First Reply Dance Macabre

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Black masquerade dress

Amidst the flickering glow of neon-lit signs and the hushed whispers of the night, Valery moved with graceful determination through the dimly lit alleyways of Nar Shaddaa's underbelly. The black cloak that concealed her dress trailed silently behind her as she made her way towards the clandestine venue rumored to host a dance. One organized by something much darker than the crime lords of Hutt Space. The air was thick with anticipation, a palpable tension that seemed to cling to the very shadows themselves. Valery's senses, honed through years of Jedi training, prickled with unease. Darkness lingered around this place — something that called out to her from the depths of the Force.

But she could not determine its true source.

As she approached the entrance, Valery paused to adjust the intricately crafted mask that concealed her features. It was a masquerade after all, and anonymity was a requirement. With a steady breath, she stepped into the pulsating heart of the event. The scene that greeted her was both enchanting and unsettling.

Couples swayed and spun across the dance floor, their movements fluid yet strangely hypnotic. The music, a haunting melody that seemed to echo through the very bones of the building, sent shivers down Valery's spine. She paused only at the edge of the dance floor, her heart pounding in anticipation. With a sense of purpose, she reached up to undo the clasp of her cloak, allowing the midnight fabric to slip from her shoulders in a silent cascade.

While she put her coat away, Valery's gaze swept over the assembled guests, her eyes searching for any sign of the darkness that had drawn her here. But amidst the swirling sea of masks and costumes, it was impossible to discern innocent from foe.

She would need to tread carefully if she was to uncover the truth behind this sinister gathering.

First Reply​

 

[Aziraphale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Aziraphale sipped his drink, his gaze cold and calculating as he watched the partygoers, a quiet darkness veiled behind his pleasant expression. He was happy to accept dances from beautiful women, each step measured, each movement flawless. He led them to a plush couch, where he gently deposited his seemingly tired partners, their once vibrant energy now dimmed. Truth be told, he had been sapping them of life and strength, subtly draining their essence with every turn and twirl.

His ice-cold gaze was hypnotic, drawing them in deeper, rendering them helpless, unaware of the true danger lurking just beneath the surface. Each smile, each soft touch, masked the slow theft of their vitality, a silent horror unfolding within the lively ballroom. It was his perfect hiding place—a sea of unsuspecting souls, ripe for the taking, where he could amass power from hundreds without a single scream to alert them.

As another dance concluded, a slight ripple disturbed the air, a small pang in the Force. Aziraphale's attention shifted, his eyes narrowing as they found the source. Valery. She had just entered the grand ballroom, her presence like a sharp note cutting through his carefully composed symphony of shadows.

A devious smile played on his lips, the thought of a new, far more challenging game forming in his mind.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Black masquerade dress

Valery let the haunting melody wash over her, her senses attuned to every flicker of danger that seemed to linger in the room's corners. The music was enchanting, a perfect mask for the eerie undercurrent of malevolence that crawled beneath the surface of the event. Every step she took felt like a delicate dance with the unknown, and the faint glow of lights reflected off the faces of masked guests, their true identities hidden beneath elaborate disguises. But it was the subtle tension in the Force, a ripple that pricked at her awareness, that sharpened her focus.

As her eyes scanned the crowd, they eventually locked onto him — Aziraphale

Amidst the sea of swirling dancers and shadowy figures, his presence stood out like a dark flame. His red hair, falling in cascades over his shoulders, and those piercing, ice-blue eyes seemed to hold a magnetic pull over the room. His pale, flawless face radiated danger, yet there was something undeniably alluring about the way he moved with such grace, every gesture deliberate, calculated. She could feel the pull of the Force between them, but it wasn't just that — there was something in the way his eyes followed her now, a quiet challenge in the slight tilt of his lips.

Without breaking eye contact, Valery allowed a smile to tug at her own lips, a knowing look that invited him into the game. She stepped forward, her body moving with an elegance that mirrored the rhythm of the music, each movement designed to draw his attention. From the sway of her hips to the way her long hair danced around her shoulders. As she neared, her steps became slower, deliberate. The crowd seemed to part around her as she made her way towards him.

