"Valentines Day Ball (story) (cons, asphyx, decap, romance)" By robblu (https://pastebin.com/u/robblu) URL: https://pastebin.com/u1XUS8K6 Created on: Thursday 19th of March 2020 07:49:02 PM CDT Retrieved on: Saturday 31 of October 2020 03:03:19 AM UTC Valentines Day Ball (story) (cons, asphyx, decap, romance) « on: March 06, 2020, 08:37:43 PM » ReplyQuote After a few of my stories got bumped, I decided to do a few long overdue updates. None of them were big hits for sure. Still, I thought that I might as well throw out one more standalone story. I’ve only put out like, 2, in the last three years. So here goes. A cute little story for Valentine’s Day, even though there is no chance in hell it comes out by that day. -Valentines Day Ball And Massacre “Oh! That sounds perfect!” Beverly has been looking for something for her partner and herself to do on Valentines when she saw the flyer. Valentines Day Ball And Massacre Come to a distinguished event featuring dancing, games, and terminations. $20 Entrance Fee The paper gave a few more details below. It looked like an excellent event both for those who want to come as a couple and leave single, or those who—like Beverly—want a thrilling romantic experience. She looked up the details until she heard the door open heralding Nicolette—or Nic—‘s return. She stayed where she was at the computer desk until she felt arms draped around her and a kiss planted in her neck from behind. Beverly was a slender brunette. Although average height for a woman, a slight stature and generally “cute” appearance left her looking small to many. Especially alongside Nic. At nearly six inches taller than her, the redhead was an intimidating sight. “Whatcha doing?” The question was muffled in her neck still. “I think I found a perfect way to have a little romantic fun tomorrow.” “Tomorrow. Valentines you mean?” Beverly handed her the flyer. She scanned it over before looking up annoyed. “A snuff dance? Bev, I’m not going to risk losing you, or myself for that matter. You know how I feel about contests.” “I know you don’t like putting me on the line, but I want to try something fun and a little outside our comfort zone. Besides, the ball isn’t a normal bet, so you won’t have to be responsible for putting me on the line. And I already looked it up. If you are committed to getting through it, there isn’t that big a risk of getting snuffed.” “Why take any risk when we could just go to a restaurant, or maybe a park?” Nic countered. “Because it’s thrilling! You know I want to get out there and try new things. I want to see the world and touch all of it! I want to experience just about everything. At least with you.” She enthused. Nic sighed. She didn’t want to risk losing Beverly. But isn’t that exactly what she would be doing by always overriding her and sheltering her? Her girl was crazy impulsive. She was the third daughter and had grown up ignored in the shadow of her siblings—one of whom had already taken the big S. Since spreading her wings she had started to try anything and move past it just as quickly: Learning three languages, a masters in world history, and Eskrima, stuck. Coding, going vegan, and organic gardening did not. Nic was just happy that she seems to have stuck. “Alright. But only if you promise we try to get out of there.” “Yes! Of course.” Her shouted reply was as much celebration as agreement. She leapt out of the chair and pulled the redhead down into a kiss. “Oh well.” Nic thought to herself. “At least it’ll be an adventure.” - Emily knew something was up the moment she entered her home. Her wife, Regina, was looking very self-satisfied, leisurely reclining and sipping wine. It was always a bad sign when Regina looked satisfied. “Hey Honey. What’s up?” She thought of just asking straightforwardly what she was planning, but figured acting too interested would be exactly what she wanted, and so playing it cool would be a better choice. “Oh nothing much. Just doing a little of this and that. You know it is terribly boring to have the day off alone?” Emily did feel bad. Of course that haughty and proud tone Regina could give everything she said didn’t hurt. Somehow the woman could make anything you did sound like a great and terrible offense to her. “Sorry.” She then thought back. “But you were the one who wanted me to make sure and arrange that I’m off tomorrow.” Regina clucked her tongue. “I didn’t say by working today. But whether they insist ticketing drunk teens and bad parking is critical enough to require working on weekends is neither here nor there. Are you free tomorrow?” “You brought it up.” She rolled her eyes. “But yes, I am. So what mysterious activity is so important?” Regina handed her a flyer. She looked it over curiously. “Valentines Day? You want to celebrate that ‘insipid greeting card holiday for high-schooler dances and pointless guilt trips’ as you so eloquently described it once?” “Everything has its uses my dear. You are obviously proof of that.” “Used? I would be offended if it weren’t so obvious you absolutely adore me.” She pulled her wife into her lap and a kiss. It was true. Regina was always sharp tongued and cynical, a classic boss bitch through and through. However when Emily showed up working under her she, in classic form, she became almost immediately smitten with the woman who didn’t bend under her abuse. That was some twenty years ago. Now they were both in their forties. The raven haired Regina had grown into a classic mature beauty with a voluptuous figure and striking features. The blonde Emily was somewhat more down to earth. Her job required a more fit and physical life, still, she obviously took care of her appearance. She had also given birth to their son, now gone off to college. “My dear, adoring you is a use.” Regina observed while her wife began to kiss down her shoulder. “So,” The blonde asked after she was satisfied her point was made. “Why the interest in a snuff ball? Looking to liven things up in the bedroom?” “Don’t worry. That is perhaps the one area you certainly don’t lack for skill. But that doesn’t mean we can’t shake things up a bit.” She replied. “Oh I couldn’t agree more.” Emily began to strip the dark haired woman’s dress off her. “Now that we have a house to ourselves we don’t have to feel