A/N: Just a heads up for the adult themes, I'd say moderate. Viper isn't nice, at all. She's Kara without a conscience. I'm aware the Emperor will likely be OOC here. I apologise in advance. I am just going off of how I've seen him acting, in similar situations like this. Violence ensues, and will do in the next few chapters too. After all, Viper isn't only exploring the world around her...
La Dee Da
Viper perched herself on an arm rest of Shao's throne as she concentrated on a small chain in front of her, dangling from a chandelier. She tried to move it with her mind, but failed. She huffed. She'd been trying this for a few days now, and for some reason she could not fathom, her abilities were not coming through. She looked at the Emperor before bristling. She didn't want a repeat of his previous actions...
Shao gazed at her, this little woman, gracefully perched on the arm of his throne. For weeks she had done this, taken the piss, much to his frustration. He threw her off it the first time, resulting in a long, nasty looking cut on her forehead. Blood ran from it, into an eyes, down her cheeks, dripped into her mouth...How dare she assume she could be this close to him. A mere mortal shouldn't dare presume they get to sit beside a god. She was nothing compared to him, sufficed to say he could crush her beneath his heel, as if she were a bothersome speck of dust.
He didn't do this, much preferring to watch her, his own little court jester. Viper was there for his amusement, and if she didn't amuse, or perform the tasks asked of her? He would crush her skull with his bare hands.
This was the magnitude of his strength. This was his power, his palace, his playground...
And Viper was the toy he'd picked to play with...
Viper managed to move the chain and grinned widely, white teeth glistening in the soft candlelight of the room. She looked at the Emperor and wasn't amused by the large man's expression as he stared at her. But, somewhere, in the back of her mind, she began to learn his behaviors, the patterns in it...
Shao would anger quickly, resorting to violence to get his own way. His Wrath Hammer was a constant companion, always at his side.
He poorly hid his rage, the skull covering his face did little to mask it. His lip would curl, he'd snarl and growl viciously when about to kill something, or someone. She had been out with him on a few hunts, and he was lethal Whilst that terrified her, it also gave her a sick sense of pleasure. This shift in her perception confused her at first, though she figured that perhaps, the soul inside her was fighting back. Kara found the man repulsive, but Viper found him intriguing.
She was Kara though, wasn't she? Then, why did she feel lost at times? Afraid, a trembling flower? Other times she felt powerful, beautiful, dangerous. A lowly guard who she used for training found that out the hard way. She battered him, the man stood no chance. No matter his skill, or the strong, decisive blows he rained down upon her with his spear, Viper easily outwitted him.
The remaining guards avoided her, even flat out refusing Shao's orders to stand outside her room and keep her safe. She used them as her punching bags, biting one, who shriveled up and died, curled up in a ball, covered in his own blood and vomit, a mere fifteen minutes later.
The Emperor had given her a room, of which when she saw it, it surprised her. She thought she'd be relegated to a broom closet, or something diminutive like that.
The room was huge, as big as the chamber she was created in, and the open plan meant she saw two more large rooms either side of the bedroom. One was a large walk-in closet, the other a bathroom. The large carved from solid granite round bath she had excited her. She very much looked forward to long hot soaks, after a day's sweating and training.
The walk-in closet was full of clothes, all tailored to her body. They fit perfectly, and she raised a brow as she found a few revealing numbers. As she perused through the coat hangers, she remembered that the Emperor was still in the room. She smirked, keeping it to herself.
"Emperor? How did Shang know my size?"
Shao shrugged. Viper tried to bury the urge to giggle. Shrugging just did not look right on a man such as him. He looked like a moody, brooding teenager, not an Emperor...
"Okay then...well, shouldn't a girl have some peace in her own room?" She looked at him and pleaded. It sounded wrong in her head to do so, but she didn't wish to be murdered for stepping out of line, or saying something she shouldn't.
"Ahem. I'd like to try on some of these clothes, and I don't think it's appropriate to do so, in front of someone I barely know, let alone the Emperor".
If the wolfish grin on the man's face was anything to go by, it looked like he wouldn't be leaving any time soon...
The woman sighed and turned back to the wardrobe, picking out a few pieces. She lay them on the bed, and saw the man turn away.
So, he was giving her privacy, though not too much.
"We must work on your abilities. They are not strong enough".
