☆ dining area

@✧ park sooyoung "It's always been that way," he says in response to the sugar comment, finding that the sight of the cake before him is no longer repulsing as it was just a few minutes ago. Changsub even manages a nod of his head, hands coming to cross between his thighs as his gaze flits back to Sooyoung. "The best I've ever had." For once it's not a lie that's leaving his mouth either. With the v e r y few times he's eaten cake, Changsub can easily say this truly is the best he's ever had - minus, of course, the fact that 90% of his reasons simply come from the influence it has over him. Right now he couldn't be more relaxed, allowing himself to be guided by Sooyoung's hand as she grasps his face by her smooth palm. The press of her thumb against his lips had the customer humming so quietly in the back of his throat, a short and silent buzz against the pad of her finger. When it dropped to his lower lip, Changsub let her do as she pleased, following her actions and opening his mouth ever so slightly - like a door to let her in.

Lost in her warm, sugar-coated voice he can't think of any verbal response - doesn't feel the need to give one, as his eyelids droop and he finds himself leaning into her finger. Changsub, somewhat daring for being so docile in nature right now, tries to coax Sooyoung's thumb past the threshold of his lips. He wants to catch the sweet frosting that he knows is somewhere there, or at least hopes from remembering how her finger had dipped into the cake. His hands are itching to hold something, anything, and he places them on the edge of the table on both sides of Sooyoung's legs. Changsub has to stop himself from reaching any closer to the tempting surface of her thighs, finding himself content with accidentally brushing his fingernail alongside the area where her left leg meets the table top. Finding himself empty handed with her thumb Changsub tilts his head back slowly, letting her finger drag against his lip before falling. "I'm not scared anymore." he says, eyes shining with something new as he looks up at her, like Sooyoung is something praise-worthy. He's fallen all the way down the rabbit hole, with no way to escape.

[] iT'S GREAT DON'T WORRY FKJSDAHKJHS

@✦ lee changsub ˢʰ It was quite amusing to watch the sweets take effect, Sooyoung thought as she watched the light in Changsub's eyes change into something more... submissive, hazier and nonchalant. She wasn't familiar with how it felt herself, as she had never been affected by the sweets the moment she came here. She could only conclude from all her observations, and what the other witches had said about it. They said that the victims — pardon, consumers would lose all care in the world, and simply pay attention to the sources of their pleasure. One could say that the delicacies didn't do anything but bring the nature of humans to its fullest. The sweets were a terrifying drug, and it was simply their fortune that their curiosity — or circumstances, if they had been forced — had led them into a spider's web.

Of course, she had no qualms about keeping the customers in here for as long ad they lived. Who was she to refuse food that came to her willingly? She didn't even have to waste her energy hunting for them. They simply came on their own accord, and that was just their downfall. She was just taking advantage of what she had.

She listened to the man's words, nodding here and there as she moved her hand toward the slice of cake beside her, dipping her finger into the icing. Skipping dinner, huh? That had been some of the cases they'd had for the past years — she supposed they had let their guard down quite a bit. How should they counter that? Force them to eat no matter what it took? Yes, but how? Hmm... She placed her finger in between her lips, the icing from it. "Not supposed to eat sugar, hmm? That's unfortunate. Our cake here is just the best, wouldn't you agree?" She pulled her hand away, and she cupped his face using her other one. Her thumb fell to his lips, lightly revelling in the softness. Pressing gently, she motioned for him to slowly open his mouth. "That's right, sir. You shouldn't be scared. The cake did nothing to you other than make you feel pleasant, right? You shouldn't fear something that brings you pleasure, sir. You shouldn't."

