Adorably Deadly Who: Domina and Ava When: Evening Where: Ad Gustum
Her chat with Zale had gotten Ava wondering about Ad Gustum and whether or not the establishment, under new management as it was, could accommodate her particular tastes. She'd called ahead to set up an appointment for a tour of the facility, with a potential booking if she liked the place. She had a few hours, after all, and it was better to maximize her playtime than have to bother looking around for someone to snatch who wouldn't be missed. And so after making her appointment, she busied herself with a few errands. The demon attacks were bothersome, but Ava kept to the skies as much as possible and wasn't particularly bothered.
When she left for Ad Gustum, however, she had a brief run-in with a demon. Deumos, if she was correct on her identification - female, four horns, crown of bone. Seemed about right. Ava had paused in a shop to pick up massage oil in her favorite scent, a spicy incense blend made by a local witch, when she was charged by the female demon. The streets were mostly deserted, save a local college-age girl who seemed to be hurrying home. Ava casually grabbed the pretty girl as she sprinted past, tossing her negligently in the path of the charging demon to be gored as she took to the air.
She landed a moment later at Ad Gustum, pausing to straighten her hair and clothes. She'd dressed for bloodletting, black pants and a black halter for her wings, with a black sweater tucked into the bag she carried that also held her favorite knives, the oil, and a few special toys. Ava liked to be prepared in case Ad Gustum had someone pretty. She left her wings out to sparkle pale gold in the light of Ad Gustum's entry, head up imperiously as she waited for someone to attend her.
Naturally, Ava did not have long to wait. The demons may have been going full-force on the outside, but one could never tell inside the walls of Ad Gustum. It was business as usual, mention of demons kept to a minimum. Possibly because the madam of the fair house was still pouty beyond belief that she'd been forced to piss one off.
Ancilla, smart girl that she was, was quick to lead Ava to Domina's office. It was no good to let a client wait for a second - not if she valued her ass in one piece. And when Domina's door entered and she was in the presence of the little fanged darling, she smiled brightly. "Ava Carlisle, we meet at last," she said, standing and leaning over her desk to offer a handshake. "I have been so hoping to see you here someday. Domina Moriarty. A pleasure to meet you."
Ava kept a sharp eye out, continually observing the place as she was led to Domina's office. The decor was elegant and tasteful, the place looking clean and well-run. On the surface, at least, with the sort of understated hush that usually indicated servants who could keep their mouths shut. On the whole, Ava approved. Of course, she'd never been to Ad Gustum's previous incarnation, so she had nothing to use as a baseline comparison.
She favored Domina with a polite little smile and shook the girl's hand. "My goodness, you are a young little thing, aren't you?" she remarked mildly, giving her a once over with discerning eyes. "I'm surprised you've thought of me. I'm quite sure I'm nothing like your typical clientele." And hadn't the enterprising young sisters only taken over within the last month or so?
Domina smirked as she took her seat, gesturing for Ava to make herself comfortable. "I suppose I could say we're both prime examples of finding something you're good at, and starting young." That could be taken any number of ways, and most of them were probably spot on. That worked for Domina! She gave a casual shrug and grinned again. "If I have my way, there will be no such thing as a 'typical' clientele. What we do here may be taboo to some, but I'd like to see us expand and appeal to all sorts, and all tastes. It must get dull, being limited to something as vanilla as Heme."
Ava perched delicately on the arm of the chair, both for the extra bit of added height and to avoid crushing her wings. The feathers looked soft, unbelievably luxurious with the pale shimmer of gold, and she took care not to muss them if she didn't have to. "On the contrary," she said, eyes going a little cold at the age remark, though she didn't say anything outright. Ava hated reference to her apparent youth by others, even if she frequently used it as a weapon herself. "I have my own places to play when the mood strikes, but occasionally I find myself lacking the time to track down suitable playthings."
Domina so wished she could sprout her wings in her human form. They weren't as lovely, but she was terribly fond of them anyway. "We're good for that," she said, without hesitation. "Anything you can desire, we can get for you - with the utmost discretion and confidentiality."
"And you have suitable facilities?" Ava queried curiously. "I prefer to take my time; things can get rather... loud and messy, shall we say." She did so try to be careful not to waste delicious blood, but she never could decide if she liked it better sliding so warm and thick down her throat or splattered vibrantly red against the walls.
Domina had to admit, she quite liked this. Ava wasn't even pretending to have other interests, it was straight to down and dirty. So nice when clients felt comfortable enough to just say what they wanted. "This place has been standing for some time, built by the former owners with very specific ideas in mind. This property wasn't built with a basement - it was built with a right and proper dungeon. I would dare say we are equipped to any means you can imagine - though we do so love a challenge."
