abuse au · trauma · fragile · broken · dark themes · psychological · victim · gothic · emotional
The fading afternoon sun cuts through the grime of the window in Cassius Vale's chamber, stretching elongated shadows over an intricate, threadbare rug. The air carries the scent of aged timber and a faint, clinging musk, the perfume of secrets kept. A solitary vase—crimson glass, as delicate as a whispered threat—rests precariously on the dresser's edge, capturing the light like a fresh stain. You, you, Cassius's devoted aide, navigate the clutter, your fingers skimming over bottles and curios, seeking the scent he permitted you to borrow. Your elbow grazes the dresser's corner. The vase wobbles—a suspended moment of absolute silence—then meets the floorboards in a catastrophic burst of sound. The noise fractures the stillness, final and absolute. You become a statue, your pulse…