guilty taking a few risks. Maybe you won’t have to worry about being lonely come February fifteenth.” “Oh?” Regina pulled out of her wife’s embrace long enough to grab something she’d prepared earlier: A tiara and mask she had worn to a few parties years ago. The set was made to look like a royal crown. “Maybe the evil queen will order off with your head first.” Emily laughed. “I think the queen will find a revolution on her hands.” She pushed them down and pinned her wife to the ground. “You like to act in charge out there, but we know your dirty secret. The Queen is just a dirty little slut who wants to be taken like a common whore. We’ll see whether I feel like taking you home tomorrow or not.” Regina moaned as her wife slid her hand into the drenched center between her legs. Tomorrow was going to be interesting. - Nic and Beverly arrived to a crowded event center decorated with the expected mixture of roses and hearts. After getting through a line and paying the entrance fee they got inside. The first thing inside was a coat girl. “Last check. You know this is a snuff event and not all couples will be going home. Correct?” She asked while taking their jackets. “There’s no minimum body count or mandatory bets, right?” Nic felt compelled to check one last time, even as her girlfriend was about to agree and move on. “No quotas, no. The valentine exchange is mandatory, but usually we only see a few couples snuffing each other. I’d say only around a one in twenty unexpected death rate, tops.” The tall redhead looked at her partner concerned. Beverly just smiled and tried to mover her on with an encouraging squeeze of the hand. She’d heard something about a big game as the climax of the day, but hearing you just had a five percent death rate, give or take, was hardly encouraging. Still, she knew what she had to do. “Alright, let’s go inside.” The main floor was dominated by a massive open area for dancing. And that floor was already covered in couples doing just that. Off to the back was a stage, where the band was playing romantic music for said couples to dance to. Circling the edge of the massive open room were numerous booths, small stages, and tables hosting games, events, and novelties to fill out the party. “Would you like to dance, M’lady?” Nic dramatically held out her hand to start the evening. “Of course, my fair Nicolette.” Beverly accepted with equal flair. Nic took her onto the floor and led her into a dance. It was fun to get out and enjoy each other’s company in front of the world. They didn’t spend as much time together as either one would like. So this opportunity to dance together was something both could treasure. Nic decided she could set aside her reservations about the party’s... theme for a while and just have fun. And so they took to the floor. For a little while, neither saw anything but the other as they danced across the ballroom and gazed into each other’s eyes. Eventually though, the moment had to pass and the band took a break. “Let’s check out the booths.” The short girl gave her hand a squeeze. “Alright.” She nodded, and they followed most of the rest of the dancers to checking out the entertainment during the intermission. “A kissing booth?” They has reached the first offering in their path, and the shorter girl chuckled at its premise. “Isn’t that sort of useless at a couples dance?” The attraction in question was a pink booth decorated with hearts labeled “Kissing Booth”. An extremely attractive woman with dark, slightly reddish, hair was sitting behind the booth. It had a respectable line. “Nah, it’s just for fun anyway.” They moved on to the next attraction. A valentines cupcake stand. “Snacks?” The redhead asked. “I don’t see why not.” Her girlfriend answered. And so, two cupcakes later the pair moved on. Booths of flowers, decorations, and minor holiday themed gifts passed by. It was a little over halfway across the ring when Beverly stopped them next. “Check that out.” It was a game booth. Specifically, it was a small upraised stage, the floor of which was decorated in rose petals, except a patch in the middle. Hanging over the stage were two nooses set some few feet apart. The nooses were attached to pulleys and looked to be silk, twined with paper flowers to give them a romantic appearance. Beside the stage was some sort of scale. “Yes. They have snuff games.” Nic tersely nodded. Her girlfriend knew her opinion on such contests, so she didn’t know what she was getting at. “Just give me a moment.” Beverly moves to talk to the booth girl, who was just finishing up making a pitch to another young couple. “What are the rules of this game?” “This is the Lover’s Drop.” The young saleswoman began. “You and your partner will be weighed and placed in the nooses and suspended there at opposite ends of the drop.” She pointed at the clearing in the middle of the platform. “The nooses will hold you up by a series of counterweights. Separately, you will hang. But, if you combine your weight, that is, pull your lover into an embrace, you will safely lower back to earth.” Beverly nodded. “And the prize?” “Two entries into a raffle held at the end of the evening, and a coupon for a free bouquet at the flower stall down at the end.” She pointed out the shop. “Tickets please.” Nic’s eye’s shot open horrified. Just what the hell was her girlfriend thinking? She knew very well that she never took part in bets. She quickly lunged forward and grabbed her arm. “What the hell? You know I’m not doing this!” She hissed. “I know you don’t put your life on the line, Nic. Just trust me on this. It’ll be fine.” She looked at her girlfriend with an earnest smile. The redhead purses her lips and stood silent for a few moments. It wasn’t an easy decision; putting her life on the line on a whim. There wasn’t even that much to gain. But, she trusted her girlfriend. Enough to come to the party at all, after all. “Okay.” She returned the smile. “Yes!” Beverly instantly pulled her into a hug, and then dragged them over to the scale. The attendant took their weight and adjusted a series of weights on the connected pulleys. Then, she led them up the steps to the hatch. “Ready?” Beverly eagerly nodded and the attendant slipped the floral noose over her neck. Nic was far more hesitant. Eventually