[] cRIES I'M SORRY I HOPE THIS IS OK

@✧ park sooyoung Her words that would normally dig into him like flint, igniting a fiery anger, now only sent Changsub into a semi-dizzy spell. His reactions of snark and rage have dwindled into the scared confusion of a child, slowly easing into something similar to contentment. Something that makes Changsub want to stay...where? Well, it could be the motel, but it could also just be staying in Sooyoung's presence, her voice washing over him like a calm wave to the beach, rather than nails grating on a chalkboard (how he used to think of it before taking a bite of that d e l i c i o u s cake). In fact, the tone and sound of Sooyoung's voice distracted the customer from her actual words, until she was leaning forward in his direction. Swallowing the rest of the dessert - unknowingly closing the door to any free will he had left - Changsub couldn't help but give her his rapt attention. Now he was listening.

"Well, I..." he paused for a moment, as if to clear his throat before reaching for the glass of water he had previous, taking a small sip and setting it back on the table. Changsub's own voice was now so much more...pleasant, one could say. It was without any hints of disgust, only an obvious desire to do as Sooyoung asked. "The sweets never stopped working. I just never ate them in the first place. The first night I was here I...it was raining I think, and I just wanted to sleep, so I skipped dinner. When I got up the next morning it was after breakfast, but before lunch I'd already noticed the other guests were acting...weird. I declined desert during lunch because it felt strange, and I also don't...I'm not supposed to eat sugar. The longer I went without dessert the more I noticed, the less likely I was to eat it. I...pretended..."

Losing track of his thoughts Changsub shook his head, deciding to just move onto her next question. He looked up, so innocent, his hands having fallen to his lap and his shoulders just barely hunched inwards. "I've always been scared. I tried to be...angry, wanted to escape, but I was so scared." Just the thought almost drives him into a crushed expression, but as quick as the shadow of it comes, it disappears and Changsub is almost smiling up at her. "I'm not now, though. The cake helped. Why should I be afraid?"

[] i'm sorry it's a little shorter fkjsdhfkjshfks it's all i could think of ;;;;

@✦ lee changsub ˢʰ the satisfaction on sooyoung's countenance was unmistakable, and she carefully watched changsub's reaction. how would he react when he realized that he was sealing his fate to this place once again, and perhaps, this time for the rest of his life? such a small life was meaningless to her — she, who had lived a life that was even longer than most of the staff in here. her lips curled up into a smile, though it seemed more mocking than pleasant. "you know, you should be grateful that it was me who found you out, you know?" she said, an air of nonchalance exuding from her visage, and her eyes fell upon his face. "they wouldn't be as... hmm, how should i say this? as lenient? yes, as lenient as the others, i must say." although she wasn't entirely certain about that. she was quite aware of her own tendencies, and very familiar with how the other staff worked with their customers.

she was confident that she was one of the friendliest — after all, how would she then find out about the darkest things about the others if she didn't try and get closer with them? granted, she could do some research herself — that had never failed her before, her ways were quite one of the best — but it was much more fun to hear it from the person himself.

"so sir," she started, leaning down and she propped her chin up with her elbow above her crossed legs. this way, she could see his face in a closer perspective. if she had to say something, she would say that he was cute, seemed too cute and so small with how his disposition made him to be. "please do tell me. when did the sweets stop working? when did you start to realize?" she asked. might as well know how it began so she could propose ideas on how to stop it from happening again. it was a hassle, she should say. but oh well, this wasn't the first time it happened. that wasn't to say that it didn't manage to irritate her every single time, however.

"and... now that you've started to learn the truth," her smile was still plastered on her face, curved onto a knowing smile that would unnerve anyone who looked at it, "have you grown to fear us now?" she asked. she wouldn't be surprised. if one were to find out that they were being caged in like livestock inside a motel lole this one, they would either be scared or angry. it was more often the former, but she was more than capable of reminding them of their place. customers were, in a way, the staff's food — and food should just keep quiet and let themselves be devoured.

