had accepted the invitation unwillingly. Why she had let herself be talked into it she'd never understand. She paused at the door of the museum and talked to herself.

All right, Serina. Get a grip on yourself. You know how much this guy's "art" disturbs you. Get your mask in place.

As she had expected the first thing she could see, even from a distance, was blood. On the canvases. On the sculptures. She saw his twisted mind emanating from every corner. Her stomach turned as she approached a statue prominently displayed near the entrance.

She was offered a glass of wine from one of the passing servers. It looked just like blood, dark red in color, almost viscuous in nature. She shook her head, holding her hand up waving him away.

She began circling the statue. She knew she'd have to really look at the pieces in order to write a comprehensive critique. As she began taking it in, her skin crawled at the sight. She'd always been labeled as sensitive, and the image of this woman made her soul weep. She could almost feel her own nails biting into her tender flesh. It was then she felt a presence beside her.

She jumped at the throat clearing beside her, then his greeting.

"Ah, Serina... Good of you to have come to my exhibition this night..."

He sounded so cheerful, but his demeanor was chilling. She'd never like his work. She'd never liked him.

"Mr. Norrez, I've asked you before not to call me by my first name. It's highly inappropriate. If my work is to be given any credence, I must remain distant from those I critique."

 

[Ravenloft]

Trent:

Striding away from Serina's side, Trent moved to the oposite side of his sculpture, bringing it to bare between the two of them. "But of course, distantly, coldly, that is the way you critique after all..." Trent said calmly as he lifted his glass of wine part way toward his lips, dipping his head down to meet the rim half way. His eyes showed like that of a cat, stalking its prey from over the line of his shades. He siped upon his wine as he ran his free hand lovingly along the statues marble hip. "But, dear Innocente... For the true beauty of art to be seen... One must feel it... Don't you agree?" Trent's lips spread in a toothy grin as his hand continued up along the marble statue, over its wrent stomach, to cup its stoney, cold breast in his palm. He watched Serina unwaveringly the entire time.

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

His cold exterior made her shiver. Just what was it about him that made her react the way she did? His work was technically excellent, no faults, extremely detailed, his sculpting, his painting, but there was something underneath that she just couldn't put her finger on.

"No, Mr. Norrez, you don't always have to touch the art to truly see it. I feel quite strongly the anguish of your subject but don't need to touch it to appreciate - I mean, to critique it."

Now, why did she say "appreciate"? She didn't appreciate the piece in the least.

She watched as he continued to caress the statue, as if he was about to seduce it. The way he tenderly fondled the breast, his eyes watching her own moves, made her feel very warm.

 

[Ravenloft]

Trent:

"No... One does not need to touch a peice of art... To feel it in their heart..." Trent walked back around the statue, to stand before Serina. "To feel, just as keenly, the artists, pain, pleasure, love, hate... If the artist has mastery over his craft, as I beleive I do... His work may evoke any of these emotions, and more..." Trent settled his wine glass along his side as he drew even closer to Serina. "Joy... Sorrow... Desire... Fear... Any myriad of emotion..." He was lest than an arms length from Serina now. "Tell me... Does my work evoke nothing within your heart?"

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

He kept inching closer to her. His proximity was beginning to alarm her. But his words...his words and the way he was looking at her were making her body respond in ways she did not appreciate.

"To feel, just as keenly, the artists, pain, pleasure, love, hate... If the artist has mastery over his craft, as I beleive I do... His work may evoke any of these emotions, and more..."

He moved slightly closer.

"Joy..."

He inched closer.

"Sorrow..."

Again he moved closer.

"Desire..."

Another step.

"Fear... Any myriad of emotion..."

She could smell his essence, he had moved that close.

"Tell me... Does my work evoke nothing within your heart?"

He whispered the last, causing her pulse to speed, her breath to catch. What was happening to her?

"Yes, Mr. Norrez, your work evokes many emotions within my heart, within my soul."

She turned and moved away, toward a painting, hoping to elude him. To her dismay, he was right beside her.