Finally, she paused within reach of him, her gaze unwavering. "Well?" Her voice was low, smooth, carrying with it the same undercurrent of intrigue that danced between them in the Force. She extended a hand, waiting, her eyes challenging him to accept. There was no mistaking the danger he represented, but there was something about the dance — something in the thrill of walking that line between light and shadow — that made her want to see where this encounter would lead.

Perhaps she could prevent disaster by keeping him focused.

Aziraphale ​

 

[Aziraphale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Aziraphale moved closer, snaking his way through the sea of luxurious fabrics and glittering jewels that adorned the partygoers. He prowled, slipping past one person, then disappearing the moment he broke line of sight, only to reappear a few feet from where he had been, as if he were something conjured from a dream. His presence was unsettling, almost unreal, but the ice-cold blue of his eyes was unmistakable, fixed unerringly on Valery. Though he vanished from view at times, she could not shake the creeping, gnawing sensation of being watched.

His gaze fell to her hand, a moment of cold calculation. His own hand lifted, brushing against hers in a fleeting, almost ghostly touch as it traveled and snaked slowly up her arm. The sensation was unnerving—warm leather tracing the line of her skin, his fingers snaking higher until his gloved hand wrapped tightly around her forearm. With a sudden pull, he drew her in, capturing her in his grip with an ease that felt both intimate and perhaps...terrifying.

His was grip firm but with a strange, almost seductive gentleness. He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. It wasn't his proximity that he used to send shivers through his prey—it was the invisible pull of the Force, weaving its way around her mind, in an attempt at softening her resistance.

"You looked lost," he murmured, his voice a low, velvet purr that danced along the edge of a whisper. "Allow me to guide you back to where you belong." came the velvet caress underlined with a subtle wave of Force Suggestion, an attempt at bending her will.

His fingers slipped from her arm, trailing like a soft current against her skin, guided by the Force. His presence in her mind might seemingly deepen, as he was using a delicate application of Affect Mind to blur her thoughts, making his touch feel more familiar than it should. With a single graceful motion, he took her hand, drawing her closer as his other arm slid around her waist. A sense of Persuasion whispered through his grip, making every step feel as though she had no choice but to follow.

The world around them seemed to blur, fading into the background as his hypnotic gaze held hers captive. "There's something enchanting about you," he said, his tone laced with an unsettling charm. His lips curled into a smile, almost playful but laced with something darker. "Shall we dance until the night forgets we exist?"

The music swelled around them as he spun her with an eerie precision, every step, every sway, calculated to make her feel as though she was falling deeper into a trance—one from which she might never wake.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Black masquerade dress

Valery's breath hitched slightly as Aziraphale's cold touch crept up her arm, his fingers curling around her forearm like a snake tightening its grip. The chilling sensation of his presence, both physical and through the Force, sent ripples of discomfort through her mind. She felt the subtle wave of his power, the pull of his voice trying to bend her will, but Valery was no stranger to such tricks. Her resilience to mind-affecting techniques, forged through years of experience and discipline as a Jedi Shadow, flared up like a shield against his influence.

Still, it wasn't easy and it showed.

For a moment, his words wrapped around her like a whisper in the dark, her mind briefly faltering as the suggestion tried to seep in. But Valery's fiery determination burned through the haze, and she blinked the blurriness from her vision, her gaze sharpening once more. His proximity, the warmth of his breath against her ear, made her acutely aware of how close they stood — and how dangerous this dance was. The way he spoke, the calculated precision of his movements... It was all designed to make her lose herself, to lure her into his web.

But she was not a woman easily caught.

As he spun her around, his arm firm around her waist, Valery allowed herself to move with him, but her mind remained focused. The tension between them simmered beneath the surface — a battle of wills disguised as a dance. There was something undeniably magnetic about him, and despite herself, Valery felt her heart race. Whether it was the thrill of the danger he presented or the unsettling allure of his dark presence, she couldn't deny the effect he had on her.

But even as she danced along, she never forgot who he was — what he was. His charm, his grace, and his dangerous words were all tools, weapons he wielded with deadly precision. And yet, Valery found herself playing the game willingly, her curiosity piqued by his mysterious nature.

"You know your moves," she said, her voice smooth but with a subtle edge of challenge. "I wonder... how many others have fallen for it?" Her amber eyes locked onto his, unblinking, refusing to waver under the weight of his gaze.

He was dangerous, yes, but that only made her more eager to see how far this game would go.