@✧ bae joohyun ʰ () cruel fate casually weaves within the fine threads of eunbi’s livelihood, withering day by day. the woman is not getting any younger with the stress seeping into her system as she takes on a couple of odd jobs at a time to support herself, eventually giving them up to find something she was interested. however, there was a cost- she won’t get paid a lot. so she ends up not having enough money for rent, and subsequently, she hears the banging on her door from the landlord, who eventually got tired of her bullcrap and evicted her out of her apartment. the sudden change in location leaves her in a hazy state. due to that horrific event, she finds herself in what seems to be some rinky dink, yet cute motel on the exterior. but the nicely decorated interior accompanied with sweet smells of baked pastries contrast with the appearance.

her heels clicked on the smooth marble floor as she saunters to the dining room. it must be the source of the overly saccharine aromas from the baked goods. something as simple as the scent of scrumptious food can alleviate the anxiety and depression she felt throughout the past couple of weeks, especially for someone with a sweet tooth like her. she was in a trance like state as she spots waitresses serving food, enthralled by their ethereal beauty. their porcelain skin, gleaming under the lights of the chandelier, sparkling as bright as a diamond, was accompanied by the plump pink lips and slender, yet voluptuous figures of the ladies. it almost seemed too good at first- a dull thrumming sound of her thoughts running through her mind remind her of her suspicion. a smile almost crept up her lips- but despite the overwhelmingly sweet atmosphere, eunbi had to keep her guard up. she then peered at one of the waitresses who seemed to be approaching her, her expression remaining stoic.

@✧ park sooyoung No, she's not a spider - he decides - but a snake. A cold-blooded snake, so hot to the touch as she presses him into the chair gently enough that it's almost scarier than it would be had she used more force. When Sooyoung blinks Changsub thinks he's imagined her having slits for pupils, frozen on the spot as he realizes she's had him completely figured out. It probably didn't even take long for her to conclude his position, and the thought that she's been merely playing with him this whole time has a brief burst of anger humming under the customer's skin. As quick as it comes it fades out when Sooyoung's breath brushes against the shell of his ear, so sudden that he doesn't even have time to react.

Then she lifts herself onto the table, her smooth legs extending when she crosses them - a sight that would surely be tempting if Changsub wasn't in this current situation. Unable to stop her from grasping his chin he lets her pull him forward, feeling like its half because of her hand and half because of some other invisible force. The fact that it's a real possibility in this place sends a shiver down the customer's spine. When he his own lips out of nervous habit Changsub's tongue accidentally catches on Sooyoung's finger, and he almost recoils save for how well she has him in place.

Oh, he thinks, this must be what it feels like when you realize you're powerless. Changsub can't get away, and he can't retaliate, effectively cornered by this slithering snake of a woman who's fingers brush against his like a warning as she steals the fork from his hand. Her fingernail scritches along his second knuckle, like the forked tongue of a reptile, and he watches from the corner of his eye as she dips the pronged utensil into soft chocolate. When she lifts it to his mouth Changsub wonders if he should make a last ditch effort and seal his lips, but his heart and mind both agree that it's futile.

He opens his mouth, allowing the sweet to slide past his lips, catching on the corner of his top tier and decorating it with sugary frosting. Changsub's mouth closes around the bite, and it feels like dead weight against his tongue as mousse trickles down the length of his tongue. He's beaten.

@✦ lee changsub ˢʰ Sooyoung watched the male with a piercing gaze. She stood beside him, and she figured she did not even need to use her ability to know how exactly this was going to go down. Not that she usually had any need to, anyway. Everything simply went the way she wanted it to, no matter how many others struggled. This man was merely another one of her pawns, so to speak. Or should have been, if he were under the effects of the delicacies the motel had endlessly served for the customers. With his words, she was now certain that he had long been free of the charms, and was now free to leave if he could — if she would let him, of course.

She tilted her head to the side, a look of disappointment washing over her face. "Is that so? I was looking forward to know how you thought of them." She held onto his shoulders once again, the action seemingly gentle to anyone else's view, but her grip was firm. She did not think he would dare try and move within her clutches — there was a sort of unpredictability to the lady's behavior. "Are you sure your taste buds are really bland? Or..." She her lower lip, and she leaned down, her lips just close enough to Changsub's ear without really touching it. Her breath touched his skin, her eyes half-closed as the corners of her lips curled up into a knowing smile.

