Alcohol Haze

Firewater Lodge, one of the most famous and luxurious bars in this city. With its rustic atmosphere, wooden furniture, lush carpet and classical music, it fit what Sophia wanted. Just someplace she could drink decent alcohol to drown recent events at work and looking at the various eye candies in the bar. Men in suits, Women in dresses, all of them were very attractive and she had to stop herself whenever she had stared for too long. At least the bartender had a nice face with a strong jaw and gentle smile as he wiped the already clean glass in his hands. When she could no longer look at the other guests, he was there, being the oasis in the desert. He was even nice enough to listen to her complaining about what had happened. About how the higher ups weren't listening to her ideas, about her coworkers being snide and rude, then how the juniors didn't even seem to think she was worth talking to. It all piled down upon her one after another until she came here with teary eyes and begged for a strong glass.

The one she was holding was still the same, the first gulp of the alcohol was enough to send a burn down her throat and made her just drink it slowly. How she wished she could talk to someone else here, all of them seemed to be too high level for her. Getting laid by any of them would be a coup and she could even brag about that to some of her 'friends'. Maybe the online ones instead of the ones she knew in real life... Then who knew, maybe that person would like her and then they would end up dating and then-

Sophia shook her head, that was pipe's dream. Such a fairytale thing to wish for, she should be ashamed that she had done so, especially at this current age! She sipped her glass once more, the burn feeling far more comfortable now than it was at first. Halfway through too, so with her rate maybe she could order another glass soon. Or maybe pay and go back home, the prices here were a bit... to say they were on the splurging side was an understatement.

"Excuse me, a glass of Firespark please."

Clear, calm voice suddenly came from next to her, and yet the effect was the opposite on Sophia as she nearly choked from her own drink. That wasn't the most expensive drink in this bar, but definitely out of her league, especially with how the drink used a mix of old cognac and some other things she hadn't paid attention to. All the expensive things of course. She was curious of how it tasted, but everything she heard from people's words were how the taste tingled their tongue before the alcohol felt like it burnt everything from the mouth until it reached their stomach. Something one should try if they were seeking some sort of adventure. Curiosity taking a hold on her, Sophia looked to the right, wanting to know who dared to order something like that.

Her breath caught in her throat from the sight. The person was gorgeous, with a shapely figure and almond-shaped eyes, white, unblemished skin- Sophia swallowed, her throat felt like it was completely dry. She hadn't even counted the outfit the woman was in, it wasn't even a dress but more like a mix of casual and formal. Smart casual? Semi-formal? Boy, she felt like she was getting stupider just staring at the woman like that. "You're just like a goddess..." She murmured without realizing, couldn't help but wanting to give a compliment of some sort to someone with that kind of beauty.

Then the woman smiled back at her, and Sophia couldn't breathe. "Thank you, you are gorgeous yourself, dear." How did Sophia only just realized that the woman's voice was so beautiful? If a voice was represented as a taste, she would say that it was like those milk chocolate, creamy and rich and full of goodness as someone ate it.

But then Sophia realized why the woman had replied. She had said the compliments out loud and- blood immediately rushed to her cheeks as she covered her face with her hand. Too embarrassed to even show her face. Oh god. At least the woman had replied kindly instead of being angry or something. She knew some women didn't take too kindly to be complimented by strangers and she was one right then. "S-sorry." She mumbled an apology, more for calming herself down than for the stranger's sake, really.

The lady gave no reply except for a nod before she went to call the bartender over, talking with him about... something. Well, that was something Sophia preferred her to do instead of doing a small talk with her. Her cheeks were burning and she felt like she had been stupid. It didn't matter that she was so beautiful, the thing was how her action had been. Ahhh, she wanted to kick herself so much. Demolishing the rest of her drink as fast as she could, she could feel the comfortable haze of drunkenness gathering in her brain. She had wanted to save up the rest of the alcohol until wee hours of the morning too, but it was probably better to just leave right now. At least she had gotten enough eye candy for the night...

But before she could stand up, the bartender had arrived in front of her, putting a glass of something in front of her. "Magma's Heat, a courtesy from the lady next to you." He told her with a straight face, as if he didn't just say the name of another one of the expensive cocktails in front of her. The bartender gave her a light bow before going back to whatever he was doing.