Aziraphale ​

 

[Aziraphale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Aziraphale's smile darkened, a touch of amusement passing through his ice-cold gaze as Valery resisted his influence, the spark of her fiery determination burning brightly against his calculated attempts. He could feel the way her mind fought back, her shield of discipline flaring up against his subtle manipulations. But instead of frustration, he felt… intrigued.

"Ah," he purred, his voice a low, silken drawl, "you're not like the others, are you? So many fall so easily—willingly, even. But not you~!"

His fingers, still wrapped around her forearm, loosened slightly, though he made no move to release her. Instead, he spun her again, a slow twirl that brought her back even closer, his cold touch lingering on her waist as if daring her to pull away. There was a dangerous grace to his movements, each step deliberately smooth, designed to make it practically impossible for her to break free without a struggle. The crowd, the music, the world around them continued to seemingly keep trying to blur into the background, as if they were the only two that existed.

"I... confess," he murmured, his voice dripping with dark charm, "there's something more... intoxicating about a challenge. It's not every day that I find someone so… resilient." His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, studying her with a predatory intensity. "I wonder, though—what is it you fear? This dance, or... what comes after?"

He leaned in again, his breath teasing her ear, his words slipping into her mind like a quiet storm. Affect Mind was still there, lurking beneath the surface, though less aggressive this time—an almost gentle caress, seeking to unravel her defenses without force.

"Your grace belongs to the light," he whispered softly, "but by the way you move... I think you're tempted by the dark more than you let on."

The challenge in her eyes hadn't escaped him, and his devious smile returned as he led her into another graceful spin. He allowed the tension between them to simmer, feeding off the dangerous game they were now locked in. And though his grip was gentle, his presence wrapped around her like a vice.

"You're dangerously good at keeping up with the shadows. Careful, or you might start to enjoy the dark side a little too much."

He paused, his smile widening as if savoring the challenge she presented. "I have no intention of letting this end easily," he added, his words both playful and threatening. "So, darling... just how far are you willing to go?"

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Black masquerade dress

Valery met Aziraphale's gaze, her pulse quickening under the weight of his words, but she refused to be drawn fully into his web. The way he spun her with such fluid grace, the way his voice crept into her mind like a shadow, it was all part of the seduction. His suggestions were dangerous, but they did not shake her resolve. He was toying with her, testing her, and there was no way she could give him the satisfaction of yielding. Yet, it was so hard to resist.

As his breath whispered against her ear, Valery allowed herself to smile, a soft, enigmatic expression that played on her lips but never quite reached her eyes. "What do I fear?" she echoed, her voice smooth but with a bite of challenge woven through it. She let the question hang for a moment, her amber eyes never leaving his.

"Not this dance," she continued, her tone growing firmer. "I fear what comes after — when the music stops and the clock strikes midnight. The masks come off, and we're left with the truth." Her voice dropped lower, her gaze hardening as she pushed back against the wave of darkness that lingered around him, trying to pierce through his smooth veneer. "I fear what's waiting in the shadows once all this pretense is stripped away."

Despite the tension, the pull between them, Valery's strength simmered beneath the surface, defiant. She knew what he was doing — the subtle manipulation, the careful lure — but she would not fall for it. Still, there was an undeniable thrill to walking this dangerous line, and she allowed herself to stay within it, intrigued by just how far he was willing to go.

"But I wonder..." she added, spinning gracefully with him once more, their steps perfectly aligned, "What is in this for you? Is this just a game? Or are you the reason I was drawn here?"

Aziraphale ​

 

[Aziraphale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

"Life is a game," he cooed softly, his voice like velvet as he held her close, swaying to the rhythm. "The ultimate game." His purr grew deeper, satisfied. "Who can take that which is most precious, with nothing more than a touch so soft, a whisper so sweet?"

As he spoke, something cold and snake-like trailed along her thigh, a subtle caress beneath the fabric. For a moment, she thought he might be slipping a hand under her skirt, but no—the hands she could see were accounted for. His right hand held hers delicately in his gloved palm, while his left rested firmly at the small of her back. And yet, there was something—no, someone—rubbing, coiling higher, brushing against her hidden blade.

There was a soft tear, a rip in the cloth, and the sensation vanished. Her own blade, now freed, traced a delicate line along her leg as if teasing her before retreating, disappearing like a ghost. He leaned her back with effortless grace, holding her steady, his strong arms like a cradle of iron. His icy blue gaze met her fiery orbs, locking her in place with an intensity.

