Oct-26-2001 5:10 PM Message 84 of 245

Subject: Alone [Belle]

From: cyberian_belle

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 83 ]

Belle walks slowly from the door, gently pressing her fingers to the tingle where Dahlia kissed her cheek. She returns to the living room and looks at the remains of dinner on the table. Despite the late hour, Belle feels wide awake and decides to clean up before bed.

She steps out of her pumps, the cold floor sending a pleasant thrill from the soles of her bare feet to the base of her spine. Not wanting to risk staining her mother's dress while she cleans, Belle pulls it off as well, carefully draping it over the back of a chair so that she can take it out to her car in the morning. The cool air raises gooseflesh and hardens her nipples, which she finds exhilarating. She decides not to bother fetching a robe from upstairs.

She simply dumps the remaining meat, salad and bread into the trash bin, followed by the empty wine bottle. Turning on the faucet to fill the kitchen sink with hot water, she retrieves the plates, bowls and wine glasses. As she washes the dishes, she watches the moon's bright reflection sparkling on the lake. Though in just her panties, she turns and heads for the back door, drawn by an urge to walk in the moonlight, or even to take a naked swim. She stops with her hand on the doorknob. "Don't be stupid," she scolds herself aloud. "You'd freeze to death in that water this time of year."

Instead, she resumes her chores. With the dishes drying in their rack, she returns to the dining room. She sets the linen napkins on the chair by the dress, all destined for the drycleaners. She snuffs each candle between her fingertips, savoring the sting of each dying ember against her thumb. She sets the candlesticks on the sideboard, and finds she can still see perfectly in the bright moonlight filtering through the windows.

The only thing left to do is determine if the antique tablecloth also requires a trip to the cleaners. She inspects where she sat at dinner, confirming it remains clean. She finds no trace of the spilled wax; fortunately, all of it must have ended up on the back of her hand. While confident that Dahlia would have eaten as fastidiously as possible, Belle has to check her place at the table as well. It would not do to put away her mother's favorite tablecloth with a stain setting in.

As she sits in Dahlia's chair, the dusky scent of what she presumes to be her guest's perfume reaches her. It clings to the tablecloth, and she gathers it to her face and breaths deeply, absorbing the aroma into her being.

Belle still cannot fathom what had happened that evening. It had started so well, and despite Belle's strange and still, to her, unaccountable indiscretion with the ice, she felt that she and Dahlia had developed a close friendship. Then something occurred that Belle finds impossible to understand. It seemed that her mind had wandered for a moment --- though Belle could not imagine why, she had drank less than one glass of wine at that point --- after which everything changed. Dahlia returned to her former aloofness, and took her leave as soon as dinner ended.

Belle realizes that her guest's departure has left her feeling lonelier than she can ever remember. She clutches the bunched end of the tablecloth to her chest, sighing as the smooth linen caresses her breasts and the weave of its lace catches at her nipples. Belle remains seated like that for a long time, finally retiring to bed just as the first light of dawn appears in the room.

***

Oct-26-2001 3:49 PM Message 85 of 245

Subject: Silent Surrender [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: cyberian_belle [ Message 80 ]

The next night, Laura has another nightmare. She stands at the edge of a cliff, looking across a narrow, but impassable gorge. Her best friend, Belle, stands on the far side, fully naked, and seemingly oblivious to the demonic monster lurking behind her. Laura tries to shout a warning, but the roar of the roiling waters rushing through the gorge between and below them drown out her words. Belle just waves merrily in reply, as if she thinks Laura�s desperate cries are mere calls of greeting.

Then, with a knowing smile, Belle turns and willingly steps into the embrace of the evil creature.

Only half-awake, Laura�s hands flutter across her breasts, rubbing erect nipples through the filmy fabric of her camisole, then slide down her stomach to slip inside her panties.

Laura wakes fully with a gasp and pulls her hands away. She glances over and is relieved to find Tricia, the woman with whom she shares the hotel room, is still asleep. For her own part, Laura does not sleep again that night.