Ah...so that's why he remained in the room, to speak with her.
Viper slipped on a thin black strapped cat-suit, and laced up black heeled boots, looking behind her.
"Fight me. The guards are no match".
Viper blinked and turned. "Fight you? Emperor, I'm no match for you".
Appeasing the man was becoming easier and easier, almost child's play now for her. All she had to do was praise him, act like he was the only thing that mattered in her world. He was the only thing in her world, though, he was not the one who mattered here. Viper couldn't care less for him.
What mattered was her end goals, achieving them. Shang wanted her to kill the Emperor, so he could kill Quan, thus taking the throne. The young clone decided that she wanted the throne, and she didn't wish to rule beside Shao. She wanted it all for herself.
If she had to play dumb, be a good, little, subservient girl? She would play that. But, her true cards would be kept close to her chest, until the time was right...
A cough brought her back to the moment, and cold, melted amber eyes made her shiver.
"Besides. I can't fight in this. I can barely move in it. Can I at least put something else on?"
Shao shook his head.
"You must always be ready to fight, no matter where you are, what you are wearing. If you wish to survive, you must fight. Do you think an opponent will simply back down, and wait for you to change? No".
Viper rolled her eyes.
"Of course not, Emperor". She kept her tone respectful, though inside, she grew weary of his constant demeaning tone.
Shao pulled her into the middle of the room, and got into his Tai Tzu stance. Viper clicked her neck and knuckles, rotated her shoulder and got into a stance that the Emperor recognized immediately.
"Snake? Shang's style?"
Viper nodded. He caught a glimpse of peridot magic around her hands. The ensuing realization in his mind caused outrage to sweep through him.
She has Shang's power too?! How did I not see this? You sneaky bitch. You'll pay for talking what is rightfully mine...
The turn in his mood didn't go unnoticed by the woman, who blinked and jumped back. For a heavyset man, Shao was fast when he wanted to be. He was in front of her in seconds, eyes almost jet black.
Viper bit her tongue, resisting teasing him. She knew why he was furious.
Should I? Shouldn't I?
Fuck it...
"I know why you are upset Emperor. Shang tested you, bested you once", she let out the full force of the dead sorcerer's magic, and began levitating, "You wanted the orb, yes? Well, too late. You lost". She laughed and whilst still floating, she moved over to the doorway.
"Now, get out of my room Emperor. I know I can hurt you, and I don't want too".
Shao snorted, letting out a dark chuckle.
"Oh, I think you do. You believe yourself better than I, that you will best me. You are sorely mistaken, little girl".
Shao launched his Wrath Hammer into the air, giving the woman milliseconds to avoid it's blow. It made a large hole in the wall, and bricks slowly fell into her room and the outside corridor. She glared at the hole, unaware of what was going on around her.
This was a mistake, a huge one. This gave Shao the opportunity to grab her ankle, and pull her down, onto the carpeted floor below. She screamed and kicked him. The thin heels of her boots connected painfully with his face, subsequently knocking off his mask. A deep, rumbling growl sprang from his throat as he grabbed it and put recovered his face.
"You utter bitch!"
He slapped her, yanking her up afterwards. Viper spat out a tooth, and what looked like acid. She spat this at him, and quickly, he found out it's property was, indeed like acid. It scalded his cheek and hand as he rubbed it off.
"Where is the orb?"
Viper shook her head. "I destroyed it. It's mere tiny shards of glass now, in the throne room", she laughed, "You are dense Emperor. You wouldn't notice a herd of elephants running towards you, despite the ruckus they would make. Honestly, you're so dumb, it's hilarious".
Shao lost it. He saw red and slammed the woman's head against the floor. It smacked the ground violently, the sound of thudding dulled by the thick carpet.
The Emperor had to take a few breaths before he felt able to concentrate on anything other than the woman, now dead on the floor?
He checked her pulse, and found she still had one. She was unconscious and likely would be for some time. He pinched the bridge of his nose and picked her up. He did not care for grace, if she further injured herself in his arms, it was her fault in his mind.
He walked over to her bed, and lay her upon it, calling for some servants.
When they arrived, they had to walk around the partially destroyed wall and bricks in the corridor. They all gulped, and gathered as much courage as they could, before entering the room.