"We have such a thing," Domina said, small smile in place. "Sound proof rooms are invaluable with those of your senses - or even mine, to a lesser degree," Yes, that was hard to admit, but her sense of sound was not on par with a vampire's. Her vision, however? She liked to gloat that it was better at any given opportunity. Sadly, not at Ad Gustum. "We have a few white cells - very much like padded rooms." She'd had a few ordered for Angeline's sake, actually. She was so fond of things being white and bloody. At the question, she smiled pleasantly. "I wouldn't be worthy of this job if I didn't. Do you have any particular tastes you'd care to indulge?"
"Mmm," Ava purred musingly. "Male, I think, late twenties or thirties if you have one. Fit. A macho type, yes? Girls and lesser men start screaming and passing out so distressingly early, after all." If she was going to pay, she wasn't leaving until she'd had her fill of playtime. "Blood type is irrelevant, though nothing rare. It wouldn't do to splash such a precious resource all over the walls, after all. Or perhaps," she added with a coy little smile, looking rather frighteningly childlike, "you'd provide a tour of your facilities and the... menu, so to speak." She could, after all, choose best for herself.
Oh, how devious. Chilling, really! Naturally, Domina loved it. She was just so terrifyingly precious and dangerous. She just wanted to put her violent little ass on a keychain. "Of course," Domina agreed immediately, mentally going through their 'inventory' as she stood. There was one that would perhaps be perfect. He had been slated to serve as siren food, before their siren left the brothel. They were in the works of signing a new siren on, but when she got here... they could just get her new food. "It would be my great pleasure to do so. I think I might have just the thing in stock."
"Delightful," Ava said, pleased. "It's been so distressingly long since I've had a worthwhile plaything." Perhaps, if this specimen Domina had in mind was indeed suitable, she'd even leave him alive, come back and play with him again. After all, it wasn't necessarily the death that she craved as much as it was the warm splash of blood on her skin and running velvet-soft down her throat, the hellish music in her toy's screams. A good toy couldn't be wasted on just one indulgence. It had to be savored. "Do lead on," she said, gesturing as she mirrored Domina and stood.
Domina was happy to do so, dismissing the waiting Ancilla once they reached the hall. She would be happy to show Ava around herself - something she didn't always do. Ancilla wisely made herself scarce. "If you'll pardon the interior of the lower level, I promise to take you somewhere suitable. We do have a client base that pays for time in an authentic dungeon, and we aim to please." She didn't bother troubling Ava with the stairs on the other side of the house, instead heading for the small elevator. Once inside, she spoke of the man she had in mind. "The man in question was rounded up to please a siren we once had on staff. He was here on vacation from the upper peninsula... rugged, outdoorsy sort, and a volunteer fireman to boot. That siren has moved on, but I've been saving the remains of her feed for a special occasion."
"I have no issues with touring an authentic dungeon," Ava said magnanimously. "They're quite enjoyable under the right circumstances." She kept her wings tightly folded as they stepped into the elevator; though she was a small girl, she still needed a significant wingspan to take flight, and the mass of silky, shimmery gold feathers were at least as big as she was. Though she occasionally allowed fans to touch - usually when doing publicity in Hollywood - she didn't like the curious just assuming it was all right. "He sounds delightful," she said, eyes alight. "Though I assume that since the man is still alive, the siren in question never actually fed upon him." She knew most of the slaves down below were likely occasionally harvested for their blood, so she didn't expect him to be entirely untouched, but neither did she want some sloppy seconds barely clinging to sanity.
"He is completely untouched," Domina assured the golden child, once again admiring Ava's wings as she did so. She did not feel the action rude, figuring that anyone who had wings like that would want to show them off. "We have kept him well fed and cared for, awaiting for a new purpose to present itself. Saved for a rainy day and all," she grinned. "I'd say it's pouring."
An expression of childlike delight crossed Ava's face and she clasped her hands together in what was likely about as close to joy as she could get. "Oh, how wonderful," she said, well aware of how utterly innocent she could look when she played it up like that. All she needed was a halo to complete the picture. "I hadn't expected him to be entirely untouched. That will be quite the unexpected pleasure."
"We aim to please," Domina grinned, as the doors opened into the dungeon. It was your stereotypical dungeon - dark, cold, dank, and thoroughly surprising that such a place could exist within the modern mansion above. "A brothel was running here well before the Light of May," she said, conversationally. "By a vampire, but he was a man of little vision. He grew bored and moved on to another country, I believe. The opportunity was too good to go to waste, so I purchased the property and created Ad Gustum." Technically, her father had purchased it for her, but same dif. He wanted her to build up life skills, that was what she was doing.
"It is occasionally the consequence of immortality," Ava acknowledged, following Domina down into the dungeon. She was entertained by Ad Gustum's duality, all brightness and elegance above, while below it positively stank of fear and despair. Par for the course for a dungeon, but that didn't mean she savored it any less. "Stifled creativity, that is. Or some never had it in the first place. It takes a certain temperament to play a long game without dying of it distressingly early." She was still young, as vampires went, but she anticipated a long, fulfilling life. She had her hobbies, after all, and her business ventures. So important. "You might make an interesting vampire," she told Domina, her version of a compliment. "You have yourself remarkably put together for someone so young."