***

May-14-2001 5:25 PM Message 86 of 245

Subject: Inspiration [Guillaume].

From: Anborn

Reply to: Iethro_Tullius [ Message 79 ]

Guillaume FitzHenry --- deeply in thought as he stared into the fire --- jumped slightly when the music began. He sat up and looked around the room, finally spotting the minstrel in the corner. Guillaume sat back and smiled.

He had not heard Ian in ages. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed his singing. Somehow, Ian had managed to guess his mood, and this opening song --- with its theme of Nature's resilience in the face of humanity's attempts to subdue it --- confirmed for Guillaume that he had made the right decision in visiting this new Gathering Place.

Fine music, sweet wyne, and the promise of genteel company all helped Guillaume realize he had spent far too long holed up in his ancient, forgotten castle. Ironically, but not surprisingly, human "progress" had meanwhile turned the world less civilized. Yet, if the likes of Ian could survive on this Earth, Guillaume decided, then time remained to remedy what the mortals had done.

Sound and movement to his right roused him from his dark contemplation. He looked up to see a female figure silhouetted in the foyer doorway. He stood as she entered the room.

When Dahlia moved into the firelight, Guillaume saw that she remained as beautiful as he remembered. As she approached, Guillaume did not even try to hide how he admired her face and body. Her long dark hair flowed down to frame her red silk blouse, its plunging neckline revealing deep cleavage and the creamy tops of her full, round breasts. All this accented her thin waist and narrow hips, swaying smoothly in a full length, black leather shirt. With each step, the long slit of the skirt parted enough to reveal a thin triangle of silky thigh above knee-high, black leather boots.

Guillaume smiled. While human civilization had wrought much havoc in the world, he had to admit that the change in women's fashions over the past two centuries showed tremendous progress, taste and enlightenment.

***

May-15-2001 5:03 PM Message 87 of 245

Subject: Old friends.

From: Vampiress_Dahlia

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 86 ]

~*Dahlia smiles as she sees Guilllaume standing by the fire. She watches as his eyes make a slow inspection of her body. She is not insulted, nor does she try to hide her own inspection. It is the highest compliment to another vampire to make them feel sexually alluring.*~

~*He is exactly as she remembers him, maybe even more handsome due to how much time they have spent apart. He stands a little over six feet tall with a hard, masculine body with well-developed muscles. His immaculate dark tailored suit hangs well on his highly admirable body, a red tie is tied around his neck...one she could remember wishing to bite had he been mortal when they'd met. Her eyes lift to his face and she fights the urge to run her fingers through his thick medium brown hair with it's silver highlights at the sides.*~

~*Guillaume approaches her, bowing with an exaggerated flourish.*~

"My dear Lady Dahlia, it pleases me greatly to be once again in your acquaintance. Thank you for extending such warm hospitality."

~* He takes her right hand in his own and kisses her pale, cool flesh, gently scraping his fangs down the veins present there, not drawing blood, before he stands. Dahlia smiles a slow, sensual smile before dipping a curtsey.*~

"M'Lord Guillaume, it pleases me also to be in your company once more. Are you enjoying yourself? I am sorry I was not here to greet you myself, but I was in the middle of something...delicious."

~*Guillaume smiles a devilish grin at her, understanding completely.*~

***

May-16-2001 9:09 AM Message 88 of 245

Subject: Appetizer [Guillaume].

From: Anborn

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 87 ]

Dahlia apologizes to Guillaume --- quite unnecessarily --- for being absent when he arrived. She explains that she "was in the middle of something...delicious."

"Indeed, I noticed the aroma of some sweet delicacy when I arrived." Guillaume again takes Dahlia's left hand, and leads her back toward the fireplace. With his touch, he can sense the hungers within her. She has obviously gone unsated, in various ways, for many days at least. Of course, after his long seclusion, finding so beautiful a vampiress in such a state delights him greatly. Nonetheless, he wonders why Dahlia has not taken advantage of all that is available from the young mortal girl, whose natural musk he can still detect, mingling intoxicatingly with Dahlia's own. "Pray tell, Dahlia. What has become of the tasty morsel?"