"Your work evokes bewilderment...loathing...terror in my heart. If that is what you hoped for, you have succeeded."

She looked up into his eyes but they were hard to see through the colored glasses. Still, she saw enough to make her skin feel on fire. Clearing her throat, she spoke again.

"Might I have something to drink? Preferably not red wine."

 

[Ravenloft]

Trent:

With a snap of his fingers, one of the waiters came over, baring a chilled bottle of champagne. "I trust this will please you..." Trent said as he took a glass from the tray the waiter held in his other hand. He poured a glass for Serina then, and handed it to her, placing the bottle back into the ice bucket the waiter held, waving him away dismissively.

"Your soul... You feel my art that keenly?" Trent sighed as he stood beside Serina, the glass of wine he still held pressed up to his lower lip. "Fear and loathing, I understand, most feel that when they look at my work... But, what bewilders you about it? Im curious..." He leaned forward, and toward her, as though, the closer he was to her, the more he would see his art through her eyes.

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

As he fairly commanded the waiting staff, she concentrated on trying to be pleasant. She may not like the man or his work but he was highly respected in the art community and she didn't want to jeopardize her standing as a critic.

Hmm, impressive. Dom Perignon at an art opening?

She arched her eyebrow as he poured the drink, then took a tentative first sip. The prized liquid coated her throat like an expensive fur coat. She fairly hummed from the enjoyment and a slight smile crossed her lips. She tried to focus on his question.

"Yes, Mr. Norrez, I feel your art that deeply. I feel everything quite deeply, from literature, to music, to art, to physical comforts and discomforts."

His close proximity was less threatening now and she could clearly see his eyes. They were almost...hypnotic. She mentally shook her head.

"Your work invokes a sense of - how can I put this? - almost deja vu and I must admit I haven't the slightest clue why."

She took another sip of the champagne, allowing the alcohol to soothe her.

"Every time I look at your art, I feel something more than a macabre rendition of fantasy. I feel...foreboding...danger. I'm...I'm not sure I can explain it more than that."

 

[Guest]

Trent:


"Serina..." Trent paused. "Sorry... Innocente... You are truly a unique woman, I must say... Not jaded in the least... Perhaps that is why you are my most vehiminate critique? You feel my art TOO intimately?" Trent said, his voice, smooth, smooth, like silk, like the silk of his shirt.

"Deja Vu?" Trent said in light humor. "Hah... Perhaps we knew one another in a previous life? Oh, but then, you're a church goer, you don't beleive in such things... Forgive me for that..." The accent he put on church was something less than pleasureable.

"Ah, danger, fear..." Trent stepped back slowly, focusing his eyes upon Serina. "Tell me, how can you tell when you are safe from harm? I mean, right now, right this very moment... Whats to stop me from taking my glass of wine, shattering it against this statue, and using what remains to attack you with? You truly don't know me, and what little you do would hint at such an action, yet... You've... Let... Me... Come... This... Close... To... You..." Each staggered word was followed by a foot fall, bringing Trent mere inches from Serina's body.

 

[Ravenloft]

Trent:


"Serina..." Trent paused. "Sorry... Innocente... You are truly a unique woman, I must say... Not jaded in the least... Perhaps that is why you are my most vehiminate critic? You feel my art TOO intimately?" Trent said, his voice, smooth, smooth, like silk, like the silk of his shirt.

"Deja Vu?" Trent said in light humor. "Hah... Perhaps we knew one another in a previous life? Oh, but then, you're a church goer, you don't beleive in such things... Forgive me for that..." The accent he put on church was something less than pleasureable.

"Ah, danger, fear..." Trent stepped back slowly, focusing his eyes upon Serina. "Tell me, how can you tell when you are safe from harm? I mean, right now, right this very moment... Whats to stop me from taking my glass of wine, shattering it against this statue, and using what remains to attack you with? You truly don't know me, and what little you do would hint at such an action, yet... You've... Let... Me... Come... This... Close... To... You..." Each staggered word was followed by a foot fall, bringing Trent mere inches from Serina's body.

