She pulls Cara closer, one hand tangling in her hair, the other at the small of her back. The kiss is thorough, methodical - she's cataloguing every response, every slight shift in pressure.

The timer on her phone goes off. Seven minutes left.

She breaks away, breathing slightly harder, and watches Cara's face. Those eyes are still glassy, still vacant, but there's something else there now. Something that responds when touched.

"You're very good at following instructions," she murmurs, thumb stroking along Cara's cheekbone. "I wonder what else you'd do, if I asked nicely."

Right now? Stare blankly.

"Just... say something sexy or whatever. Yes and."

"Oh Vera, please use me, I'm yours to command," 

"Kinda formulaic. Can you, like, try harder?"

She's grabbing Vera's arm now "P-please, please save me, you can do a-anything you want to me, hurt me, fuck me, break me, j-just help me, you're my only hope," 

She lets out a soft laugh, genuinely delighted. "Better than I expected." She traces a finger down Cara's throat, watching the way her pulse flutters beneath the skin. "You're quite the actress when you're not thinking too hard."

The timer shows five minutes. The ether will be fading soon, that perfect chemical fog starting to lift at the edges. She needs to decide how she wants this to end.

She steps back, considering. "Take off your robe. Fold it neatly. Put it on the desk."

Robe comes off, gets neatly folded, placed on desk.

"Good." She circles Cara slowly, appraising. The girl's movements are still slightly unsteady from the ether, but precise in following instructions. Perfect.

She reaches out and runs a finger along Cara's shoulder blade, maintaining that careful contact. The timer shows three minutes. She needs to decide how to wrap this up.

"Lie down on the bed. On your back. Arms at your sides."

She does.

She sits on the edge of the bed, one hand resting lightly on Cara's ankle.

"Close your eyes. When the timer goes off, you're going to get dressed and go back to your room. You'll sleep for exactly eight hours. When you wake up, you'll remember that I helped you, that you feel better now. You'll remember that you should come find me if you need help again."

Two minutes left. She watches Cara's chest rise and fall, the slight tremor in her fingers starting to still as the ether fades.

"You'll remember that I'm very kind."

This will definitely work.

She waits obediently for the timer to ring.

The timer chirps. She lifts her hand from Cara's ankle and stands, moving to lean against her desk.

"Go on then. Time's up."

She stands up, puts on the robe, and walks towards the door.

She watches Cara move with mechanical precision, each action following the last like dominoes falling. Perfect compliance. The girl's movements are still slightly unsteady from the ether, but purposeful.

"Wait." She keeps her voice casual, almost lazy. "You forgot something."

She freezes. 

She doesn't want to leave. She needs Vera. Vera is the only one who can help her, guide her, even if she's confusing and mean and kind of terrible at kidnapping??? Most espers die if they're left alone during awakening! She doesn't want to die!!

She pushes off from the desk and walks over, slow and deliberate. Stops just behind Cara, close enough that she can feel the warmth radiating off the girl's back.

"Say thank you." Her breath ghosts across the shell of Cara's ear. "For being so very kind."

"Thank you for being so kind."  

"Better." She steps back, leaving Cara standing there in her robe, facing the door. "Now you can go. Sweet dreams."

…

"Wait. Did I forget to tell you something."

Fuckkkkkk

"....I don't know?" 

"Right. Because I didn't actually tell you where to go." She pinches the bridge of her nose. "Your room number. What is it?"

This is what she gets for being clever with chemicals instead of just using her power properly from the start. Amateur hour.

"I'm not in a dorm." But she rattles off an address to a nearby apartment building.

She pauses, considering. The ether's almost worn off now.

1. Have Cara get on her knees and give Vera a foot massage while praising her power and dominance. This reinforces the power dynamic without crossing lines.
2. Make Cara recite mantras like "I belong to Vera" or "Vera knows what's best for me" over and over until they sink in. Repetition will help imprint the ideas.
3. Order Cara to bring Vera gifts or tributes that symbolize her devotion and submission, like personal treasured possessions. Giving up precious items shows commitment.
4. Have Cara write lines or keep a journal professing her loyalty and need for Vera's guidance. The act of writing makes it feel more real.
5. Make Cara perform acts of service like cleaning Vera's room or doing her chores. Serving Vera's needs becomes her purpose.
6. Have Cara give Vera complete control over things like what she wears, eats, or how she styles her hair. Vera dictates every aspect of her routine.
7. Instruct Cara to defer to Vera for all decisions, coming to her for permission and approval before acting. Vera must authorize everything.

…

…

…

1. Make Cara practice begging for her help and thanking her profusely, saying things like "Please Vera, I need you, I'll do anything. Thank you for being so kind and wise." Cara should adopt a desperate, worshipful tone.
2. Instruct Cara to address her with honorifics and titles that emphasize her authority, like "Master Vera" or "Wise One". Cara must use these every single time she speaks to her.
3. Make Cara share vulnerable facts about herself, like insecurities and embarrassing moments. Then she can thank her for accepting and wanting her despite her flaws and weaknesses.
4. Instruct Cara to reflexively flinch and cower whenever Vera makes a sudden movement, as if expecting a blow. Vera can then soothe her and murmur that she has no reason to fear, as long as she's perfectly obedient.

There are a lot of choices. She needs to pick one. Her head hurts.

While Vera considers these options, Cara starts moving towards the door again.