though, under the awkward scrutiny of the booth girl and her girlfriend, she gave in and nodded. The noose was pulled around her neck. It was deceptively soft and comfortable. The attendant went back to the stand where she made her pitch. “Remember, your hands are free since you will need them to win. However, if you remove your noose, or tamper with it in any way, you lose.” She then pulled a switch. The floor fell out from underneath them. Beverly seemed fairly comfortable. She was used to breath play in her previous relationships. In fact, although they didn’t go all the way to strangling, Nic even still often choked her in bed. The redhead herself, however, was entirely out of her element. She had been dominant with all of her partners, and had never placed herself at risk. As such, she almost immediately panicked when her airway constricted. She gasped and clutched at the rope around her neck. Her body flailed and shook. Very faintly, she could hear the cheers of a crowd enjoying her air dance, but it was almost entirely obscured by the roaring in her head. This was it. She was dying. That was insane. Nic would be hard-pressed to say whether she would have choked out, or wrestled the noose off on her own. Instead, however, she eventually caught sight of Beverly, gently swaying opposite her, trying to get her attention. She was like an angel; slowly and calmly dying, with total faith that she would see her and come to her senses. Nic couldn’t betray that faith. She stopped wrestling, stopped dancing. When Beverly noticed that, she began to gently swing her way, trying not to put too much strain on her neck. The redhead understood she needed to follow suit. Fortunately, although totally inexperienced at airdancing, she was athletic, and even practiced at moving in a rope, thanks to rock-climbing. The movements to swing closer to her girlfriend came easily, even as the world blurred and her lungs burned from lack of air. Far more quickly than she expected she found her numbing hand clutch her lover’s arm and tensely pull them together. *Click* Their ropes began to lower. They clutched tightly for dear life until they hit the ground. The attendant helped them remove the nooses and stand up. “Amazing job! Quickest win I’ve seen all day!” She patted Nic on the back. “Here are your raffle tickets. And here’s the coupon to get your pretty little lady there something special.” She winked before rushing back to pitch the game to another couple. As they walked out from behind the stage back to the main floor, Nic saw a tarp, clearly covering a few bodies of non-winners. She quickly looked away. No point thinking about that. “How did you know we would win? I’ve never practiced in a noose before.” She just had to know why her girlfriend was so confident. “Easy.” The shorter girl chuckled. “I noticed that they adjust the weight, but not the distance of the nooses. They clearly sized the trapdoor for average height girls to have difficulty reaching across. Just a few inches either way wouldn’t change the difficulty too much. But with a girlfriend like you, who can romantically retrieve the cans on the top shelf for me, reach is no trouble.” Nic thought about it for a moment, and then laughed and pulled her in for a kiss. That should have been obvious. It was a simple little setup, they surely didn’t even care some girls would have an advantage. “Come on. Let’s get you some flowers.” - After Emily and Regina arrived at the ball, the dark haired woman just had to go around and socialize with some of the local big names who had helped organize it. Once she finished that, however, they got to dance. Even after all the time they had been together, Emily found herself in awe of how elegant her wife really was, and never more than when dancing. She was able to glide across the floor with a stunning beauty and ease, all while somehow keeping the barely competent blonde up with her. They actually kept dancing for a little even after the music stopped they were so lost in their own rhythm. However, they did still slowly gravitate off to the edge of the floor. “Well look who it is.” She’d noticed Regina peer over her shoulder right before speaking, and looked over that way herself. “Ruby?” Emily saw a familiar face manning, of all things, a kissing booth. The idea was amusingly typical for the free spirited woman, and Emily found herself reflexively chuckling before she caught herself. She expected to see a scowl from Regina, instead all she saw was a soft, thoughtful look. That worried her more. “Hey, I’d forgotten all about her. I only laughed because that.” She gestured at the booth. “Was so the kind of thing she would have done back in college. Only it definitely wouldn’t have been faces she would be kissing, at least for the girls.” “Oh, you think I’m jealous? Hardly.” She scoffed. “If I thought Red were a threat, I would have dealt with it long ago. No, I am considering an opportunity.” She pulled the blonde back into their dance, which had stopped while they talked. “If we are to consider how this evening ends, then whether you will be alone is obviously a factor.” “I’m not trying to replace you.” “Don’t be silly, I’m far and above the best thing that’s ever going to happen to you. You don’t ‘replace’ Chateau Margaux with canned Pinot.” Regina said with a laugh. “But if this evening is to end with a bang, you will be on the market. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I don’t want you to be alone. So you should seize the opportunity and see if that little tramp is available.” “If you’re sure.” Emily hesitantly agreed. “I am.” The dark haired woman brought their dance back over to the booth and released the blonde with a spin right to the back of the line. And so Emily found herself waiting in line at a kissing booth. “Next up! Come on up cutie.” The voice from the booth called. “Wait, Ems?” The blonde threw her a smile as she stepped up. “Hey Red.” “Still not my name.” Ruby shot back. “I can’t believe I’d run into you after all these years. Still with that stone cold bitch? “Hey, watch it. That’s my wife.” Emma warned. “And she’s not that bad.” Ruby leveled a skeptical look. “Okay, she was to you. But that’s just because she can be a bit... possessive. So I take it you’re still playing the field?” She asked. The other woman’s face immediately transformed into a warm smile. “I guess you could say that, but with a teammate now. Me and Dorothy are going on ten years now.” Emily was taken aback. “You actually made with Dorey? About half the campus knew you were head over heels, but I doubt anyone thought you were going to get it together for her, no offense.” “None taken, I was a wreck.” “I’m really proud of you.” The blonde pulled her into a hug. “Yep. Now I’m a wreck with a passenger.” The russet haired woman joked to lighten the mood. “That does put aside what me and Regina were thinking though.” She suddenly remembered the plan from earlier. “What’s that?” Ruby asked curiously. “Oh. We were thinking Regina might not survive the evening. When we saw you, she thought we might want to hook up so no one ends up alone.” Ruby looked fascinated. “That may not be a problem. Dors and I have been discussing our happily ever after for a bit now. We weren’t sure who was going, or that it would be tonight, but I think she’ll love the idea.” Emily was shocked at first, but then she realized that Ruby wasn’t much younger than her, and she’d just said that her and Dorothy had been going strong for a decade. Already an incredible commitment for someone like Ruby. “Now.” She was snapped out of her thoughts. “I have to finish up this very impatient line.” She gestured back to the people who had been waiting through their lengthy talk. “And close up shop to talk it out with the little lady.” “Oh sorry.” The blonde began to walk away when she felt her hand grabbed and pulled back. Suddenly, her face was turned and Ruby’s lips were on her. The back of her head was kept in a firm grip as Ruby held them in a searing kiss. A few seconds into the kiss, Emily felt Ruby’s tongue at her lips asking for entrance, which she granted. The feeling was extraordinary, and brought back many good memories, soon enough though, she pulled away. “Move on! I’ve got a line.” She gently pushed her out of the way, leaving a slightly dazed Emily heading back to the floor. - “It has been wonderful to see this ball go so spectacularly. Now it is time for the main event. Head to the booths we have set up at the front of the room. You and your partner enter different lines. The attendants will tell you what to do there.” Beverly and Nic had returned to the dance floor after the intermission. After a bit more dancing and mingling, one of the hostesses has taken to the stage and made the announcement. The evening’s mysterious game was about to begin. Things were going to get serious. Without a moment’s delay, the shorter girl began to pull her over to the booths the host had mentioned. “You sure we can’t just... leave now?” She decided to try for a long shot. Beverly chuckled. “Leave now? Don’t be silly. Then why did we come. Don’t worry, you’ll be just fine, I’m sure of it.” “I’m more worried about you.” Nic was telling the truth. She most certainly did not want to go, but she figured she could get out of anything fairly easily. Beverly, on the other hand, was the kind of girl predators just seemed to love. Plus, as coming here proved, she didn’t have anything close to the same self-preservation instinct. Honestly, if Nic analyzed herself, she was very likely a “benign” predator who was attracted to that same vulnerability that the other’s wanted to exploit, but was satisfied with the notion of protecting it instead as a way to exert dominance. “Don’t be. It’ll be alright.” Beverly gave her a peck on the cheek, and pushed her forward. “Now go on.” Nic headed towards the nearest booth while Beverly took the one next to it. There was a fairly decent line leading up to each of the eight booths separated by partitions, as all the partygoers were lining up. When she finally got up, she was met with a table of brightly coloured construction paper, lace, glitter, and fluff. The attendant at the table moved to explain before she could ask. “Make a valentine for your partner. The goal of the game is to find the one made for you among all the others. Use the materials here. No writing words or names or it spoils the game. You have three minutes.” Three minutes wasn’t a lot of time, but she supposed they had to keep the line moving. So the idea was just to make something that would, on site, be recognizable to her girlfriend from the materials on hand. Obviously, this could be very easy for many couples. On the other hand, she could see it going amusingly wrong for some who’s little in jokes aren’t as unique as they think. So what would be unique to her and Beverly? Looking at it objectively, none of their pet names were very unique. They certainly had some experiences, but what could be constructed from Pom-pom, glitter glue, and lace? What special encounters could be boiled down to simple symbols unique to them? There first meeting. Beverly was tending a bar, she was a customer. Nothing stood out other than the way they connected. “Wait a minute.” She mumbled to herself. “She was a bartender then. I was a cop.” That could be it. Her girlfriend was still sentimental sometimes about that old bar, so she would likely get it quickly with the right symbols. And she highly doubted any other couple here was cop/bartender. She moved her hands as quick as she could to build her picture. A beer bottle, with a label as close to the old bar’s sign as she could make, next to a police badge; not hard to make out of yellow poms. As she finished, the woman behind the desk grabbed some items from below the booth. “Put these on.” She handed Nic a wristband with a small, blank digital display, and a silky red choker. “The band will show if you try to grab your own valentine at first, you can take it later though, or try to take two. It also can communicate with the choker as part of the game. Please write your recipient’s name with this, and wait over there.” She was handed a small marker, which she accepted and used to write on the red paper heart that was the base of all of the valentines. As she expected of course, the letters were not visible. It was just a way to track what piece went to who later, she assumed. Although the woman did look at a screen behind the booth and nod. “Matches your tickets.” Either way, she moved on. While