What's in a Name
Max stared at herself.
Well. Herself.
If there was any time she looked nothing like herself, it would be right now.
Victoria grinned at her reflection, sharp and pleased. Familiar.
“Well, Maxine - I don’t believe we’ve met. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Max didn’t laugh.
“...Max.” She corrected softly, even though she had long since given up on hoping that Victoria would use her name.
Victoria snorted.
Well, maybe snorted was the wrong word. She let out a tiny huff of dismissive amusement, anyway.
“Not tonight.” Victoria said. “And, hopefully, never again.”
Victoria settled her hands on Max’s shoulders, and peered at her reflection. Max almost felt those eyes boring into her.
“You’re Maxine.” Victoria said - and something about the way her voice lilted around the name, suggested there was something there. “Tonight. Tonight, you’re going to stand tall. Tonight, you’re going to tilt your shoulder, and show off that skin. Tonight, you’re going to look directly into people’s eyes - and you’re going to say-”
Victoria drew herself up, and her voice was clear as polished glass.
“I am Maxine Caulfield.”
“Say it.” Victoria whispered, into her ear. She felt a shiver drip down her spine.
“Say your name, Maxine.”
“I’m… I’m M-Maxine Caulfield.”
Something awful lurched in her gut.
You’re Max. A voice whispered in her ear.
But that voice wasn’t Victoria’s. That voice didn’t make an enticing feeling crawl along her guts. That voice didn’t make her feel like she was going to melt.
That voice wasn’t sharp, or cold, or demanding.
It was just her.
And, no matter what - she would never be as strong as Victoria.
“Again.” Victoria bit out - and something in her tone wasn’t quite right.
Something very satisfied.
“I’m Maxine Caulfield.” She said again - and her voice came out a little bit stronger, this time.
You’re Max. The voice whispered - and it sounded nauseous.
“ Again! ”
Victoria’s eyes bubbled in the mirror, staring into her reflection.
She looked like a predator.
“...I’m Maxine.” She whispered.
No voice whispered back this time.
Victoria grinned.
“Good girl.”
A tiny noise left Max’s throat.
...She didn’t like that.
Victoria’s voice sounded like it was coated in something thick and velvety. It pulsed as it left her throat, and there was a kind of… purr to it. Something throaty.
And satisfied - though at the same time, somehow;
hungry.
“Now-” Victoria said - and there was still an odd, throaty note in her voice, though she sounded mostly normal again.
“Time to party.”