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

When he had begun asking her to explain what she felt about his artform, she began softening if only a little to Trent, the man, rather than Mr. Norrez, the artist. She felt as though he really was interested if not fascinated by how deeply she experienced all of the arts.

But now, he had practically threatened her. With each step he took toward her, she silently uttered a prayer for protection. His words and his actions instilled terror in her very being. Her arms raised in front of her as she backed against the painting and she whimpered in fear.

He was so close to her, she could see the coldness in his eyes, his face a mask, bearing no emotion. His raised hand was steady as hers were shaking. Her eyes filled with tears and she began to tremble.

She was barely able to speak, uttering her words in a whisper.

"Mr. Norrez...Trent, please...you're f...frightening me."

 

[Ravenloft]

Trent:

Reaching a hand up, Trent gently ran it through Serina's hair. "I know Innocente... Fear, its truly one of the strongest emotions, isn't it? " He eased back a little, collecting her hand into his own. "You tremble, your heart quickens, adrenaline courses through your veins, giving you a rush of energy... Ah... But, to fight or to flee..." Trent whispered as he brought her trembling hand to his lips, and kissed, his lips were light against her skin, damp with wine, and unusually cool.

He stepped back again, releasing Serina's hand, smiling, he'd never lost his composure, and the way he acted, it struck Serina, was much like a cat toying with a mouse. "My dear Innocente, I must admit something, I did not arrange your invitation tonight only to have you as a guest, no, I did so to offer you an interview." He paused for her reaction.

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

As he reached for her hair, she had turned her head, as if to avoid his touch. But the feeling of his fingers in her hair was not threatening. It felt...erotic. Then he took her hand in his and the touch was electric.

His words were almost a challenge, "to fight or to flee."

Then he did the unexpected. He lifted her hand to his lips, his eyes holding her own, and gently kissed them. The coolness was surprising but what was more surprising was the way her body responded to it. Pin prickles went coursing along her arms and her breathing became shallow. Her heart began to race and she felt a warmth invading her very being.

Then he withdrew and she felt almost bereft, the feeling of loss almost causing her to grasp his hand back. Then it felt as if he were toying with her.

"My dear Innocente, I must admit something, I did not arrange your invitation tonight only to have you as a guest, no, I did so to offer you an interview."

His eyes still held hers, boring into her through the tinted glass. His lips had curved up slightly as if he was bestowing on her a great and wonderful gift. She was startled and wary but, most of all, once again frightened.

"An interview? Why would you want me to interview you? I never praise your work, give you scathingly caustic reviews, and you want me to interview you? Why? I clearly do not understand."

His gaze was unwavering as they stood before each other, the people milling about the exhibit unnoticed. A battle had begun, but Serina didn't yet know it. Time was as nothing as she fell deeper into his eyes.

With a start, she woke as if from a trance and broke the connection, wavering where she stood. She turned as if to leave.

 

[Ravenloft]

Trent:

"Why indeed... It is because you are my most veheminent critic that I want you to write this interview..." Trent smiled again, a more gentle smile this time. "You see, you would interview without any great admiration, which I think would make for a much more... Revealing interview... And we must give the readers what they want... They have seen, time and time again, my fauning fans dote over my work... Its frankly quite sickening really..." Trent lifted his wine to his lips and finished it in one twitch of his wrist. "So... Will you accept my offer or no? ...I do have a limo waiting for you out front if you do, and my house servents will see that you are welcomed appropriately while I finish my buisness here..." He eased away even more now, giving Serina room to think, pausing for her answer.

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

She thought a moment about what he'd said, attempting to read between the lines. As she'd experienced in the past, though, he was to difficult to read. She allowed herself an extra moment as she sipped the remainder of her champagne.

"I'll consider it while you show me your latest works, if you don't mind."

She watched his face for a sign, any sign, but again was met with the cold mask he always wore, except when admiring his own work.

"If I might have another glass of your fine champagne as we walk?"

She watched him as he signalled the nearest waiter. He certainly had an air about him, one that demanded attention, compliance. She began to wonder why she was even considering the interview.