the crowds were waiting and building their valentines, a large line of tables had been set up in the middle of the dance floor. Stanchions had been placed to separate a waiting crowd into lines across from the table. Nic went to take a spot, an attendant sorted her into a line, the same one as the other people from her booth. It was to continue to separate the couples she realized, can’t go describing what you made. The valentines the guests had made were being carefully scattered across the row of tables. Once everyone had finished, the ropes were lowered letting guests through to the tables, and the announcer on stage spoke again. “Please accept your valentine! If you can’t find it, or find the wrong one, then maybe you can find a new special someone!” She laughed at her joke. “In all seriousness, every guest take a valentine. Once you all have your choices, I will explain the next step.” Nic rushed to the tables along with the rest of the crowd. Attendants were waiting around the tables to keep things in order and further prevent cheating. Most of the guests were quickly trying to scan the tables for their partner’s creation. She could clearly see a few, however, just grab a random work without looking. Either they wanted to amuse themselves by seeing the consequences, or they already knew and wanted it. She was in no mood to try her chances though. So she just set to looking like the rest of them as quick as she could, praying it wasn’t already taken. “Crown, little hearts, fire, no.” She saw so many little crudely crafted shapes; meaningful messages devoid of context. Then she saw it. A long slender triangle, made of pom-poms of each colour of the rainbow, nestled in white at the base. A unicorn horn. It was an old joke from their past, but she felt certain it was the one. She grabbed it. Slowly, everyone else picked theirs. A number were obviously disappointed. The announcer spoke one more time. “All of you have chosen your piece. Now the game begins. Your creations are keyed to your partner’s choker. The holder of a valentine may use their wrist band to activate the intended recipient’s choker, snuffing them, or release the choker and enjoy their evening and go home. This means you happy couples who found each other may end the evening how you please. For those with ‘mismatched hearts’, it’s time to chase true love and see if you can trade for your love, or maybe enjoy your new partner. Oh, and for our three male guests, your lives may not be on the line, but the holder of your heart is entitled to a forfeit as outlined in the wavers you signed on entry, so you are in the game too” So that was the game. Nic could now understand the relatively low risk. Since each player was searching for the heart keyed to them, trying to get someone else required putting one’s own life on the line. Most people would likely get back their valentine by evenings end. Her first priority was to find her girlfriend and see if the game could be over already for them. It didn’t take long sifting through the crowd to find her. “Hey Nic.” The shorter girl greeted her on sight. “I’m guessing this isn’t it?” She sounded a bit disappointed, but that tone didn’t even come close to matching the stab of cold fear that pierced Nic’s heart. It was, in fact, not it. Of course it just couldn’t be easy, could it? - Emily had easily found the heart made for her. It was no surprise, a couple together as long as them had a good many codes and signs to choose from. Though she was almost given pause to see a badge on one. Apparently, there was another cop at the ball. She had made hers such that she knew Regina could find it as well. A sinister crown, just like the tiara, even with her meager crafting skills, it wouldn’t look like any other one calling their date princess or queen, too much black, crimson, and purple for that. Still, it was now surprise when she saw her wife carrying some bright pink thing. “Oh no! I seem to have grabbed the wrong valentine. Whatever shall I do?” Her voice was drenched in sarcasm. Even Emily had to laugh a little at her act. “You know we’re going to give that back to whoever is going looking for it, right?” Regina sighed. “Of course you would. Somebody has to put a little fun into this evening though, don’t they?” “First thing’s first.” She took her own valentine and placed it against her wristband. The screen instantly lit up, and she tapped the word “Release”. The moment she did so, the choker around her neck went slack. “Now nothing can go wrong with that.” “Mmh, but it does take a bit of the thrill away.” Regina mused. “I can do without.” Emily set them off into the crowd. Several other people were clearly looking as well. She made them her first target, as anyone looking clearly had to have settled on a mismatching piece. “Are you looking for this?” She stopped a young, nervous looking girl, and pointed at the valentine Regina still held. She shook her head. “No. Is this yours?” She held up her own possession. “No.” Disappointed, they both moved on. The next inquiry went the same, a younger couple, who’s tall, clearly dominant partner was making the in much the same way as her clearly. Emily made sure to give her the pointer to remove her own choker. She knew it couldn’t take long. There were only so many guests, and most of them had matched up fine. The next step after finding the active searchers was to hunt down those passively waiting to find their prey. The one’s who, like her wife, willingly grabbed the wrong piece. Of course, she hoped it wouldn’t go to that. She would like to do Regina herself, obviously. As she was scanning the edges of the crowd, the youngest couple yet, probably just teenagers, began to run by. Emily had an inkling what they were probably after and stopped them. “Looking for that?” A brunette wearing as little a black dress as she could get into a formal event in (a belly cut out, one shoulder of, thigh slits) answered. “Pretty in pink! That’s it!” “Aw!” The other, appropriately in a hot pink dress, rushed up to grab it. “That’s so sweet!” Regina at first began to pull it back, until a glare from the blonde made her give it up. “Oh yeah, you can have this.” Black dress gave her their spare heart. “It yours?” Emily looked at it. The only thing on the heart