Yerin was on a large black horse. Its tyrannical hoofs were eating the ground like space wasn't a thing. Below, was a vast plain, above the azure sky spread infinitely. The sky met the plain on a horizon that seemed impossible to reach.
She felt incomparably free like nothing could stop her. The world was her oyster. Brusquely, without any signs or forewarnings, the heavens above darkened. The world was plunged into a darkness akin to tar.
Somehow, Yerin could still see. Her gaze was drawn toward the figure she knew was responsible for this. A man, no, for this being couldn't be human despite its treacherously familiar features.
Tall with long and dark hair which fell to his ankles akin to a dark mantle. Torso bared for the world to see, showcasing exquisitely built muscles and tribal markings of unknown origins. A metallic gold band where his biceps met his shoulders. Bellow, the being wore an unknown creature's pelt. Unknown because no ordinary beast could have produced a pelt of this color.
"*****El Rahé Dolo'hn Subi-" Yerin woke up shivering. As soon as the being spoke she felt her mind fracture along with each ounce of rationality. What was particularly puzzling was the lack of fear she had in the dream. That being radiated a terrifying malevolence but she didn't seem afraid of it, only disappointed and...
*I was sad...Why? -- Yerin couldn't understand.
*Why is it always the same dream? Wait there was a change. This time I managed to hear what it said.
"But what language is that?" She was startled by her voice and remembered where she was and what she was doing a few hours earlier.
"Lutter..?" She called after seeing that he was missing from the bed. Hearing no response. She looked at her bed table and saw that the digital alarm clock displayed 11 AM. She had slept in. And he most likely left already.
She slid from the bed and her feet touched the glass-like floor giving the feeling that she was suspended higher up. Yerin liked this effect. Somehow it gave her an incomparable feeling of freedom.
"Sleeping princess, you should wake up now. It's almost noon." A masculine voice came from downstairs. Surprised, Yerin stood up and stretched before remembering her half-naked state. Shrugging the embarrassment away, she wore a black robe with rustic gold motifs hanging up near the bed.
"Coming..."
She left the bedroom and went down. Yerin passed by the living room and approached the large kitchen. In it, she could see Lutter in jeans only, cooking expertly. He fried and diced, his movement like rolling clouds and running water. Incredibly smooth.
Yerin rubbed her eyes, not sure if she was truly witnessing this.
"I am not a specialist but my friend whom you met yesterday told me what to expect from a one-night stand. Preparing a brunch for one's partner was certainly not mentioned."
"She would be right if it was another man, but I pride myself in possessing basic manners. Leaving like a thief when my partner is asleep? Unthinkable. Having a brunch like civilized individuals is a must." Lutter replied casually.
"So you do this for everyone?"
"Of course."
*He doesn't seem to be lying. This man, Lutter, is truly unusual.
Yerin shrugged and sat down at the large marble counter table watching him work. He was like those chefs she saw on TV. His skills gave her the impression that he cooked for a living.
"Are you a chef?"
"What? No, of course not. I am a VP at the TKO Entertainment." He answered amused by the assumption.
"You are in show business?" Yerin would have never guessed.
"Most of the people like us are. After all, it is a field where looks and charm can be extremely rewarding. Something, We, as 'afflicted' have in abundance."
Yerin hummed and filed the intel away.
After tens of minutes or so, Lutter completed the brunch. He even made cocktails with fruits he brought from who knows where. After arranging the food on the dining table, he made an invitation gesture.
"Come, settle down. Don't forget to tell me what you think."
"Don't mind if I do. Let's see..." Yerin sat opposite him and grasped a fork and a knife. She breathed in, everything smelled heavenly.
At the first bite, Yerin wondered how something could taste this good. She was in a daze the whole meal, she completely ignore Lutter while she was eating. It was more accurate to say that only the food existed in her eyes.
Lutter couldn't help but chuckle in amusement. "The food is going nowhere, you can take your time you know?"
Of course, his words were lost on Yerin. Though, he couldn't blame her. His skills were a reason for the unreasonably great taste of the food but her new state of being was another factor. She had fed the curse yesterday with his 'help'.
Currently, the curse was satiated thus growing stronger and integrating further into her very being. Which meant that every single aspect of her was improving. Her senses for example. She didn't know yet but if she just strained slightly, Lutter would bet that she could hear her friend talking to the liquor supplier in the bar. Naturally, her taste hadn't been spared.
He became so good at cooking because of the enhancement of that particular sense. Before he could bear an average meal, now it was impossible. Lutter could only upgrade his cooking skills if he ever hoped to enjoy a meal. Unless he resolved himself to only eating at a 5-star restaurant.
"You...You are really good." Yerin gave thumbs-up while swallowing everything within her reach.
Lutter smiled and tipped an imaginary hat. An hour went by as they shared the scrumptious meal. Finally, Lutter stood up and pointed to the wall.
"I need to go. Unfortunately, I have tons of things to deal with since I was distracted last night..." He said playfully. After which, Lutter left her sight for less than ten seconds. He came back dressed impeccably. As if he didn't spend the night out.
"So fast..." Yerin commented.
"You will likely see a neat improvement in all your physical aspects in the following days. Be careful and try to be discreet. Here's my card. Call me if anything comes up or... for you know what." He slid a beautiful dark green card on the table.
"I am leaving. Thanks for the lovely night." He grasped her neck and kissed her cheeks. Yerin could only nod as he left the loft.
"So practiced..."
*Who knows how many girls he cheated off their feeling -- Yerin thought maliciously.
She shrugged and went to take a bath. Astonishingly, after the royal brunch of this morning, she didn't feel bloated. Instead, she was at ease and full of energy. It felt just right. Her new state hid a lot of positive surprises it seemed.
After a nice bath, she wore fitting jeans, a hoody, and her trusted sneakers. Yerin also bound her hair backward with a hair ornament shaped like a butterfly. Then she picked up her smartphone and launched a call.
Du...Du....Du...
It was ringing but no one was answering. "You're gonna play it like that?" Yerin hung up and a frown appeared between her brows.
"Very well, I just need to go meet you in person." She decided.
***
In the top office of a 3-story tall building. A young man looked at his phone as if the device grew fang and sought to bite him. He had a slim build and was decently handsome. Fear was currently the most predominant expression on his face.
When the device stopped ringing, the young man let out a breath. He was relieved. Still, a courant of uneasiness stayed with him. Mixed within there was also incredulity.
"She...? how come she is alive!?" He asked nobody in particular.