"You feel that?" he murmured, his smile slow, predatory. "The line between control and chaos. Between freedom… and surrender."

His eyes flickered briefly to where her blade had been, then returned to hers, the playful danger never leaving his expression. "The real question, my dear, isn't whether I can take what I want… it's whether you're willing to risk it all."

He leaned in closer, breath hot against her ear. "But tell me… are you brave enough to gamble? Or do you fear losing more than you're ready to admit? Because with me… you won't just risk your life. You'll risk losing yourself completely. A game worth playing… or a loss you can't afford?"

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Black masquerade dress

Valery's heart raced, her pulse a drumbeat in her ears, but her expression remained controlled—calm, like the still surface of a deep ocean. She could feel the predatory thrill radiating from Aziraphale, his words coiling around her like the serpent he so clearly embodied, but she refused to flinch. The subtle caress along her thigh, the ghostly touch of her own blade teasing against her skin — it was all part of his game, a dangerous dance that blurred the lines of control and chaos.

But Valery was no stranger to walking the razor's edge.

As he leaned her back, his cold, piercing gaze locking her in place, she felt the weight of his words pressing down on her. His challenge was clear, his offer of surrender cloaked in silken seduction. He wanted to see if she would break, if she would yield to the pull of the darkness he offered. But Valery's resolve was forged in fire, tempered by years of battle and sacrifice. She had danced with shadows before, and though this was different — more intimate, more dangerous — she would not fall so easily. She couldn't, right?

She shifted in his arms, her body pressing closer to his, though the movement was not one of submission — it was a challenge. Her lips hovered near his ear, her breath warm against his skin as she whispered, "I'm already risking it all, but it's a risk I can afford to take."

"So the question isn't whether I'm willing to gamble, or if I'm brave enough to risk everything," she continued, her tone sharp and confident. "The real question is—" she leaned in just a fraction closer, her lips barely brushing his ear as she whispered the final words, "—what happens to you when you lose?"

She pulled back, her expression cool but charged with unspoken challenge, her body still perfectly aligned with his as the music continued its haunting rhythm. Valery's pulse thrummed with the tension, the thrill of walking this dangerous line, but she would not falter. Not here, not now.

Aziraphale ​

 

[Aziraphale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Aziraphale's cruel smile faltered for just a moment as her whispered words reached his ear, surprise flickering across his features before he regained his composure. His icy blue eyes sparkled with dark amusement, and he practically purred, "I suppose that would depend on the will and desires of the winner... to the victor goes the spoils, after all."

He began to turn with her, picking up a touch of speed, the dance becoming a swirling, dangerous game of its own. "But think about it, luv~," he murmured, his tone smooth and taunting, "your children… without a mother. Your husband… left without a wife. What would they become in your absence? How would they bear the weight of your loss?"

His grip tightened slightly as they moved, his voice curling around her like a serpent. "You know the burden they would carry—waiting, wondering, searching for a mother, a wife who would never return." His words lingered, cold and calculated. "So, are you truly prepared to risk all that?"

With a subtle shift, he twirled her again, locking his gaze on hers, amusement dancing behind his eyes. "To the victor goes the spoils," he repeated, his smile returning with a wicked edge, "and I always win."

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Black masquerade dress

Valery's eyes narrowed at his words, her jaw tightening as his taunts coiled around her mind like poisonous vines. The cold, calculated cruelty of his voice tugged at her deepest fears, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of showing even the slightest crack. His claim that he always wins echoed in her ears, but rather than falter, a spark of defiance ignited within her.

She leaned in close, her breath brushing against his cheek as she whispered, "Then you'd better be ready for that to change."

Her words hung in the air, sharp and deliberate, as their movements quickened. The dance became more than just steps—it was a rhythm that throbbed between them, hypnotic and consuming. Their bodies moved in perfect synchrony, the world outside their embrace falling away until only the pulse of their steps remained. Valery's form swayed with an elegance that was equal parts dangerous and graceful, the fluidity of her movements contrasting with the hard edge of her defiance. Her dress swirled around her as she spun, a reflection of the intensity simmering beneath her calm exterior.