They saw blood on the floor, and Viper's lifeless body on the bed. They panicked, fearing they would be next. The Emperor's wrath was seemingly infinite after all...
"Viper needs healing. She was testing out her abilities and ended up flying into the wall", he looked the trembling servants over, "Any questioning that?"
The two men and one woman quickly shook their heads and bowed, in quick succession. Shao nodded and walked around them.
"Good"...
Three days later, Shao returned to Viper's room. The woman's face had been cleaned of blood, and a bandage put on the wound. She was scowling, arms folded. She wasn't allowed to wash her hair, as soap would irritate her scalp, so her hair was matted, stuck to her head, clumps of blood the cause. Shao tilted his head as she cracked an eye open.
"Emperor".
Her grumble wasn't appreciated.
"Viper", he raised a brow, "Behave". He scanned her over, battling a smirk when her white face darkened, a tad pink.
Viper could have screamed swore, threw off her covers and stomped around like a baby rhino.
Childishness wouldn't get her anywhere here. In here? Shao ruled with a big ego, a large fist, and an even larger hammer. The man was imposing, and he knew it...
The woman sighed and acquiesced. She had to grovel, again.
She got up on her knees and crawled to the end of her bed. She knelt in front of the Emperor, plea in her eyes.
"Forgive my hastiness, please. I didn't mean to speak out of turn".
Batting her eyelashes got her part of the way to forgiveness.
Or so she thought...
Shao grabbed her by her neck and yanked her forward. She yelped and shook her head. He checked the large bruises on her face and frowned.
"Unless you want more to add to what you already have, I suggest this never happens again".
Viper blinked. "Of course not Emperor. I will serve you, do as you wish", a wicked glint sparkled for a split second in her bright amethyst eyes, "Obey you".
Shao could have smacked his forehead. He squinted, He knew this game, the one she was playing. She was vying to be the cat to his mouse. Chase him...corner him.
She was trying to seduce him. He would be lying if he said part of him didn't mind that. Since Sindel had been killed, the Emperor hadn't been with anyone else. He could have used a servant, or one of their family members, tough he found this too much, too vulgar, even for him. His standards were higher, and he certainly would not lie with a commoner...
Those beneath him would never be worthy of being beneath him.
He was not his base instincts.
He looked back at Viper, who looked at him, expectant.
"I know your game woman. Cease it immediately. I am no fool, I know of feminine wiles, their trickery, their deceit. The way they twist men around their little fingers, to do their bidding, as they see fit".
He let go of her neck, but glared down at her. The woman fell back onto her hands, her skin paled, any trace of earlier pink vanished.
"I did not mean to pry Emperor. My place is beneath you", how she wanted to hiss at the nerve of the royal man..."I apologise. I won't bother you again unless you ask for me".
A pang of frustration gripped at her. Through gritted teeth she looked the Emperor in the eye and bowed her head in respect.
Shao took this as she meant it. The words she had spoken were true. He would know if she were lying, he could read people like a book after all...
Viper heard Shao's thoughts. Laughter wanted to burst from her mouth, in part finding what he was thinking humorous, and the other part shock.
She could hear his thoughts. She had tuned in to his...
Frequency?
No, that's not the right word.
She gave him a small smile.
Read people like a book? Riiight...
Okay big guy. I'll roll over...
For now.
"Emperor? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Shao was brought out of his thoughts, and shook his head. He gestured to two servants standing nearby.
"Draw me a bath". He looked back upon the odd eyes of the woman on the bed and sniffed.
"And draw Viper one, she reeks of sweat..." he looked away, 'and shame".
He smirked and walked away slowly, deliberately taunting the clone.
After her bedroom door closed, Viper hissed and flew off the bed in a rage. The sheet around her tumbled to the ground. She stood on it and heard a satisfying ripping afterward. She glared at a shivering servant, who had two towels in her arms.
"Well, make the bath then. Do what you've asked to do, insipid little", she looked her up and down, noting she was very young, "thing".
She pursed her lips and undressed, throwing her bloodied garments onto the floor. She heard the faucet being turned on. Steam billowed into her room. As she felt it's warm embrace, she shivered and mewled with glee. She loved to wash, finding it therapeutic, as well as necessary, Afterwards, she would apply lotions and potions to her skin, making it as soft as satin and smell divine.