***

May-16-2001 11:20 AM Message 89 of 245

Subject: Tribute {of sorts}

From: Iethro_Tullius

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 87 ]

The Vampiress Dahlia enters her parlor just as Ian ends his first song. Ian bends low, brining his arm around to whip the green cap from his head and down to sweep across the floor in a grand gesture. He then stands as Lord Guillaume takes Dahlia's hand and kisses it. The Lady responds with a courtly curtsy.

Ian smiles knowingly at their formality. With great relish, he pulls his flute from his sack and begins the introduction to his next number, which he then sings with gusto.

~~~

One day I walked the road and crossed a field

to go by where the hounds ran hard.

And on the master raced: behind the hunters chased

to where the path was barred.

One fine young lady's horse refused the fence to clear.

I unlocked the gate but she did wait until the pack had disappeared.

Crop handle carved in bone;

sat high upon a throne of finest English leather.

The queen of all the pack,

this joker raised his hat and talked about the weather.

All should be warned about this high born Hunting Girl.

She took this simple man's downfall in hand;

I raised the flag that she unfurled.

Boot leather flashing and spurnecks the size of my thumb.

This highborn hunter had tastes as strange as they come.

Unbridled passion: I took the bit in my teeth.

Her standing over --- me on my knees underneath.

My lady, be discrete.

I must get to my feet and go back to the farm.

Whilst I appreciate you are no deviate,

I might come to some harm.

I'm not inclined to acts refined, if that's how it goes.

Oh, high born Hunting Girl,

I'm just a normal low born so and so.

~~~

***

May-16-2001 4:14 PM Message 90 of 245

Subject: All in the family.

From: Vampiress_Dahlia

Reply to: Iethro_Tullius [ Message 89 ]

~*Dahlia chuckles as Ian dips low, sweeping his hat across the marble floor. He always was a show off. He starts to sing her a song and she stands with Guillaume by the fireplace, enjoying the company and the music. When Ian finishes, she smiles and applauds softly.*~

"Lovely, as always, Ian. Come, take a break and have a drink with Guillaume and I. We will catch up on old times."

~*Dahlia turns to Guillaume at his quesiton of the "morsel".*~

"She is a vampiress in the making, my old friend. She will be my pupil...I will teach her all there is to know about being a creature of the night. Her sensuality runs deep in her veins, waiting to be unleashed. It would be a waste merely to feed upon her and leave her for dead...so much potential would be forgotten."

~*A slow smile creeps up Dahlia's lips, one she is famous for. Guillaume reads it and her eyes knowingly, nodding and chuckling beneath his breath.*~

***

May-17-2001 8:30 AM Message 91 of 245

Subject: Pedantic [Guillaume].

From: Anborn

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 90 ]

"A pupil? How wonderful!" Guillaume laughs in appreciation, then becomes introspective. "Many centuries have passed since I last assumed the responsibility and privilege of taking on a pupil." He returns to his chair facing the fireplace and picks up his wyne.

He sighs, then looks up at Dahlia with a crooked smile. "What do you think?" he asks with a chuckle. "Might I still have a thing or two to teach a young Kindred?"

***

May-17-2001 3:22 PM Message 92 of 245

Subject: Knowing His Place

From: Iethro_Tullius

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 90 ]

Ian smiles sadly, an expression of forlorn hope, upon hearing Dahlia has taken a pupil. Ian cannot count the number of Kindred he has seen adopt some promising mortal with whom to try to share eternity. Although a lucky few had found timeless and loving friendship, most such relationships ended in bitter disappointment, if not outright tragedy.

