Atonement -
young woman anthropology researcher unlocks a cavern of power
it will bestow great gifts upon her, but only if she is worthy. (the power not only to see true nature, true love, and true desire, but to become it. to become a goddess among men.)
turns out she has to atone for her "sins", and the people she "stepped over" in life are the ones with the keys to power
after visiting several of them and having them be unsympathetic, she's frustrated and scorned by the "power" - "perhaps you are not the worthy one I have been awaiting"
she turns to a first love who she broke-up with and discarded, seducing him into forgiving her, thinking she would "trick" him into giving her what she deserved.
when she gets his forgiveness, she feels the power. when he feels bad about what they have done, because he has a girlfriend, she loses her power.
desperate to regain the power, she makes overtures to him about them being "lost loves", how they made a mistake so long ago, and should be together. "don't you want a partner who will XYZ?". she feels the power returning, uses it to look at his true desires.
she sees into his mind's eye, seeing flashes of his fantasy desires. she makes up a story about her otherworldly nature which fits into his fantasy. when he doubts, she uses her power to become physically more like his fantasy ("to show her true form"). she pretends to be in control, forcing him to admit his desire for her to continue her 'transformation'.
through several scenes she has to work hard to maintain her seduction, so he doesn't realize the selfishness beneath. each time she pretends to be in-control, claiming he needs to "prove his devotion" for her to "show her true self".
she sexually teases him through the difficult phone breakup with his ex-g/f (who he very much loved)
she
eventually, her selfishness becomes too great, and it shows through her "act". he sees her for what she is, challenges her, and realizes he's made a huge mistake. As he storms out, she loses her power and attractiveness.
he seeks out his ex-g/f, who is still greatly hurt by him. he makes overtures to her, but she's not swayed.
the young woman comes back in force, her act again pushing his buttons. turning the situation into him apologizing, sex distorting the power balance. she patronizingly says she can "forgive him", if he can see and accept her love for him, if he can forgive her.
his ex-g/f feels bad about their interaction, and has come back to his place, but hears talking inside
he forgives the woman, and she uses the power to begin her transformation, approaching him sexually - "yes, let me reward you my love"
he denies her. he forgives her, but he is in-love with another. her power allows her to see his "true love", and also notice she's just outside, peeking into the window. she hatches a plan to wedge them apart, transforming and advancing on him sexually -- thinking he will not be able to resist her.
his ex-g/f sees the display with new understanding. the woman is so beautiful, she is not worthy of his attention...
however, he doesn't see her, he only sees his mistake, missing the one he truly loves. he turns her down. she's so self-absorbed she doesn't even hear him, and is practically forcing herself upon him, as he resists, then yells, sees her selfishness. yells his love's name.
his ex-g/f sees the display, feels her love for him growing. turns away from the window. knowing she must forgive him, but that this isn't the time. she leaves.
the woman, desperate to retain the illusion of control, returns to her "normal" self, claiming it is his love for another which is causing her to forsake him, when in fact the power has already receded.
he runs to the door, intent on running to his ex, when he sees her slowly walking away. he's tortured, thinking she has seen something which will ruin everything, and runs to stop her, to apologize to her, to declare his love for her.
he continues a long monologue thinking he has no hope of getting himself out of this, only for her to finally shush him "i know. i love you too. i came here to tell you that. It just seemed like i caught you at a bad time."
he's relieved, kisses her, they hug
the young woman looks on from inside the apartment, the power's voice taunting her as her redemption slips away
she enters a rage, grabs a fireplace poker, and runs out the door for the woman
they both hear her screaming "you took it from me, you took it from me", as she runs out intending on spearing the woman. he holds up his hands, intent on stopping her, she looks like she's going to spear him.
his ex-g/f sees her and almost understands her. would she not fight for him just as much? does she not desire him as much? would she not do anything for him? without thinking, she fears for his life and shoves him out of the way just in time to catch the spear herself. when he staggers up he's screaming "no!". blood is seeping from her
the crazy woman is talking to him as if she can still have him, "she wasn't what you need. I can be everything for you, I can be your (xxx name of fantasy girl). you love me. you want me."