"Or did you really just not want to eat it?" Even having the thought of not wanting to eat it indicated that he was still thinking on his own free will, without the influence of the motel and its staff. For her to even say that meant that she had already known of his current condition. "My, my, this is not a good sign, sir," she said, her tone melodic as she moved from his back to his side, sitting above the table. One of her leg was placed above the other, and she touched the male's chin with the tip of her finger, guiding him to face her. She then held his jaw, forcing his mouth to open. If this were any normal motels, she would have been sued for her treatment of their customers — but no, she deemed this was necessary.

She smiled. "You should know the rules by now — you can't refuse these sweets, sir." Her other hand reached for the fork, and she took a piece of the cake with it, holding the utensil up near the man's mouth afterwards.

@✧ park sooyoung Eyeing the chair like it was a rabid dog Changsub was hoping he could stand away, but Sooyoung's hands on his shoulder's effectively pushed the man into it until his torso was almost flush against the edge of the dinner table. Unease prickled down his spine and over his skin. Glancing up at Sooyoung his expression flashed by for a millisecond, almost innocent or childlike in fear before hardening into his usual stony facade. Changsub's almost completely sure that Sooyoung's caught on, and he can't say he's s u r p r i s e d since he probably does a horrible job of hiding it, but for her to approach the situation so publicly...he doesn't know if he should be grateful that he's not alone with her, or even more fearful because the possibility of staff hanging around puts pressure on him to act fully under control. Pressure to go through with whatever she has planned, in case something worse comes if he doesn't.

"I'm already sitting down..." he mumbles, and it was supposed to be a somewhat scathing verbal attack that ended up falling weakly like a kitten. Changsub feels like a fly trapped in a web, waiting for the spider to come back and realize what it's caught. "And I'm not very..."

'How about I give you one that I baked?' the spider says, returning to her web.

"Hungry."

He gulps silently as she places the chocolate cake in front of him, staring at it for a moment before his fingers are sliding across the table, wrapping around a rose-tinted fork. Changsub can bring himself to dip it into the dessert just yet, glancing back at Sooyoung with one last tactic up his sleeve. "I'm not very good at describing things. My taste buds are pretty, bland...wouldn't someone else be better to try it?"

@✦ lee changsub Sooyoung did not look even the slightest bit of convinced, and she simply smiled, perhaps way sweeter than she usually did. She pulled a chair for the male, gesturing for him to sit down. "Now, now, the staff gave their best and put their love in these sweets, sir," she said. Her suspicion of him being free from the effects of their desserts was growing stronger by the minute, and she went to his back, putting her strong hands above his shoulders, and she pushed him gently to the chair, forcing him to sit down. She tried not to be so forceful about it, but she supposed it would not matter. Changsub already had ideas of things he should not be aware of. She wondered how he slipped past their radar. Was it his personality? His tendency to blend with the background more than the others? She supposed she might have let her guard down with this man.

But that was of no matter. She was going to fix it right then.

"Sit down. I'll give you one of those chocolate cakes you love," she said, and an idea popped into her mind. "Ah! How about I give you one that I baked?" That was impossible, first and foremost. She had no idea how to bake or cook, which was why there was a silent ban for her in the kitchen. But he did not know that, did he? Or even if he did, he would not say anything about it, perhaps. She did not wait for his answer, actually, and she went ahead to take a small slice of chocolate cake from the counter. Her movements were elegant and swift, and in no time, she was beside the male again, placing the plate in front of him. "I don't have much baking experience, but I really want to know your input about the first cake I've made."

@✧ park sooyoung He nods once, perhaps twice in response to her mirrored question. Changsub is at least telling the truth when he says he's not hungry, so they can't get after him for being a liar. His gaze followed Sooyoung's as she seemed to look at the pocket now occupied by his hand. Nervous energy caused the customer to fidget, a few more crumbs dropping to the floor in quite a distasteful manner as it was rather clean. Changsub still had a tiny sliver of hope that he could escape back to his room without incident, but it was clear that wouldn't be the case as Sooyoung stepped away from her position in his direction.