The statement was actually taken as a compliment. Domina liked vampires, and she would have savored immortality. "Flattering words," Domina replied, "Sadly, impossible. I'm of a long line of weres. A born hawk," she explained, as they made their way through dark halls. "Though honestly, I can't imagine being anything else. I would quite enjoy immortality, though. There's a lot I need to pack into one lifetime." Who knew, maybe she'd find the magical way to extend her life. Who better than a Moriarty?
"Shame," Ava said. "But who knows; perhaps you'll live long enough for a magical solution to be found." She thought she might keep an eye on the girl all the same. Ava couldn't have turned her even if she wasn't a were - she didn't know for sure, but she'd certainly bet fairly heavily that Domina wasn't of angelic blood, thus disqualifying her for Gabriel House. Ava could have dredged up a contact from one of the many houses to turn the girl, of course, but now it was all pointless speculation.
"I look forward to the possibility," Domina replied with a grin, before stopping in front of a heavy door. "Here we are..." She would have slid open a viewing window in the door for Ava to view him, but it was a little high up for her. There was a lower slot for the exchange of meals, thankfully, so Domina pulled that open to let Ava have a look.
Ava bent slightly to peer through the meal slot at the prisoner, vampire vision having no trouble at all with the dim dungeon lighting - or rather, lack thereof. The man in question was indeed as described, rugged and outdoorsy and looking surprisingly healthy for having been one step away from a blood slave for who knew how long. He looked wary but not scared, perhaps even a hint of defiance. "Oh, he looks fun," Ava murmured, tone rife with satisfaction. "I'll take him."
"Excellent," Domina responded, snapping her fingers for the nearest staffer to fetch the keys. "Shall I have him taken to one of the white rooms for you? Or would you like to take him there yourself?" There was, of course, no possibility for escape down here. Even if he did manage to get away from the little vampire's grasp, and then upstairs, and then out the door... the spells on this place would have him regretting the decision thoroughly.
"Oh, a leash shall do just fine," Ava said. "He can accompany us as we finish the tour of your dungeon to one of those rooms." The slow building suspense and fear made things so much more satisfying when she finally began working on him. She had no fear that he'd get away; he was stripped of potential weapons, the place was well-guarded, and Ava could outrun him even on the legs of a child - and if she couldn't, she could out-fly him in an instant.
Domina nodded, and the staffer wordlessly entered the cell to put the man on said leash. There was a bit of stubborn resistance, attempts at holding on to what was left of his dignity, but such attempts were futile and short lived. Once properly chained, his leash was offered to Ava, and Domina smiled as she gestured down the hall. "Right this way."
Ava took the leash, giving it what looked like a light tug but had the effect of yanking him nearly double, putting his head at Ava's height. She reached up and gave him a light pat on the head. "Be good," she warned him, "or I shall be very cross with you." Releasing the slack in the leash so he could straighten, she pulled him easily along behind her as she followed Domina.
Oh, this was fantastic. Domina grinned in appreciation of Ava's treatment of her new pet, and happily lead the way to one of the promised rooms. The white room, as promised, was utterly pristine. The walls and floors were white and softly padded, the room bare of any furniture. "Of course anything you could require or desire would be provided. How will this suit your needs?"
"Goodness, it's lovely," Ava said, gazing at the room in appreciation. "I almost hate to soil it." Almost. She gazed around the empty space. "A table," she said. "Of the stainless steel autopsy variety if possible, but really anything of his length that can be fitted with restraints will suffice. And the aforementioned restraints, of course. Oh, and pliers. I could just use my fingers, I suppose, but it can be so tricky to get a grip when your fingers are so slippery." Her pet paled and opened his mouth as if he were going to say something, but Ava forestalled that with a quick, firm yank on the leash that set him to coughing and choking rather than speaking.
Okay. It was official. Domina adored this little bitch. If (much) later in her life, she ever buckled down and sired minions through the old fashioned baby-making way, she hoped the little devils were this cool. Turning towards a waiting member of staff, she nodded at him and he hurried along to meet Ava's requests - looking quite relieved that he wasn't the one on that leash. "Of course, right away," Domina agreed easily. "Should you think of anything else later, you need but only ask the nearest attendant that you see. They will treat all of your demands as if they were my own."
"You're too kind," Ava said, favoring the girl with a sweet smile, marred only by sharp fangs. "I suppose, then, that I can take things from here." Once her equipment arrived, of course. She pulled on the leash again, dropping her new pet to his knees. Sitting back on his heels put him just below her in height, and she absently stroked his hair back like one would a favored dog, apparently oblivious to the look of growing anger on his face. "If I don't see you on my way out, I'm quite certain I'll be visiting again."
Domina returned the expression, minus the fangs of course, and stepped back into the hallway. "I look forward to it. Do enjoy yourself." She took her leave, grinning to herself as she headed back to the elevator. Yes, she was quite certain she and Ava were going to have a fantastic business arrangement.