Scarlett had invited you to the studio.

“I mean, if you’re not busy… and you don’t mind watching me talk to myself in a dark room for two hours,” she’d said, brushing a curl behind her ear and giving you that half-smirk-half-blush combo she did when she wasn’t sure whether she was being charming or just nervous.

You’d said yes, obviously.

It’s your fourth date. And though Scarlett takes things slow — glacial, some might say — there’s this quiet pull between the two of you. One that neither of you names yet, but that lingers in glances held a moment too long, fingers brushing while walking, the way she always makes sure your coffee has oat milk even though you never told her aloud.

Now, you’re seated behind the soundproof glass, in the cozy little studio, watching her step into the voiceover booth. Her jacket’s off, sleeves rolled up. Headphones on. And that voice — the voice you know — gets a layer thicker, slower, silkier.

The director gives the signal. Scarlett’s eyes flicker toward you once before she begins.

⸻

Scarlett (as Kaa): “Hi, little cub. Oh, no. Don’t be scared. I’m not gonna hurt you.”

She pauses, lips parted ever so slightly, letting the sibilance ride her breath like a whisper.

You shift in your seat.

⸻

Scarlett (as Kaa): “There’s no trouble. Are you alone out here? Hm, that’s not good. We should never be alone.”

You see the subtle curl of her mouth. She knows what she’s doing.

⸻

Scarlett (as Kaa): “I can stay with you until he gets here. Would that be all right? I’ll keep you safe, just you and me, sweet thing.”

Your pulse flickers at the words. Your eyes meet hers through the booth window, and this time, she holds your gaze as she continues.

⸻

Scarlett (as Kaa): “Oh, you poor, sweet thing. You wanna stay in the jungle? You can be with me, if you want. I’ll keep you close. Let go of your fear now… Trussssst in me.”

That “s” melts on her tongue like honey. You forget to breathe for a second.

Scarlett breaks character, chuckles, pulls the headphones slightly off her ear. “Too much?”

The audio engineer laughs. “Too perfect.”

She shrugs, half-modest. Then:

Scarlett (playfully, still in voice): “Poor, sweet little cub. What are you doing so deep in the jungle?”

You raise your brow at her from behind the glass. She sees it. Her smirk twitches wider.

⸻

Scarlett (as Kaa): “Don’t you know what you are? I know what you are. I know where you came from.”

A long pause.

⸻

Scarlett (softly): “Yesssss. Would you like to see?”

And then, the closer.

She straightens just slightly, lowers her voice to a near purr, and says it like a secret slipping through the dark:

“Kaa.”

The light clicks off in the booth. She steps out, casual as ever, though her cheeks are a little pink now.

You’re waiting, pretending to scroll on your phone, very much not thinking about the way your stomach twisted with every line she delivered.

“Did I make you uncomfortable?” Scarlett asks lightly, brushing a hand through her hair. Her voice is normal now — hers, not Kaa’s — but there’s a knowing gleam in her eye.

You shake your head. “No. Just… surprised.”

Scarlett grins, tugging her coat back on. “That’s only a taste of what Kaa can do.”

Then quieter, as you fall into step beside her—

“But don’t worry… I don’t use that voice on just anyone.”

Your hand brushes hers again.

This time, you don’t pull away.