"I think I'm pretty good at knowing how much I should eat." he quickly responded, glancing over to the dessert table the moment she mentioned it. "Besides, if I s h o u l d eat anything, it needs to be, uh, healthy, right?" Changsub doesn't think she really concerns herself with health. With as many sweets they serve here? It's probably the lowest - or not even on their list - of top priorities. When he feels her gaze on him again Changsub has no choice but to return it, shrugging once and nodding his head towards the table. He can't just say he hasn't had a single one of those treats, so here he is, lying unlike before. "The chocolate one," he says, before correcting it. "Ones." The one he's looking at...he's not sure if it's chocolate or coffee flavored, hoping the plural noun will somehow save him.

@✦ lee changsub "a little bit?" sooyoung raised an eyebrow at the male's answer, her eyes showing that she was not convinced even for the slightest bit. her gaze dropped from the man's face down to his hand by his pocket. judging by some of the crumbs that hung from the fabric of his clothes, she figured that his dinner was bread, and for all the right reasons, she obviously was not satisfied that he was eating so little. and she was certain that was not just for today, as she could swear that she saw the man either eat less than enough or not eat at all. obviously, she did not care for his health at all, but what she was slightly worried about, was the fact that he might be free of the effects of the sweets.

which certainly meant trouble if word got out.

she decided to approach the man, her posture relaxed and mien nonchalant. "you should be eating more, sir. plus our desserts here are perfect, wouldn't you agree?" she said, and she glanced toward the counter, where most of the desserts fell in line with each other, before she turned her gaze back to his figure. "which is your favorite, may i ask?" she said, gesturing to the sweets in the room. she decided to run a little test, and depending on its results... she would either leave the man alone, or she would... do immediate actions in response to it.

@✧ park sooyoung There's always a certain air of trepidation Changsub feels whenever he enters the dining room. Usually he can put up with it during breakfast, lunch and dinner - it's always dessert that makes him feel sick to his stomach. Luckily enough dinner is still in full swing at the moment, and he's able to shuffle along undetected, snagging a single bite of some toasted bread before heading to the water cooler. It's somehow pink, like almost everything else in the building, which Changsub is finding to be his least favorite color as of late. His appetite seems to be gone as cold liquid sloshes into his cup, spilling over the lip and spotting his hand.

A sigh falls past his lips as he brings the cup to his mouth and drinks, turning back around to at least take another piece of bread and leave...only to be interrupted by one of the employees near the door. Changsub glances up with half-confusion and half-annoyance, which he quickly attempts to throw behind a mask at meeting her gaze. He straightens up only slightly, still hunched with one hand shoved into his pocket (accidentally filling it with crumbs, unfortunately). "I had a little bit." he responds, pulling a polite smile onto his lips and shrugging once, taking another silent sip from his glass. "Not really that hungry tonight." Or any other night, if anyone had bothered to take notice.

[] it's grEa T !! i hope mine's alright ;;

@✦ lee changsub sooyoung took pride in the fact that she was more familiar with most of the residents here than most of the other staff. it was not because she was friendly and she had befriended all of them. it was mostly because... she observed them, watched each and every one here rather intently. she would claim it was part of her job. well, technically, it was, if she pulled the 'it's to keep you guys safe' card. after all, it would be quite risky if someone, let's say... found out the truth behind the delicacies. that would require immediate response, and it was sooyoung's job as a lady guard to act against that.

and for now, lee changsub was the one who had caught her attention. he was... subtle about it, but it did not escape her eyes, especially not her doll eye. it seemed as though he was not under the effects of their sweets, though she was still quite unsure about it. she pursed her lips, simply watching the aforementioned man in the dining area, getting a glass of water to drink. for a moment, she wondered if they should have put something in the water too, but she quickly pushed the thought down. a pleasant smile found its way to her lips, gloved hands behind her back. "sir changsub," she called, and she leaned against the doorway. "aren't you going to eat dinner? the staff worked hard on preparing it."

[] i hope this is good enOugh br ea th es