It is not, however, Ian's place to question his hostess' decisions. Just as mortals are driven to breed, Kindred must answer the natural call to find companionship and thereby increase their own kind. Blessed be the way of the Worlds.

It is, however, Ian's place, and his predilection, to accept Dahlia's invitation to a drink. He raises his mandolin and slides off the stool. He meanders across the large room, rendering one more song before taking refreshment.

~~~

Well the dawn was coming,

heard him ringing on my bell.

He said, "My name's the Teacher,

for that is what I call myself.

And I have a lesson

that I must impart to you.

It's an old expression

but I must insist it's true.

Jump up, look around,

find yourself some fun,

no sense in sitting there hating everyone.

No man's an island and his castle isn't home,

the nest is full of nothing when the bird has flown."

So I took a journey,

through my world into the sea.

With me went the Teacher

who found fun instead of me.

Hey man, what's the plan, what was that you said?

Sun-tanned, drink in hand, lying there in bed.

I try to socialize but I can't seem to find

what I was looking for, got something on my mind.

Then the Teacher told me

it had been a lot of fun.

Thanked me for his ticket

and all that I had done.

Hey man, what's the plan, what was that you said?

Sun-tanned, drink in hand, lying there in bed.

I try to socialize but I can't seem to find

what I was looking for, got something on my mind.

~~~

***

May-17-2001 10:59 PM Message 93 of 245

Subject: Obsession.

From: Vampiress_Dahlia

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 91 ]

~*Dahlia tilts her head back slightly and has a good laugh.*~

"My Dear Guillaume, what mortal could resist you? They seem to get easier and easier. Back in the old days humans were petrified of us and called us witches and demons and the like. Now, humans are so obsessed with the darker side of things it's almost pathetically easy to use them as a snack."

~*Dahlia clicks her tongue in disgust at the last statement.*~

"But my Belle, Mmmm...she will be a treat. I've sipped from her twice now and her blood feels like velvet-coated honey sliding down my throat. The poor girl is probably out of her mind with wanting me though. My DNA is in her veins...she can't get her mind off of me. She'll be here tomorrow night for "dinner". I want both of you on your best behavior, understood?"

~*Dahlia looks at Guillaume and Ian, a sexy smirk on her mouth.*~

***

May-18-2001 9:09 AM Message 94 of 245

Subject: Impressed [Guillaume].

From: Anborn

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 93 ]

"You've bitten and left her alone in the daylight world?" Guillaume shakes his head slowly and chuckles. "Do you know what that will do to a mortal? With your essence in her veins, she's become addicted to you... She'll crave you like an opium smoker needs his pipe... only worse, because there is none of the wasting and lethargy caused by a drug. Rather, you've made her stronger... more sensual. You've sipped twice! By the moon, she must be nearly insane with desire by now."

Guillaume notices Dahlia's smirk and the sultry fire in her half closed eyes. "You do know!" He laughs heartily. "I'll admit, it's a favorite trick of mine, but I would not have expected it from you, Dahlia. You've become deliciously wicked over the years, my dear."

Dahlia responds with a playful curtsy, then settles into the other chair facing the fire. As she lifts her goblet, Guillaume raises his and they clink rims. "To your 'pupil,'" he toasts, then sips his wyne. "As for your request that I behave... Well, that's not really in my nature, but she's yours and I'll respect that. I'll keep my hands off of her if you insist. She's your project, Dahlia; I just hope you take full advantage of it."

***

May-19-2001 1:16 PM Message 95 of 245

Subject: Over the years.

From: Vampiress_Dahlia

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 94 ]

~*Dahlia raises her glass and clinks it against Guillaume's. Her smile slowly fades, remembering his comment about how "deliciously wicked" she had become. No doubt Guillaume much prefers her new tricks to her lifestyle of old.*~

"I have changed very much over the years. Do you remember what I was like so long ago? I would have killed my own mother if I were hungry enough....and if she were still alive by then. You'd think that already being a few centuries old would have quelled my passion for violence? What was it they called me, dear Guilllaume....the Demonic Angel? Indeed, my horns supported my halo in those days!"

