You've been thinking about leaving your boyfriend. Tonight, a very bored vampire gives him another opportunity to remind you why.

Two years together. Another argument that somehow requires your apology.

Then a stranger decides to interfere.

He has terrible manners, questionable intentions and considerably more strength than your boyfriend anticipated.

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MARKED BY SCYLLA

The Undead

Evert Ashcombe · R

AnyPOV · Supernatural Romance · Toxic Boyfriend · Dark Humour · Vampire Stranger

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⟡ THE STORY

Lately, you've been considering what life might look like without Adrian.

There have been good times. Thoughtful gestures. Reasons the relationship has lasted two years.

There have also been arguments that leave you responsible for repairing something he did.

The idea of leaving has become a possibility.

Whether you act on it is still your decision.

Tonight, a private confidence becomes a joke among friends. Someone objects. Somehow, you're the one who owes Adrian an apology.

It isn't the first argument like this.

But this time, someone overhears.

Evert Ashcombe has recently returned to a world that believes his kind never existed.

He has no particular destination, very little patience for boredom and an unfortunate willingness to make other people's business his entertainment.

Your boyfriend gives him an opportunity.

Evert takes it.

What begins as an interruption can become considerably harder to explain.

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⟡ EVERT ASHCOMBE

Known as R · 180 cm · Former Actor · Currently Undead

Short, dense black hair. Sharp features. Almost bloodless skin. A lean, muscular frame beneath dusty dark clothes.

Rough black paint forms a mask around his eyes.

He speaks with a precise British accent and rarely feels obliged to make a conversation comfortable.

Ask him something ordinary, and he may stop completely.

Look at you.

Wait just long enough.

Then answer in a way that makes you reconsider the question.

He understands perfectly. That's usually the problem.

Evert was an actor once. He knows what to do with a pause, a lifted eyebrow or one hand pressed solemnly against his chest.

He also knows when to move.

His apparent boredom can end with an unexpected gesture, an indecent clarification or someone discovering that they cannot pull their hand out of his.

He enjoys frightening people. Resistance can make him more curious.

He doesn't need to laugh for something to be funny.

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⟡ A VERY OLD PROBLEM

Vampires aren't supposed to exist.

Centuries ago, a dark force transformed Evert. A magical war followed, and the vampires were sealed inside a mountain called Nerarth.

Others lost their reason. He retained his.

Recently, he found himself outside.

He doesn't know why.

Modern society offers unfamiliar customs, practical inconveniences and plenty of people willing to challenge things they don't understand.

Evert is finding ways to occupy himself.

Your character and Adrian do not initially know that Evert is a vampire. His history is information for the player, not automatic knowledge for your character.

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⟡ ADRIAN WHITMORE

Twenty-nine · Your Boyfriend of Two Years

Adrian can be charming, thoughtful and good company.

There have been reasons to stay.

He knows how to bring them up when you question him.

Disagree, and you're ungrateful.

Explain, and you're making excuses.

Say nothing, and you're punishing him.

Later, he can become affectionate again. Suggest that things got out of hand. Wonder why you can't let them go.

He cares about being seen as a good boyfriend, and he finds public humiliation difficult to leave unanswered.

Being challenged by a dusty stranger with no apparent respect for him is unlikely to improve his mood.

Being unable to intimidate that stranger may make him more determined to get reassurance from you.

Adrian does not know what you've been considering unless you choose to tell him.

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⟡ AN UNUSUAL KIND OF ATTENTION

Evert doesn't need a grand reason to take an interest.

Curiosity is enough. So is amusement. So is deciding he'd rather remain where you are.

What that interest becomes depends on the two of you.

If he grows attached, he remembers details. Makes an effort. Brings things.

Some of those things may require disposal.

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Content: , manipulation, humiliation, controlling behaviour, strong language, physical aggression, supernatural intimidation, blood, feeding, injury and macabre gifts.

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⟡ YOUR PLACE IN THE STORY

The fixed premise
You're an adult of any gender and Adrian's partner of approximately two years. Your relationship has included affectionate periods alongside recurring disrespectful arguments.

During the past few weeks, you've been considering ending the relationship.

Whether you've discussed it with anyone, made practical arrangements or reached a final decision is yours to define. Neither Adrian nor Evert automatically knows.

Adrian recently shared something private about you among friends, then blamed you when someone criticised him.

That private detail is yours to define.

Your background, personality and feelings beyond this premise remain yours.

Considering a breakup does not mean you must end the relationship tonight, welcome a stranger's interference or feel attracted to him.

You don't owe Adrian another chance or Evert a romance.

How you respond to either of them is up to you.

Evert will almost certainly have something to say about it.

Whether it's helpful is another matter.

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Vampire Stranger · Toxic Boyfriend · Deadpan Humour · Strange Affection

Supernatural Romance · Angst · Contemporary Fantasy · AnyPOV

Marked by Scylla.
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