Her fingers brushed his, then released, before pulling him back in with a fluidity that blurred the lines between a dance and a duel. Her amber eyes remained locked on his icy blue ones, their gazes tethered together by the unspoken tension. The rhythm of the music, the push and pull of the dance, it was all a delicate game — one that Valery was determined to win.

With a deliberate pause, Valery slowed their pace, her body still moving in time with the rhythm but with a more measured, almost seductive sway. Her lips curved into a slight, enigmatic smile as she peered up at him, curiosity mixed with the ever-present edge of challenge.

"You speak of winning," she said, her voice soft yet laced with steel. "But what is it, really, that you want?" Her question lingered, her tone deceptively calm. "Why are you here? What is this all for?"

"And why does it feel so wrong?"

Aziraphale ​

 

[Aziraphale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

For a moment, he let her words linger in the space between them, savoring the tension. Then, with a voice as smooth as silk and laced with dark amusement, he responded. "Oh, little flame… what I want is quite simple," he murmured, his tone rich with mockery. "It's you. All of you. Your strength, your fire, your resolve... it's intoxicating." He twirled her effortlessly, pulling her back in with a swift motion, their bodies moving in perfect synchrony.

His expression turned almost playful. "Perhaps it's because you know what you're really risking. You've felt it, haven't you? The edge of control slipping away." His grip on her waist tightened slightly, his breath brushing against her ear. "The harder you fight, the more you lose."

His voice dropped, seductive and dangerous. "You think you can change the outcome, but deep down, you know there are some battles you can't win." He chuckled softly, the sound both cold and amused. "And that feeling… that delicious tension between what you want and what's slipping through your fingers? That's why you can't help but play this game, even though you know how it ends."

He drew her in wrapping both arms around her from behind as he caught her in a whirl. "Remember... it's not the fall that hurts,
It's when you hit the ground."

Inky black wings unfurled with a sudden, powerful sweep, casting shadows as Aziraphale's form shifted and grew against hers. His charming facade twisted, horns curling upward and back—two pairs of blackened spikes crowning his head, transforming him into something darker, more imposing.

Without warning, he lifted Valery off the ground, their movements quickening as his wings beat with strength, carrying them toward the skylight overhead.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Black masquerade dress

As Aziraphale's mocking words washed over her, Valery felt the intensity between them spike. The moment he pulled her closer, the heat of his breath against her skin and the weight of his words sent a shiver down her spine, but her resolve burned fiercer than ever. Their bodies moved in perfect rhythm, her every step matched by his, but the game had taken a far darker turn.

When his wings unfurled, dark and menacing, and his grip tightened around her, Valery's eyes widened, though not with fear — her defiance blazed brighter. The power he exuded, the transformation into something far more dangerous, only made her blood burn hotter. As his wings beat against the air, lifting them toward the skylight above, Valery's heart pounded in her chest.

She could feel the pull of gravity, the rush of wind against her skin, but still, her focus never wavered. Her fingers dug into his arms as they ascended, her grip firm and unrelenting.

"Put me down!" Valery demanded, her voice fierce and unwavering. "I'm not your prize to take, and I won't let you carry me away like some helpless victim."

She locked her fiery gaze with his, her expression hardening. Her words dripped with defiance, her amber eyes burning with the intensity of her conviction. "If you think you can take me like this, think again. Because if I fall…" her grip tightened, pulling herself closer to him as they flew higher, "I'll bring you down with me."

Aziraphale ​

 

[Aziraphale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

As they ascended, his grip tightened, horns and feathers framing his now twisted, powerful form. With a sudden burst of speed, they soared toward the skylight, shattering through the glass in a spray of glittering shards. The night sky enveloped them as they escaped into the cool air above.

His laughter echoed across the sky, a booming sound that seemed to carry with the wind. "Oh, you think so, princess?" he cackled, soaring over the landscape below at a terrifying speed. The world blurred beneath them as he flew over a lush, verdant forest, descending swiftly as a large lake came into view. His grin widened, his icy blue eyes glowing eerily under the pale moonlight.

His wings spread wide as they glided above the shimmering surface of the lake. Then, with a sharp, playful motion, he thrust his arms forward, dangling her precariously over the water. "Let's see how brave you really are," he murmured, his voice dripping with dark amusement.