She gather up the products she would use, and walked into the bathroom. The young maid looked away shyly. Viper pondered why, before it dawned on her that she was naked.
"Ah". She walked over to the bath, and finding the water at a suitable level turned off the taps. She placed the bottles on her vanity table, arranging them in the usual, practiced way she had taken to doing. She shooed off the woman after she was handed some towels.
Though, she did spare her a cursory glance. She figured as long as she was in the palace, she could at least talk to the inhabitants of it. Gauge their thoughts on state matters, on duties...
On the Emperor...
"Thank you...", she didn't know her name, "What is your name?"
The maid squeaked and turned, flushing from embarrassment. Shao never spoke to her, he just gestured. But Viper was...?
"Sorry Miss". She smiled. Viper found it rather cute. "It's Arielle".
Viper raised a brow, musing. "Arielle?" She rolled the syllables on her tongue. "What a lovely name. Edenian I take it? I have heard the names when Shao is at court, and it sounds like an Edenian name".
Arielle nodded. "Yes Miss. I am Edenian".
She smiled, but it wasn't the sweet as pie one anymore. This one was forced. Viper picked up on that quickly, wanting to question the sudden shift in the golden blond haired woman's mood.
"What do you think of the Emperor?"
Arielle's eyes widened. She had not expected that question clearly. She waved her hands and shook her head several times.
"I cannot answer that Miss. If he hears me, he'll...".
Viper frowned, lines creasing her forehead from the intensity of it.
"Why would he harm you, unless you dislike him". The poor girl was visibly shaking. "Oh, hush now", she employed Shao's tactics on her, though the inflection behind her version was not one of malice. "I read up on Edenian law and politics. I know what he did Arielle, I understand why you despise the man".
A wicked glint formed in her eyes when Arielle frowned.
"Despised is a strong word Miss". She chose her words carefully, on the off chance that the man in question was nearby. "The Emperor is a great man, a force to be reckoned with. I shall not speak out against him". She turned and shuffled towards the doorway.
"I'm sorry again Miss".
The clone rolled her amethyst eyes. Her pupils were black lines now. She'd had enough of talking.
"It's Viper, and you needn't apologise".
She muttered after that. aware she wouldn't be heard.
"Seriously, stop it with the niceties.. It's like you are pulling my teeth out with pliers. I cannot stand it. Shuffle off back to your hovel Arielle. Let me bathe in peace".
Viper slipped into the bath, uncaring of decorum or gracefulness. She plopped down and hummed happily. The water's temperature was perfect. With a flick of the wrist, she had her bath poof in one hand, and a bottle of body wash in the other.
She sighed her contentment, deciding to wash herself later, focus on relaxing first...
Her thoughts turned to the Emperor, and what had just occurred. Her skin boiled when she was livid with him, when he was so close she could hit him, and see him tumble backwards. If she could get away with that, she would have done it. Her mind replayed him injuring her again and again. The animosity rose within her. Though, curiously, something else did too. An odd sensation in her abdomen. She couldn't pinpoint where it came from exactly though. It continued to baffle her as she scrubbed gently at her skin. The warmth of the water made her skin warm, but it seemed that internally, she was heating up too...
She chalked it up to indignation, but as it spread she shifted. It became uncomfortable to be in the bath much longer, so she doubled her cleaning speed and washed the remainder of her body in quick time.
She got out of the bath, and took out the plug. As she toweled off, watching the water's counterclockwise motion as it slipped down the drain she found she couldn't think. Her head felt woozy, and the greenish tinged bruise on her face began to sting. Though dull, the pain bothered her. She finished drying and dropped the towel unceremoniously.
She called Arielle back, who took her clothes, bed sheet and towel, before bidding her goodnight.
Now alone, Viper wished to sleep, to crawl into her bed and rest. Everything seemed to pile up in her mind, it all fought for dominance. Like the pile of clothes on the floor, she felt like more was being added on top. She couldn't process this, it made her head ache.
She shut her eyes, and focused on her breathing. Tomorrow was a new day...
But, truth be told? She sorely tired of being the Emperor's punching bag. He used her for his own amusement, wanting her to prance around, play the fool all the damn time. It pissed the woman off.
If she ever got a chance to dance to the beat of her own drum, she would take it.
By these 'Gods' that she'd heard people were so fond of, that they prayed to them, she would...