Magma's Heat. No one really knew what was within it, but what people talked about was how it really heated you up. It wasn't the uncomfortable heat too, it was as if their body had submerged within a hot tub, comfortable and relaxing. "I-I can't accept this."

I had no money to pay you back

, was the words she also wanted to say but couldn't. Refusing this was hard though, she wanted to drink it... The woman seemed to also smiled amusedly from how she was reacting. Goddammit, this was why some rich people were... she wasn't sure what word she wanted, but she knew that sometimes the rich looked at the poor as if they were just playthings, to be thrown when they were bored. But she couldn't voice that, not when she had just bought her that drink. So she could only sit there, stewing in her own thoughts as the woman pretended to think for a bit.

Even before the woman opened her mouth, Sophia knew it would be a refusal. "It's alright, I just wanted to buy it for you. I won't ask you to pay you back." She let out a small laugh, one that sounded like a clear bell tinkling with each other and nearly made Sophia forget that she wanted to refuse the alcohol at all. "While I can drink it, it'll no longer be cold, which will be a shame, isn't it?" She continued, easily destroying any flimsy reason for Sophia to refuse.

Because to be honest, any of her refusal was rooted on how she didn't want to be in debt with someone. "Thank you." Sophia finally settled with those words, murmuring it as she finally picked up the glass with shaking hands. Once she started to sip the cocktail, she understood all of those reviews. The heat spread easily, not as a burn but just warmth that made her feel like she wanted to smile and relax. The bitterness of alcohol was also easily drowned by the other parts of the mix, somehow turning what was supposed to be the worse part for a drink into something that enhanced the whole taste. That made it easy for her to continue sipping and putting more and more down into her stomach.

The more she drank, the easier it became to chat with the woman too. By now she had introduced herself to be Joyelle. Nice name, a bit familiar in her mind but she wasn't sure where she heard it. Didn't matter though, Joyelle was completely polite and kind, listening to everything she said and even interjected and giving funny jokes at times. It made the whole affair comfortable, and it was easier with how the alcohol seemed to be endless too. Everytime she had finished one glass, another seemed to just pop up and it was easy to just follow Joyelle's cajoling to just drink and drink.

Her mind felt hazy, and she didn't know how many hours had passed. But Joyelle had been talking more right now and Sophia felt it was easier to just nod and smile even if she had been losing threads of what Joyelle was talking about. On how her superiors had been annoying her...? That seemed to be right, but she wasn't sure.

"So this whole thing has been nice, Sophia. How about we continue this somewhere... better? Like in my place for example." Joyelle teased with a smile and a wink, sending a rush of blood to another place for Sophia herself.

Refusal was at the tip of her tongue, that they only met just now and they shouldn't do that kind of thing. But then again, she came here for eye candies, and if she came away from this with a shag... She licked her lips before giving her a nod. "Y-yes, that will be good."

The smile on Joyelle's face turned into a full-fledged smirk before she then gave Sophia an approving nod that sent more warmth in her mind. As Joyelle turned around, walking towards the parking space- Sophia knew this would be her last chance to turn back. But well, tonight was good for her so far. Decision made, Sophia followed Joyelle, certain she wouldn't regret it.

The cityscape stretched out in front of her, as far as her eyes could see. Even at this hour of the night, most of them were all still as bright as ever, the lights turned on. The traffic was still filled with people too, although at least when both of them came back here, they didn't get stuck in any jam whatsoever. "Whoa... the view from your penthouse is fantastic." Completely awesome view, especially with how tiny everything down below looked like. Although maybe it wasn't a good idea to look down for too long, she was still drunk after all. Sophia blinked a few times, trying to push away the rise of lightheadedness in her head.

"It's unfortunate, but even a stellar view can't captivate someone forever." Joyelle replied easily, her eyes sad as she looked to the window. A slight pang went through Sophia's heart at that look, how many times had the woman came back, and only had the same view over and over- without anyone else here in this residence of hers to talk about it with. The thought of that alone left her shuddering, she knew she couldn't do that. But Joyelle shook her head and let out a happy smile, one that made as if the sadness from before was never there. "Anyway, just sit there on the sofa- I need to grab something then..." She trailed off, giving her a promising wink and a grin that colored Sophia's cheeks once more.