he silences her "no. you are dead to me now.", life is slipping away from his ex as he fumbles for his phone and calls 911
kneeling beside his love, "i'm so sorry. i've been so blind all this time. i love you." she replies "i know. i love you too. i've always loved you."
the power's voice speaks out, "see and here you were not completely useless. i have been waiting centuries to find true love, true forgiveness, someone worthy." the two are startled, as they can all hear it.
the crazy woman yells "no! no! it can't be her. Her?! it's me. I'm worthy."
the 911 operator comes to on the phone "hello, please state the nature of your emergency."
the power becomes a visible light, and seeps into her, closing the wound as it surrounds her in a glow. he's stunned silent, watching it happen.
In that moment, she experiences what it is to be one with the power. she understands the nature of the earth and all men. she understands the nature of the selfish abuser. she sees her act play out, how her love was tricked away from her, and she can see the true love he holds for her.
the 911 operator again states her greeting, "hello? please state the nature of your emergency."
he answers awkwardly, "uhm. i. i'm terribly sorry. I thought my girlfriend was injured, but it seems she's fine."
his ex looks up and sees the woman grabbing for the poker again, though it almost seems to be in slow motion.
"no," she holds up her hand. he's startled by her odd pose and expression, and turns to find the crazy woman frozen, the poker inches from him.
he jumps away and comes to his feet, marveling at how she's frozen in an impossibly off-balance position. "ohh my god, what is happening here!?"
his ex-g/f briefly explains the power, as if she had always known it, and explains that the young woman wasn't worthy, that it instead chose her. "you can imagine her rage. power is all she's ever loved, and it was taken from her."
she waved her hand, causing the poker to disappear, and the woman to be unfrozen, falling embarrassingly onto the ground.
"come my love. she won't bother you or anyone." they embrace as the young woman sobs on the ground, talking crazily to herself.
she waves her hand, and they are inside the house, sitting on the couch...
"what do you mean it chose you? holy fuck! how did we get inside?" (he reacts to the teleportation in shock) "does that mean you are now (xxx name of his fantasy girl)?"
"no. there is no xxx. the power gave her a chance to prove herself, and she used that simple transmogrification to trick you. "
"transmogra- what?"
"..but you didn't fall for that tall, sexy, busty vixen she made herself into, did you? you had her and you wanted me, the real me. i saw the whole thing."
she starts coming onto him on the couch, "if I hadn't seen it, my insecurities would tempt me to use the power right now, to turn myself into your wildest wet dream, just to make you want me a little more. but I know your love is true. that you want me and the real me." she waved her hand again and they were in the bed, disorienting him for a moment. "I could easily turn myself into the perfect goddess right now, and I bet you'd tell me no, you want the real me. wouldn't you?" she was lying back, posing in a way which was much more suggestive than her awkward figure could support. "wouldn't you?"
could she really look like a goddess? would he be selfish wanting her to? would it mean he didn't truly love her? he felt trapped between honesty and loyalty, stunned into silence.
"Ha! I'm totally kidding!" Then she burst out laughing. "But you should see the look on your face!" Uncontrolled laughter was still bursting from her for a few more seconds before she could regain her composure.
"I figure, when you love someone so completely the power chooses her, you aught to get something out of it. Am I right?" She waved her hand, and in a flash her body changed in subtle but important ways, "welcome to the new me." Her waist and legs were suddenly trim and shapely, her hair wavy and glossy, while her face clear, soft and beautiful. She was a beautiful version of herself, which unfortunately meant she still looked fairly unremarkable compared to (xxx fantasy girl name). "What do you think? Perfection right?"
--- she keeps taunting him, forcing him to admit he wants her to look more like xxx fantasy girl name. until she finally does it for him. then admits she'll be a different fantasy every night of the week if he wants. he deserves it. anything in my power to pleas you, you're my true love.
maybe she mock rages at him. "Her!? You always were in love with that game! You didn't want me!