Upon her entry, he rose- chair legs sliding towards the fire. Had it been planned? Simply counting the seconds when someone would arrive? Jervis was a strange fellow indeed, more than met the eye. Evidently, he could say the same for the Lady. Eerie in all the greatest of ways; sensual, refined in only the maddest of fashions- a vision right from the darkest voids of Wonderland... Years came and went, since Jervis bore witness of such measure. Bowing low at his waist, thin gloved fingers reached out to gently brush the rim of his well-loved top Hat, keeping it from sliding off.
”—Welcome. We’ve been expecting you; please, have a seat…” he chimed, voice melodic; hypnotic even. Perhaps by some magick of his own- the chair beside him would slip out, inviting her to his world. In the back, Stephanie paused- staring blankly through the wall before her. Lost in her Rabbit Hole, stumbling ungracefully in her head; body merely traipsing through the real world. For a small moment, Jervis would direct his attention towards the wane, almost sickly blonde.
”-Steph dear… you are dismissed, return to your room… I have guests.” Jervis dare not dine with her; his Cards had a way of making his guests' table manners a thing to be laughed at. For now, he would simply admire time spent with the new arrival. Having taken his own seat, he popped a cramp some from his neck, a gentle ‘pop, pop’ sounding in tune to a melody only he could comprehend.
”I know a great many things, but alas your name is lost to me. I am Jervis Tetch, Haberdasher and Madman” A joke; adding on the last part rather casually ”—How may you be of service to me?” Twisting his words around wrongly- never seeming to notice, offering his guest Tea, filling his own cup…
Dark eyes, almost blood red in colour, followed his gaze- to the sickly blonde, that the man called 'Steph'. Doll-like, destroyed mind, glass gaze... Vendetta had seen such experiments before- or perhaps arcanic servitude, though she could discern no such traces. Either way... she dare not speculate upon the nature of that moment at present.
Stepping farther in, taking the proffered seat- silver and shadow beckoned to her sensibilities. Delicate her form settled, after removing her coat. Beneath lay her corseted form- the same blue-based violet lacing, and black. This served two purposes; eliciting lust, and rendering lechers' touches difficult. Opera-length gloves adorned her arms. In the light, her hair took a distinct violet wash. When he spoke, twisting his words, her blood-red lips turned to a smirk.
"It would depend upon what rather you enjoyed- and upon which end you preferred to be." In possession of a sharp mind, and wicked tongue, Vendetta already proved a delight. Tea sounded lovely- she poured a cup; as she added milk, slipped a clear droplet from a discreet vial in. Nothing. Taking it in hand, she smiled. When she spoke, twisting his own words back on their axis, playing his game- he couldn’t help but smirk, slate blue eyes glittering madly from beneath raven-dark locks.
"I've been graced with many a name and title. Dependent your desire... within reason, of course." Swirls of steam and soft waves of heat rose from most everything- except her. Icy elegance, in a land of flame... Curiouser and curiouser still. Taking a sip, milky-sweet, chocolate-mint essence slid down her throat. Somehow, each of her movements- pure seduction. He couldn't discern the cause, but he could tell she was... Different.
"-I admire much possessing a darker nature, but often my dominant side seems to step in... another discussion, another time." Wetting his lips, he settled into his own chair, slender fingers bridged slightly before his wicked smile, lost slightly beneath the shadow of his well-loved top hat. A pause, moving to steal a sip from his cup.
At length, she spoke once more: "I was expected this evening. Why, pray tell, is that? And who was that... Steph, you said her name why? Why dismiss her?" Mere banter, light tone and words disguising darker, more pointed inquiry. Preferring bluntness and in truth in this instance, those enigmatic eyes settled upon him... almost rendering him at unease.
”-I had a feeling is all… Couldn’t honestly say it was you I expected… but I knew someone was bound to arrive to grace me this evening.” He had been prepared; laid out the finery, the seats- unsure how many might arrive. How many would fall into his web. Oh, how he wanted to collect them all, play with them like the little dolls they were; to enjoy without consequence.
Ever a wise, emaciated owl- perched in his throne-like chair, Jervis quietly admired the dark beauty before him. Certainly for any other, she might have unnerved; but to Jervis… Only made him curiouser still. It was clear to anyone- even one so far gone as he- she was a lovely woman. Graceful, inspiring- not quite his cup of tea, considering he longed for a certain delicate blonde. Still, he couldn’t help but feel mesmerized by her performance. He allowed himself to be lured in, a smoker facing the prospect of cancer.
”—Stephanie, my former guest" he began, sheepishly smoothing out the wrinkles that had gathered on his tailored jacket "is not allowed to take tea with us. Her manners are poor, she's been naughty- and thus, suffers the consequences.” Very matter-of-fact. "-But to WHAT happened? Mind Control. Dear girl traipses a private Wonderland, lost in the Rabbit Hole... no escape... Rather easy to take such fragile minds. However, some..." he added bitterly "-Require breaking... I provide that service, rework their minds; like the Haberdasher I am. Mend them, however I see fit." That wild grin, were she another, would unnerve.
Vendetta smirked, pale lips enchanting. "One after my own dark heart. I certainly respect that." She took her cup in hand once more, sipping delicately so. "Lovely hair she had. Reminds me of my golden-blonde days; made the sun envious, before darkness embraced me as her own..." Idle chitchat... Vendetta spoke, mostly to herself. She recalled a time where she'd been pristine, feminine, innocent. As if alone, she spoke on, eerily quiet.
"Time is but a curse that inflicts all wounds, darkens all light... Yet, darkness is not that which one should fear- but rather, what lurks within." Presently she found pomegranate tarts on the table. She nibbled upon the seeds, marvelling in the sweetness. Louder, aware of present surroundings, she spoke once more. "Fascinating, how much can be gleaned from so small an instance, is it not? Things one can discover... If one is aware." How strange this pair was, yet fitting nicely- two pieces of a discordant jigsaw puzzle.