Boy, Joyelle just knew how to really hint at something. Nonetheless, she let the woman do whatever she wanted and sat down on the plush sofa, the leather cover felt soft, and the cushion itself... she felt like she could end up just sinking in it and let herself relax. But as she let her body loosen, her eyes just watching the view outside, Sophia slowly realized something.

With most of her drunkenness gone, her mind felt so clear. That it was pretty much in that situation where she was sober enough to think clearly, but obviously drunk enough that she still wanted to do that. After all, Joyelle was still attractive as hell and Sophia knew that if she came back right now she would just spend some time alone with woman's best friend. Very useful things. But at the same time, she wasn't sure if she wanted to truly do it and uncertain if she was just following the flow too much. After all, Joyelle smiled and talked and it resulted in Sophia just practically melted and willing to do whatever she wanted.

Now that she thought about that, it felt too fast indeed. Slowly, Sophia stood up once more, unwilling to leave the soft sofa but feeling certain of her course already. They could just change numbers and then they could talk a bit more before they do this kind of thing. If Joyelle didn't want to... Well, it might be regrettable but she had rather sad about that than feeling like she rushed into things. "U-um, Joyelle. I think I'll go back after all. You have been nice and all and it's not your fault- but well, I think we are going just a teeny bit too fast." She called out, trying to ensure that her voice reached wherever Joyelle had been.

That immediately made Joyelle pop out of one of the rooms, a surprised expression plain on her face. "It'll be too dangerous, won't it? It's still dark out, and you are still drunk too... no, don't try to deny it, I can see your flushed cheeks."

Those were all worrying indeed. Sophia couldn't deny it, but... "It'll be okay. Thank you for your worry but I'd rather just go back home. I'll order a cab or something back in the lobby." She shook her head a little, giving a weak smile. If she was honest to herself, she still wanted to just stay but the more she thought about it, the more she felt that she was better off going back. She could just be mad at herself from missing this opportunity later.

A frown slowly appeared at Joyelle's face as she listened to Sophia, before she finally let out a sigh. "Alright, fine." She replied, a bit of anger filtering in that made Sophia wince. The woman's mouth was completely in tightline, and there was a sound she couldn't place as they both walked back to the front door.

A tinkle? No, it wasn't something like a bell. Rattle... no, that wasn't it either. The sight of the front door made her stop pondering though, just letting it be a mystery. Or she could try to solve it later. Right in front of the door, she was about to turn around, just to tell her farewell and perhaps going to ask if she wanted to exchange phone numbers or something.

That was when her left wrist was gripped tightly, cold metal enclosed around it with the sound of gear grinding. It wasn't a familiar sound, and Sophia immediately panicked, trying to pull her hand back while her mind was reeling in confusion. She wanted to scream, but her voice felt like it's lodged in the back of her throat as she keep pulling, her right hand moving forward towards that handle-

Suddenly she was pushed forward. Momentum combined with each other, and Sophia saw stars. Stunned, she could only stare at the blurry door as her right wrist was taken as well, pulled to her back to be enclosed in the same metal as the one on her left. Even through that all though, she still tried to move, to pull away- her mind just full of jumbles and confusion on why did Joyelle do all these. "Why-" The word involuntarily escaped, she had thought that Joyelle seemed to be so kind and... it was just so wrong. She wanted to close her eyes, to deny what was happening.

No answer was given, and she couldn't even deny Joyelle was doing this especially with how her body was being dragged backwards. Sophia tried her best to fight against the grip under her arms, her feet just trying to find purchase from the floor and not finding any.

"Constantly trying to fight like that just makes you even more delicious, you know?" Joyelle whispered next to her ear, sending shivers down Sophia's back and increasing the fervor of her struggle.

Her heart felt like it was being gripped with a cold hand, and so she did even more effort. To pull her hands apart until the metal dug into her skin, so painful that she had to stop. At the end of it, she was lifted up and easily pushed to a huge bed but Sophia couldn't care for those right now. She tried to do more, kicking, and even struggling once more against the cuffs. No longer caring that it would break the skin because a little pain was better than staying here.