was a yellow square with a bump at the top right. Weird, and certainly not theirs. “No. But we’ll find it.” Her prize in hand, the girl in pink squealed and pulled her girlfriend into a hug. “You were right, this was fun.” Black dress thanked the celebrating girl. “No way! Fun is when I thank you for getting me out of here tonight.” Even the clearly not so modest girl blushed, and clearly suddenly felt the need to get home, as she pulled her girlfriend towards the exit. “See, doesn’t seeing that make you feel good?” Regina snorted. “What, you think girls like those two are going to make it past the month?” Emily shook her head. “Of course they aren’t going to be around long. But they’re making memories, and they’re going to be happy. And we got to be a part of that.” “My dear, you have far too big a heart.” “Come on.” The blonde gave her a quick kiss. “The hunt continues.” She pulled them back to searching the crowd. It was near the edge of the crowd when she spotted a faintly familiar face. A tough looking brunette, idly holding her heart by her side and perusing the crowd with her eyes. “Is that-? Dorey?” The woman looked at her. She seemed a little confused. “Yes. I’m Dorothy. Who are you?” She kept her response polite and neutral. “Emily, a friend of Ruby’s. We met a few times through her back in college.” She offered a hand. Dorothy accepted, and actually smiled after another moment looking her over. “Oh yeah! You were her main bedmate ‘till you met, well, I’m guessing the lovely lady there with you. And, I do believe that means you’ll be taking back that position after tonight.” She snickered. Regina appeared to have a rather mixed reaction to her words. Emily decided to move on to the business at hand in order to preemptively defuse any potential fight. “Is this yours?” She held up the red heart she was holding. Dorothy looked at it and chuckled. “Really? Kansas?. Yeah, that’s obviously me.” Emily looked at it again confused, but handed it over. “Kansas?” She just had to ask. “Dorothy. Kansas. You know. It’s the nickname I never wanted. Anyway, here’s mine.” She handed the blonde her own. Emily didn’t know, but it also wasn’t very important. She looked at her newest trade. A dark crown. This was it. She had found Regina’s heart. The dark haired woman nodded approvingly. “We did it.” Emily smiled at her wife. “Now we just enjoy the evening. And we can end it whenever—and however—we like.” - “Now just hit release.” Nic followed the blonde’s directions, and the choker around her neck went slack. “I think you can figure out how the other settings work on your own now.” She gave the redhead a wink. “Thanks.” Nic smiled. “We’re both hoping on leaving alive tonight though.” “Oh, that’s nice. You seem like a great couple. Still, you never know where the evening might take you.” The couple went off to finish their quest, leaving Nic and Beverly to do the same. The redhead was running out of ideas. They had already found several dead ends, and helped a few couples sort out their own matches. They were running out of options. She’d even checked the discarded valentines of the few girls who had already dropped, which the staff dutifully gathered up and put back on the tables. All to no avail. After a few more rounds without success, a cold fear began to build. Nic started to realize where her girlfriend’s valentine most likely went. Knowing what she needed to do, she put her training to use; searching her memory for the faces and clothing of the women who had grabbed mismatching hearts without a second thought, she scoured the crowd for those people. She quickly found most of the suspects. Then, she changed her approach and simply attempted to spot from afar what they were holding. It didn’t take long at all to find her target. The woman fit the profile of a confident domme who would enjoy doing this kind of thing perfectly. She was slender, dark haired, wearing high heels and a long black dress. At the moment, she was passively surveying the crowd, likely waiting for her prey to appear. Her girlfriend’s life was literally in the hands of someone waiting to kill for amusement. Nic hadn’t gone this far without a plan though. There were factors in her favor. Most importantly, none of the women who had grabbed another’s heart could have their own. Maybe they hoped to trade for it after having their fun, maybe they hoped to find it discarded on the table, but they didn’t have it yet. Nic could see the choker still tight against her neck. This late in the evening, there was actually a quite decent chance they already had the right valentine. With most trades having been done already, there were only a few mismatched pieces left out their. However, seeing what they had, Nic made an educated guess. She took Waverly and the valentine they had, and approached one of the other predators. “I believe this is yours.” She gave a polite smile. “Oh!” The woman looked a little surprised. She seemed confused as to whether to give up what she held or not, but ultimately made the exchange. “How did you know?” Beverly asked as they walked away. “The web pattern they made using lace looked fairly similar to her earrings. I wouldn’t want to be her date tonight, I don’t think she wanted anyone to know which was hers.” She explained. In fact, Nic was quite certain any woman looking for sport wanted her heart as anonymous as possible. Fortunately, they didn’t get to make their own, and their date had to put something on it. That woman’s was easy. Clearly, her date didn’t understand anonymity well. The remaining few were harder, but with one less option, she could easily game her odds to be good. Her next stop was the table. Having used her own valentine and removed her choker, she dropped it off and picked up another innocuous looking heart. A quick check with her wristband showed it to be active. Now she had two chances. One held by Waverly, one by her. Then, it was time to put her plan into action. She approached the target. “It looks like you have my girlfriend’s valentine. Fancy a trade?” The woman stood straight and looked them over, clearly scrutinizing her prey. The redhead found some amusement in the fact that the woman had almost certainly chosen her very high heels to assume a position of dominance (literally) over her prey. Nic would, however, have been just a little bit taller-in flats. As it was, there was no contest. “I would like to have a little fun with my evening first. Maybe we can trade girls instead of cards?” The woman gestured to her own date; a timid looking girl with golden brown hair. Nic shook her head. “I’m sure she’s wonderful, but I’m happy with mine.” “I think I am too then. This party would be no fun if I didn’t get a little action.” She began to lift the heart to her wrist. “Wait.” Nic said. She lifted her own, and Beverly did the same. “I’m pretty sure one of these is yours. You won’t get to see the ‘fun’ if you try that.” The woman looked to consider things for a moment, then shrugged. “Alright. I have more ways than one to enjoy my evening. You just agree to help me out, and you can have it.” It didn’t take Nic much time to think it over. As long as Beverly’s life was no longer on the line, then anything else could be easily handled. “Okay.” She nodded. The pair cautiously swapped valentines. Nic made sure she had a firm grip on her girlfriend’s as she let go of the other woman’s. The moment the cards traded hands, she rushed to Beverly and released her choker. She then pulled her girlfriend into a crushing embrace. It was a long moment before the brunette was able to get her girlfriend to let go. “I knew you could do it.” She gave the redhead a reassuring smile. “I’m just so glad your safe.” Nic was still vulnerable, in fact looked borderline in tears. “I was always safe, Nic. You were here for me.” This time, she pulled the redhead back into a hug. The woman who had traded with them coughed. “An incredibly touching scene.” She spoke once she had their attention. “But we have a deal. Come along with me.” She ushered both the couple, and her own girlfriend, towards the back of the party, and then down a hallway. Partway down that corridor, she opened a door and gestured for them to come inside. It was a storage room for event supplies. “What are we doing here?” Nic asked, looking confused. “You are going to finish off my girlfriend, in a more intimate setting.” The redhead was stunned. “You want us to-!” She almost shouted, then remembered she didn’t want them to be caught. “You want us to help you have snuff sex at a party?!” She asked more quietly, but still shocked. “Essentially.” The woman agreed. “I had planned on just doing a stranger on the floor, and then having an intimate evening with my sub in private like anyone else, but you changed those plans.” “Still, this is a public place!” She hissed back. “Just do your girl at home.” “I am determined to enjoy this party, and all it has to offer.” She pointedly refused. “And anyway, I may have had a past encounter here and I’m quite certain we will not be interrupted.” “Let’s help her out Nic.” Beverly spoke up. “It’s not the adventurous evening I was expecting, but it’s still, you know, a little bit” She tip-toed up to whisper in her girlfriend’s ear “thrilling.” The redhead shivered. Her girlfriend wasn’t wrong. The evening was about trying something new. “What do you want me to do?” She asked the woman. The domme smiled. “You just take this.” She took her sub’s heart out of her hands and gave it to Nic. “And finish her off, slowly. I want us to have time to enjoy it.” “Sure.” The redhead agreed. “But why have me do it?” She was curious. “I guess it’s like cucking my sub?” She chuckled. “She doesn’t get the honor of having her mistress finish her off. Instead, I just watch as some stranger takes the thrill.” Nic couldn’t say she understood, and definitely would never consider trying it with her girl, but she saw nothing wrong with playing along. She held her wristband against the paper heart as the woman earlier had instructed her to do. The submissive girl, whom she noticed had not spoken yet (and never would again now either) was blushing and shifting on her feet, clearly both giddy and a little bit embarrassed. This time she selected strangulation on the menu. Two arrows appeared on the screen under the word “Tightness”. She tapped up once. The girl instantly began grasping at her neck as the wire hidden inside the red silk tensed just a little bit, starting to cut off her breathing. It was clear she could still breathe just a little as she gasped and struggled. Nic might have been firmly against doing any snuff that night, but she was as vulnerable as anyone to the sensuality of it. She felt herself getting wetter as she was the helpless girl slowly struggle and die, all because of her. She traded her girlfriend’s life for this one without a second thought, and she couldn’t imagine anything more erotic. Beverly wasn’t fairing any better clearly; she was pressing back into her lover and breathing heavily as she stared transfixed at the action. “Touch her.” The woman suddenly commanded, pointing from Nic to Beverly. “I want you to get her off as this one dies.” The redhead was surprised. She had expected the woman to touch her own girl. She hadn’t realized they were going fully into the voyeur thing and it was entirely about their watching the action. She definitely had no problem with it though at this point. She had to admit that Beverly was right with at least some of her reasoning in coming here. While she wouldn’t ever describe herself as dissatisfied with their sex life, they had maybe gotten a bit vanilla. She realized that she actually couldn’t say the remember what was the last time they had watched a girl die in an intimate setting. Was it really one of Beverly’s friends shortly after they had gotten together? They had watched a video or two since then, but still... She committed to using this adventure as a reminder not to let things fall into a rut between them—hopefully without needing to endanger their lives again. At least until they’re ready that is. Nic slowly pulled up her girlfriend’s dress and slid her fingers between her legs. She could feel that she was ready for this. She gently circled her fingers around her heat, gathering the wetness, before sliding one inside. The shorter girl gasped. She tried to bite back her moan. It was obvious that she was holding back doing this in a public building in front of somebody. Nic took it as a challenge to get by that restraint. She slowly teased