Twist in My Sobriety
She was used to people looking when she entered the room. As an "evil queen" anything less would be unexpected. But not like this. People looked her over with a mixture of wonder, shock and pure desire. And because of that they also looked ashamed. It seemed years of looking at Regina as the mayor had removed their memories of how magnificent she used to be, used to look.
At the other end of the room, Emma heard the gasp in the crowd and gazed towards the door. Her fuzzy head took some time to focus on the shadow moving towards the bar. And when she did, she rolled her eyes. A stunning creature entered the pub, wearing killer-heels, shiny leather pants, and a tight black lace-top showing off a deep cleavage and dark Gothic-style choker. Her dark red lips twisted into a smile when she viewed the crowd before her back away. She was in control. The world was her stage, and these people were nothing but props.
"I think I may be a bit drunk", Ruby said turning to Emma, ''cause I'm pretty sure I just had a weird illusion of Regina in a latex suit". Emma didn't answer at first, shocked by the appearance of the Queen. It was one thing to have it told and seeing drawings in a book, but the real thing? Oh my! She couldn't stop staring. At some point she realised her mouth was open and she closed it. "Yes, that drink was quite heavy", Emma replied, "because I'm seeing her too, only it's leather and she's looking.. " She stopped herself. Moments flew by and she needed to re-gain control. Fuck, fuck, fuck she's coming this way, she thought and asked the bartender for a glass of water.
Regina relished in the look on people's faces. Peasants! They should have run when they had the chance, now she wanted to play. But with who? She scanned the room quickly while moving towards the bar. Act confident, she reminded herself, show no fear. They smell your fear. By the pool table a couple of dwarfs were playing, and insignificant people were spread across the tables. None of them even proposed a challenge. A flicker of her fingers and they would follow her every lead. They might refuse of course, say no, plead. But their eyes gave them away. They would submit. Easy. No passion. No fight. No fun.
Like a lion eyeing a flock of antelopes she tried to pick her prey when her eyes landed on the two ladies in front of the bar. She felt anger brewing inside what are they doing here, ruining my night! Haven't they already done enough? She screamed internally but her smile barely twitched. Her hair hanging about her face fluttered around her as she walked. Her hips swayed and her head was held high. She moved towards the bar. The one person I didn't want to see, and here she's enjoying herself. Being happy. She felt the anger boil inside, this is not how it's supposed to be!
She didn't know why she moved towards the very woman she was avoiding. She didn't know what she said. But she did know the look on Emmas face was worth it. The woman was obviously terrified and angry at the same time. Push the right buttons, and she might have a fight. Push the wrong ones and she would run. The perfect prey. The perfect plaything. How did she not see that before? But then there was the Henry thing. He would probably not like it if she broke her. No, that was a bad idea. And yet...
Emma didn't notice Ruby backing away, or herself stumbling a few steps backwards as Regina approached. But those lips..! That smirk? The woman had power. Emma almost panicked. Then she took a deep breath and steadied herself. She was supposed to be the sheriff. The hero. The Saviour. This was not a time to fall. Not now, not in front of the entire town. She would fight to remain that tiny influence another day. She could do this. She stepped forward, meeting Regina halfway in the room. "Here's the thing.." she started, "I'm not looking to pick a fight now Regina, so just.."
Her voice started cracking as the Queen approached. This was not the Regina she knew how to handle. This was not the calm, collected and melancholic woman which loved their son. This was a creature of madness. A hurricane. A tornado. And she bent towards Emma. Regina screamed inside. This was not how she had planned the evening at all.
Voices filled Reginas head. All the anger she had kept bottled up inside screamed for her to reach out and make Emma fall down to the ground, make her beg for mercy, make her kneel. She destroyed everything just like her mother, Regina thought, her Henry. Her beloved Henry. Inside her head, her mothers words rang, urging her on. Love is a weakness. Kill them, kill them all! She tried to tune it out, to remain in control. Nothing you do will be good enough. Why do you even bother to try? She stopped. You're evil. Pure evil. There's no coming back from this. She felt herself gritting her teeth as Rumplestiltskins voice sounded once more in her head. No one will ever love you.
She wouldn't touch the Sheriff now, she decided. Wouldn't force her to crawl in front of her like she should. Henry wouldn't like that. But what a joy that would be. No, she had to find another way, another display of power. "I'm not here to fight, Miss Swan", playfulness audible in her voice, "I'm merely here for some fun tonight since my son is away at the time". She looked the blonde over. "And I can see you cherish your time with him". She didn't let Emma answer, but instead turned to the nearest person close by. A man of decent looks and a terrified look coated with lust. She didn't remember his name. "It seems I'll have to find some other way to keep myself occupied".
Emma didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to think. The notion of her not being with Henry when she could stung. But it was all Regina's fault. Everything was. She was the reason Emma was now mildly drunk in a bar instead of home with her son. She was the reason why Emma felt angry and sad and terrified. And it burned. Inside her everything burned. How dare she imply she wasn't handling Henry right? She was the one pushing him away so far he had sought her out in the first place. But she held her anger back. She wouldn't have this fight. Not now. I am their hero. Their saviour. She had to remember that. And with all the willpower she could muster, she forced herself to say nothing, to do nothing. To watch.
Like a snake twisting towards a rat, Regina moved towards her male target. She could see him inhale in shorter breaths, swallowing and his eyes widen. She could almost hear the blood rushing through his veins, and the frantic beating of his heart. She smiled. Yes, this is it. Bow down to your queen. She stroked his face with a finger and placed the other behind his head as if forcing him down. "Do you want me?" She asked. He didn't answer but his body trembled at her touch. A slight nod could be seen as his mind started grasping what was happening. "Say it!" She demanded in her regal tone, "Say it loud so they all hear you. Tell them what you want". The low whispering tone of her voice sent another tremble through him, and she felt a rush of power running through her. Oh, she'd missed this. Watching them squirm. Making them tremble. And mostly she enjoyed displaying her power to the shocked woman by the bar. She has no idea who she's dealing with, she thought as the man before her mastered enough of his voice to beg her to take him. "Please, my Queen. Please, I want to be yours. Take me. Let me be your slave."
Emma watched horrified at the show before her. The woman in black and her dance of seduction. The man hungrily reached for her body but wasn't allowed as much as a touch. This was Regina's game. Regina's terms. Regina's show. And as her hands left his face and stroked his arms, his body, his hair, Emma could feel something sting inside. Should she be watching this? This was so wrong on so many levels, so... Regina grinned, and slowly kissed the lips before her. The man sighed, and when she let go and walked out the door, he followed behind like an eager puppy.
Emma suddenly realised she was trembling. Her fingernails were digging into her clenched fist, and the burning sensation inside made her feel.. She didn't know. Shocked? Yes, she was shocked. But there was something else. A rush of blood ran to her cheeks, and she realised she was blushing. Her body was dizzy. Must be the shots, she thought and took a sip of water from her glass. She closed her eyes trying to absorb what was happening, but her eyes travelled to the door where Regina had left. She couldn't help but wonder what they were doing. She shouldn't be touching him. She was angry. Yes, she knew this feeling. He didn't know what he was doing. She had obviously cursed him in some way. She finished her water, and told Ruby she had to go. She can't just go around cursing people. She thought angrily, She can't just go forcing her lips on every eager boy toy. Images of Regina and Graham flashed through her mind, and she pushed herself through the door. Fuck being nice. Fuck being gentle. And most of all, fuck her!