 

[Ravenloft]

Trent:

Pouring another glass for her, Trent looked up into her eyes casually. Letting the bottle slip back into its icy prison, he turned to lead the way, leaving Serina a step behind as she drew the bubbly head of her champagne into her mouth. "This one you may find particularly disturbing... Ah... Disturbing... Isn't that a marvelous word? ...Disturbing..." Trent sighed as he passed by a painting of a woman laying upon her back, naked. Her back was arched, the angle with wich she was painted was from her open thighs, up along her body. Her sex was bared, but grotesquely stretched open, a bloody, bile coated hand reacing out from inside her, its fingers tipped by black talons. Up along her body black fleshed creatures seemed to writhe and wrest against one another, like pups searching for a bitches teet. Two were pressed visciously upon her breasts, lines of black blood spilled from under their hungry maws, rendered from the woman's flesh, as they 'nurced' upon her. Every corner of the painting was either marked with flame or dark and grasping hands, as though many others clamored to be at this woman's flesh. But her face, her face was the most unsettling feature of all... It held the visage of a proud, happy mother... She showed no fear, no pain, only the peaceful expression of a nursing mother.

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

She sipped her drink as they walked listening intently to his description. "Disturbing" was an understatement for the painting. She blanched on viewing it, backing away as she did. Her eyes were wide and she felt faint. She might have fallen had Trent not taken her arm, his eyes taking in her condition. She held on to him as a frightened child would hold onto a parent after a bad scare.

"Th...thank you, Trent - I mean, Mr. Norrez. I apologize."

Still holding his arm, she turned away from the painting, fairly falling into his arms, her body trembling in reaction to the painting. His arms circled about her shoulders. She closed her eyes as she attempted to steady herself.

 

[Ravenloft]

Trent:

"My dear Innocente... Perhaps it was improper of me to offer you this interview tonight? I can see now how deeply my art effects you, I honestly would have never known..." Here he settled her to her own feet and eyed her challengingly. "Perhaps you are not as sharp a critic as I first thought? You seem faint..." He took the half emptied glass of champagne from her hand, caressing it next to his own empty glass of wine. "It would not do for me to let you drive home such as you are... Its not... Noble... Come... the limo still waits, I can appoint you a bed for the night..." He caressed her shoulder as gentle as a long time lover as his eyes caught hers in a deep gaze. "Please..." He whispered. "It would please me greatly..." Something about his words, the way he looked at her made it hard to protest, nearly impossible...

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

She began to protest but his gaze had her mesmerized.

"Mr. Norrez - Trent, I appreciate your gesture. Perhaps it would be best if I not attempt to navigate my way home this evening. As you may be beginning to realize, I almost...'feel' what is depicted in your work. Almost."

His touch was calming her, despite her earlier misgivings. She gazed into his eyes and became lost in their depth. Her vision began to blacken and she gripped her arms about his waist.

"I'm so sorry, Trent. I can't seem to shake the vision from that painting. Perhaps your offer is quite timely. I hate imposing, but I thank you for it."

 

[Ravenloft]

Posted by Ravenloft:

Trent:

"Its no imposision, I am honored that you would consider my abode safe, even at this time..." He paused. "My dear innocente... I would never harm you..." He leaned closer as Serina fell faint, catching her ear on the verge of blessid defness. "You mean too much to me..." He whispered then as she fell slack in his arms. He spirited her to his limo then, delighting in the power his nosferatu lacky had permitted him, but nearly spitting at what it had just cost him.

Blood was his life, and he knew it, but what little was left of his humanity knew it was wrong... He looked down at the woman in his arms and wondered if he could do what next must come... Hating himself for it, but a perverse need swelled within his breast...

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

She awoke feeling quite disoriented. Her first awareness came slowly. She remembered being at Trent Norrez's exhibit at the art museum, how she had reacted to the statue and paintings, especially the last painting, how she had felt faint and how Trent (puzzlement plagued her as she had no trouble now referring to him by his first name) had offered his home to her for as a refuge from her fright.