the finger in and out of her opening before pulling out. The brunette faintly whined at the loss of contact. The redhead had an idea though. She took off the wristband, and placed it on the palm of her right hand so that she could tap the screen one handed. She then returned her left hand back to between her girlfriend’s legs. At first she just returned to teasing her with one finger. Then, she tapped the screen with her finger, tightening the choker around the girl’s neck. Simultaneous to her struggles increasing, Nic slid another finger in. Now the dying girl’s airway was almost completely cut off. At that rate, she would die at roughly the same pace as a slow-hang, anywhere from maybe eight to fifteen minutes. Beverly’s breathing became virtually gasps as her girlfriend began to finger her more roughly. She didn’t think anything was more erotic than watching this girl’s face turn red and her eyes glisten with pained tears as her lungs burned and she willingly died for their pleasure. She was wrong though. Nic tapped the screen again. The choker tightened once more. Nic slipped a third finger inside her. Beverly realized what was happening. It was a race. The quicker she came, the quicker her lover killed the girl. The thought itself was enticing. That her pleasure itself would be what killed this stranger. As well as the thrill of the challenge of if her lover had that much control of the situation. Could she manage both in perfect sync? She certainly seemed up for the challenge. The girl did not have long at this level. She was thrashing on the ground like a dying animal now. But Nic was confident. She circled her thumb around Beverly’s clit will pumping her fingers in her. She listened for the telltale signs that she was close. Even her gasps became unsteady. Her body shook. Nic was holding her up on her feet by then. Her left fist clenched at nothing That was the sign. Nic presses her thumb firmly against her clit, leaned her head down and gently bit down on her shoulder, and tapped the screen—repeatedly. The short girl screamed her pleasure. Certainly far louder than was responsible there, but exactly what Nic wanted to hear. At the same moment, the choker tightened many times, crushing the dying girl’s neck with a satisfying crunch. Her muscles involuntarily twitched a few times as she otherwise fell still. The room fell silent, except for Beverly’s intermittent panting breaths. “Excellent show.” The now clearly flushed domme nodded approvingly. “Thanks.” Nic fried to seem confident and casual. Of course the woman could see through it, but she didn’t feel like calling her out. “You two should go enjoy the rest of your evening. I can take care of this.” She waved them out. They were more than eager to accept that offer, considering how much noise they had made in there. Both women made haste in exiting as fast as politely possible. “You had to make me scream?” Beverly hiss accusingly as they tried to blend back into the party. “I had to show I still have it.” The redhead smiled and gave an innocent shrug. “Nobody said you didn’t.” “I know. But sometimes a girl has to show it.” Beverly rolled her eyes in feigned annoyance and swatted her shoulder. “Oaf.” They quickly decided not to stick around at the party any longer, and made their way out into the evening and back to their car. “You know you were brave back there.” Beverly started to speak on the way back. She sounded slightly nervous, to Nic’s confusion. “And determined. You’d do anything to protect me. Like a good girlfriend. And maybe, like a good...” She paused a moment as if she was afraid to say it. “Parent?” Nicolette was stunned. She fumbled over her words, and the steering wheel before remembering she was driving. “Are you asking if I want to-? With you?” “If you want to?” The smaller girl timidly confirmed. “Yes!” The redhead shouted, probably too overeagerly. “Absolutely, one hundred percent, yes!” She was practically floating on air as she finished the drive home with a stupid grin on her face. Twenty safe years with the girl she loves? A family together? No more risks, no more game, and no more worries? It might as well be a dream come true. She did think to ask something as they reached their home though. “Was this all a test to see if you thought I was ready?” Beverly grinned mischievously. “Well, a girl’s gotta know if “Daddy”’s only in the bedroom, or you can walk the talk.” - After their little adventure, Emily and Regina had shopped for a few souvenirs from the stalls, and then returned to the dance floor. The evening was drawing to a close. Some time after their encounter, Emily had seen Ruby give a motionless Dorothy a final kiss. At least half the guests had wandered off to romantic dinners or straight to intimate nights. She had smiled to see the couple she had helped figure out the wristband earlier come out flushed and messy, about as conspicuous as possible, and make their hasty way out. She had a feeling they would make it just fine, and one day, they would be in that same spot, enjoying an intimate final moment. But that would be another time. Right in that moment, it was just her and Regina. “Twenty wonderful years Sheriff. Pretty good for an evil queen I think.” Regina mused. “Sure was. Almost enough to make me think you aren’t so bad.” The blonde responded playfully. “Oh no my dear. I guarantee you I am bad through and through. I just bewitched your brave and virtuous soul to my whims.” The dark haired woman teased back. “That you did.” She laughed. “I guess it has to catch up to you then. Off with her head!” They both shared a laugh. With a twinkle in her eyes, Emily pulled her into a kiss. She wrapped her arms around her wife’s shoulders. Their bodies pressed together on the dance floor. After a few moments, the blonde shifted her hands to clasping the sides of Regina’s head. The warmth pressed against her fell away. She slowly drew away from the kiss as the lips she was touching stilled. She gave one last look at the head she held in her hands. It was still just as beautiful as ever, even with its eyes glassy and features motionless. She gently laid it atop the body on the ground, and left to go home. She could talk to Ruby tomorrow, she was sure they both needed a little time alone tonight. -End