How about... Newt & Hermann, 30?
hhHHHHHH
30: evil
~~~
When Hermann stands up from the chair in front of Alice, Newton knows immediately that it's worked.
His brain is fizzling, crackling, popping, with their joy of victory, because-
Herrmann is infected.
As the apple the snake gave unto Eve is this drift system. It promised knowledge without sacrifice, but it's become torment, a hell of his own making, and there is no redemption.
Hermann moves slowly, jerkily, his face twisted in pain, and stares at Newt.
They have a stranglehold on him. There will be no slow, slippery descent. There will be no temptation, no giving in, no compromise, the way Newton went. For Hermann, there will only be the crushing knowledge that he is no longer his own.
And it's Newton's fault.
Both times, he was the one who played with fire, and this time, Hermann is burning.
"I'm sorry." Newton whispers. They allow it, because it makes no difference. Newton can say whatever he wants. His hands, his feet, his brain, they're not his own and he can't damage their plans by apologizing to a man they've already twisted twisted twisted and bent until the cracking of a sudden break can be heard in the near future.
"I'm so sorry."
"You will be." They say, with Hermann's mouth, and then Newt is jerked back from his own body and buried in regret.