She also remembered his caress and how his eyes beheld hers, how she had turned in fear from the painting into his arms and begun to black out. Is that what had happened? Had she fainted like a woman of old with the vapors?

She rose from where she lay and beheld a richly appointed room. The bed in which she now sat was very old, a massive poster bed with rich velvet drapery, burgundy in color. There were antique furnishings throughout the vast bed chamber, ornate in design, and lavish paintings, dark in nature, adorning the walls.

There were no electrical lights that she could see but many candles and lanterns strewn about the room. The place had an old, old feeling to it and she shivered without knowing why.

She glanced down at herself and was stunned to see that she was no longer in her gown but in a dressing gown, old styled, with billowing diaphanous fabric adorned with silk ribbons, low cut, barely decent even in modern day fashion. That was all that graced her body and she wondered shyly who had dressed her.

She look about her for her clothing and her watch. Not finding them, she rose from the bed and began investigating the room, her bare feet making not a sound as she roamed about.

The clock on the mantel told her it was well after midnight and she wondered if Trent had returned. It was then that she heard the door knob being turned.

 

[Ravenloft]

trent:


"Innocente... My Innocente... Wake my dear... Please..." A pause... "I do not mean to wake you rudely, but, I beg you, if you wish to interview me, it must start now..." His hand caressed her cheek gently at that and roused her fully, her eyes opened wide and she felt a surge of unearthly energy. 'Serina... You... Have... Only... A... Minute......' a bodyless voice entoned...

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

The door opened and Trent entered. His eyes took in her appearance in the diaphanous gown, noting the curve of her hips, the swell of her breasts. At once was she aroused by his frank perusal of her. He left the open door and began to walk toward her, his face no longer a mask but showing his ardour plainly.

She blushed and tried to turn away but his eyes held hers. A voice spoke though the sound was faint.

"Innocente... My Innocente... Wake my dear... Please..."

She and Trent moved toward each other as if one. His arms went around her shoulders and pulled her into a warm embrace, his lips kissing her forehead, her eyelids. Her heart raced, warmth enveloping her body. She responded as a new lover, her loins pulsing in excitement.

Again a voice persisted from above.

"I do not mean to wake you rudely, but, I beg you, if you wish to interview me, it must start now..."

A touch on her cheek and her eyelids fluttered open. She felt an unusual energy lifting her from the most wonderous sensations. She resisted, wanting to delve back into the erotic feelings, so sensuous.

The voice would not relent.

'Serina... You... Have... Only... A... Minute......'

Hands on her shoulders raised her to a sitting position. Her eyes were fully open now and she found herself lying in the bed of her dreams, the man of her dreams sitting beside her.

"Trent, wh...what is going on? How did I get back in bed?"

She looked around in confusion at the darkened room. No candles were lit, only one of the lanterns. The door was closed.

"No. It can't be. It happened. It was so real."

She turned her face up to his, raising her hand to touch his cheek.

She whispered her despair as she touched the cold mask, a tear falling from her eye.

"It...It was but a dream?"

 

[Ravenloft]

Trent:

"Yes, but it doesn't have to remain as a dream..." Trent offered gently, runing the back of his hand along Serina's shoulder feathery light. He leaned against her side, pressing a quick kiss upon her bared shoulder, a hand circled about her to caress her stomach tightly.

 

[LipstickKitten]

Serina Innocente

His words were almost as if they were a key unlocking a door. All she had to do was to step through. His initial touch on her shoulder, so light, so sensuous, heralded a beginning, if she would just accept it. The kiss on her bared shoulder and the caress to her stomach took her breath away and she relinquished the hold on her misgivings, yielding to the sensations that assailed her.

She leaned back against his body, his mouth trailing kisses along her shoulder, up her neck to the nape of her hair. A sigh escaped her lips, a slight moan at the exquisiteness of his touch caressing her stomach, then enticingly climbing higher.

Her words were a whisper, as if afraid to break the moment.

"Trent, what is happening to me?"