As Valery hung from his grasp, he began to wriggle out of his gloves, prepared to make the sacrifice if it meant sending his beautiful passenger plummeting toward the cold, dark waters below.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Black masquerade dress

Valery's heart pounded in her chest as Aziraphale dangled her over the dark, shimmering water below. His twisted grin and mocking tone filled her ears, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of showing fear. Her grip tightened on his arms, every muscle in her body tense as she glared up at him, amber eyes burning with defiance.

"Do it," she spat, daring him.

And then, with a flick of his wrists, the inevitable happened. Valery's body plummeted toward the lake below, the cold wind whipping around her as she fell. Her mind raced, adrenaline coursing through her veins, but her focus remained sharp. She hit the water with a loud splash, the icy chill cutting through her instantly as the dark water engulfed her.

For a moment, everything was silent beneath the surface. The cold was numbing, her dress and hair billowing around her in the dark water as she fought to resurface. She kicked upward with powerful strokes, her lungs burning as she broke through the surface with a gasp, water streaming down her face and chest. Her dress clung to her curves, soaked completely, the fabric sticking to her body like a second skin. Every inch of her was outlined — the firm lines of her toned abs, the curve of her hip, and the rise and fall of her chest.

Shivering from the cold, Valery swam to the edge of the lake, her muscles burning from the effort. She gripped the shore with wet, trembling hands, her body shaking as she hauled herself out of the water. Her soaked dress continued to cling to her every curve, droplets of water trailing down her skin as she stood on the edge, her chest heaving with each breath she took.

The cool night air bit into her wet skin, and she wrapped her arms around herself for warmth, but her shivering was as much from rage as it was from the cold. Water dripped from her hair, her soaked dress plastered to her body, her fiery gaze still focused on the sky where Aziraphale had left her.

Her teeth chattered slightly as she muttered under her breath, "I'm going to kill him."

Aziraphale ​

 

[Aziraphale]

TAGS: Valery Noble

Aziraphale had landed gracefully on a nearby shore, casually leaning against a tree as if the entire ordeal had been nothing more than a game. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched Valery emerge from the water, her soaked form glistening in the moonlight. He practically drank in the sight of her, from the anger radiating from her fiery gaze to the way her shivering betrayed the chill of the night air.

"Is that so, princess?" he called out in a sing-song, mocking tone, his voice carrying easily across the water to where she stood. The sight of her fury seemed to delight him, a smug grin tugging at his lips.

"You'll catch your death of cold if you don't get out of those wet clothes sooner or later," he teased, the taunt dripping with a dark, playful edge. He let the words linger in the cold night air before continuing, his eyes never leaving her. "Though I suppose you don't want a ride to the nearest hotel to dry off and warm up, hmm? Or are you planning to stay mad at me the entire time?" His grin widened, clearly relishing her discomfort.

Aziraphale's wings twitched slightly, as if prepared to take flight again, but for now, he remained where he was—watching, waiting, his gaze predatory and amused.

"You've got fire, little girlie," he purred, his tone still mocking but laced with an almost perverse admiration. "But we both know how this ends. So tell me, are you going to sulk over there all night? Or do you plan on making good on that threat?"

His eyes flashed with challenge as he watched her, knowing full well he'd struck a nerve, his amusement growing with every second of her silence.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: Black masquerade dress

Valery stood on the shore, her wet clothes clinging uncomfortably to her skin, the cold biting through her soaked dress. Her fiery eyes locked onto Aziraphale with a mix of anger and irritation as he teased her from the nearby tree. His smug grin made her want to slap it off his face, but she resisted, shivering slightly as the night air chilled her to the bone.

She let out an exasperated breath, knowing that standing here in the cold wouldn't help her situation. Still, she couldn't resist giving him a sharp retort.

"Well, if you're done playing your little games, I think I'll take you up on that offer," Valery spat, wringing out some of the water from her dress as she started toward him. "But I'm still angry with you."

With a glance at his wings and then back at him, she arched an eyebrow. "What was the point of all this, anyway? You show up to some dark, eerie masquerade, get under my skin for hours, and then throw me into a lake? Was that your big plan for the night? To irritate me?"

Her tone was laced with sarcasm, though her words were genuine. She wanted to know what he was after, why he had gone to all this trouble. Because she couldn't believe it was just about the fun of tormenting her — no matter how much he enjoyed it.

Aziraphale ​