For a moment, Joyelle let go of her and Sophia's heart leaped straight to her throat. There had to be a chance for her here. She had to stop panicking but she couldn't- her wrists were completely in pain with each movement, and her hips were getting tired from all the kicking. But she had to continue doing it. Any stopping might mean... she gulped the fear down. She couldn't think of that, not right now. Just focus on the now. She tried to make her hand a little smaller and tried to pull that way, whimpering at the sharp pain.

That also made her feet stop for a second, and that was the chance Joyelle snatched. The woman grabbed hold onto them, and before Sophia could change her focus to try kicking the woman straight on- she pushed down and moved forward, fully putting her body weight onto Sophia's shins. "That was near hit, pet. It's always fun to have such a lively woman though~ Some just cried and did nothing and that's

boring.

" The last word was filled with so much contempt that Sophia nearly jumped.

But for now she had to try to make Joyelle continue to speak. Even though her wrist felt like hell right now, she could... almost get it through. "S-Stop. Why are you doing this?" At the very least she had no need to pretend that she was scared, especially with how shaky her voice had become. Trying to lift her feet weren't possible either, whenever she tried, Joyelle just grinned even fiercer and let her do so.

The question made the woman tilt her head slightly instead of moving to do whatever else she might do, giving it some thoughts and letting Sophia move her wrist a bit further. "Hm... well you just looked so cute I guess? If you aren't, I won't even deign to talk with you... so be glad for that." The smile from before came back, all angelic-like and beautiful. But at the same time, hearing her words... all Sophia felt as if someone dropped a rock down her stomach. "You also seemed to be pretty lonely~ so..." The smile slowly turned to smirk as she caressed Sophia's cheek, pulling it back when she tried to bite it. "Bad, bad girl. I'll have to be especially rough later then. Here I thought I'll be good to you... but then again I like it better this way."

Chill went through Sophia's body as she listened to that. This woman wasn't right at the head, but she also almost managed to- pain erupted on her skin and a cry of pain escaped from her mouth, alerting Joyelle on what she was doing at once. "Still trying to escape, huh?" The tone was low, ringing the bell of danger within her mind. But there was nothing she could do right now, her hands felt so raw and hurt and any movement on her part just sent more spikes of pain.

Sophia could only watch as Joyelle kept herself sitting on one of her feet before she pushed the other one to the side- towards the bed pillars that she only noticed now. There were chains with a shackle at the end. That sight pushed her to struggle even harder, but she had no purchase- especially since every movement kept sending more and more jolt of pain. Cold steel clamped over her ankle, and that made Joyelle to have an even easier time on the other ankle.

"Now even if you managed to pull your hand out of the cuffs... well, you can try your best with these." Joyelle murmured kindly, patting Sophia's hair for a bit condescendingly before moving Sophia's body around. She still gave a little struggle, but it was obvious she no longer could as Joyelle easily handled any of her fight without much comment. The only response she could see was how her smirk continued to grow bigger with every time it was thwarted.

When Joyelle finally moved to her back and unlocked the cuff, she let out a huge hiss from the grip she held the wrists in. It really hurt. "Stop, please..." Her voice cracked even as she tried to pull her hand away from Joyelle's grip and failed. But none of her pleas reached the woman's ears, merely making the mad grin a little wider as each of the shackles enclosed around her wrists as well. Each of her limbs were shackled and bound to each of the bed's pillars. She could still try to struggle but even from her position she could see the metallic shine of the chains and the thick wood of the pillars. Unless she somehow had super strength like those superheroes, she couldn't.

Her sight turned blurry as a sob escaped her mouth, tears falling off her eyes even as she pulled on her legs. She couldn't see any way for her to get away now. Shackled, bound, with no one knowing where she was- really, she had been asking for this to happen to her. She just stupidly went and accepted everything Joyelle asked and told her to do. Now she was like this, she only realized that everything the woman had done was designed to make her slowly lower her guard and accepted that bloody invitation in the end. She should have listened to her guts.