~*Dahlia shakes her head, swirling her wine in her glass.*~

***

May-21-2001 8:41 AM Message 96 of 245

Subject: Soubriquet [Guillaume].

From: Anborn

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 95 ]

"What was it they called me, dear Guillaume.... the Demonic Angel?" Dahlia smiles in sad nostalgia. "Indeed, my horns supported my halo in those days!"

Guillaume senses her slipping into introspection. He wonders if he should have pressed her about the mortal. To Guillaume's mind, it would not do to have Dahlia return to her renowned, intransigent ethics. Guillaume does not doubt that such growing diffidence among the Kindred in the face of Humanity's expanding power and knowledge has allowed the world to sink into its current decay.

Guillaume wants to better understand Dahlia's mood, so he asks, "If you are no longer the 'Demonic Angel,' what shall we call you now?"

***

May-23-2001 3:40 PM Message 97 of 245

Subject: NOT a Suggestion

From: Iethro_Tullius

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 96 ]

"If you are no longer the 'Demonic Angel,' what shall we call you now?" Ian hears Guillaume ask Dahlia. Ian ponders the question himself for a moment, but decides he is unwilling to make a suggestion.

Names are too powerful a tool to be chosen lightly.

When he sees Dahlia also at a loss for an immediate response, he starts a song to remind her of this.

~~~

Colours I've none, dark or light, red, white or blue.

Cold is my touch (freezing).

Summoned by name --- I am the overseer over you.

Given this command to watch o'er our miserable sphere.

Fallen from grace, called on to bring sun or rain.

Occasional corn from my oversight grew.

Fell with mine angels from a far better place,

offering services for the saving of face.

Now you're here, you may as well admire

all whom living has retired from the benign reconciliation.

Legends were born surrounding mysterious lights

seen in the sky (flashing).

I just lit a fag then took my leave in the blink of an eye.

Passionate play join round the maypole in dance

(primitive rite) (wrongly).

Summoned by name I am the overseer over you.

~~~

***

May-23-2001 5:20 PM Message 98 of 245

Subject: A new identity.

From: Vampiress_Dahlia

Reply to: Iethro_Tullius [ Message 97 ]

~*Dahlia smiles at Ian as she sings and runs a hand through his hair.*~

"Well," she says to both of them. "I suppose you can just call me Dahlia. It's my name isn't it? And it fits me...dahlia is a type of flower. It grows in even the rockiest of soil and is an enduring beautiful plant. Is that not a vampire?"

***

May-24-2001 12:07 PM Message 99 of 245

Subject: Full Bloom [Guillaume].

From: Anborn

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 98 ]

"I must say..." Guillaume begins with a low chuckle as he again examines her modern clothes. The deep "V"-cut neckline of her scarlet blouse exposes, from Guillaume's angle in the chair beside her, much of her ample right breast. Dahlia crosses her legs, and its long slit allows her black leather skirt to fall away to either side of her thigh, exposing creamy smooth skin from the top of her knee-high black boots to a point not far below the hip. "I must say, I have always appreciated how prettily you've blossomed."

Dahlia smiles, and Guillaume sits back in his chair, although his eyes still rest casually upon her bare leg. He sighs and continues, "But, please, forgive my vulgarity. It seems I have forgotten my manors. Remember that over two centuries have passed since I last enjoyed the gracious company of Kindred."

***

May-24-2001 12:55 PM Message 100 of 245

Subject: Sunrise.

From: Vampiress_Dahlia

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 99 ]

~*Dahlia smiles wickedly at Guillaume's words. Her eyes glitter with a dangerous spark.*~

"Why thank you, my dear. Let's just hope our guest tomorrow evening finds me equally appreciative. You must help me dress for the occasion..."

~*Tilting her face up slightly, she sniffs the air.*~

"The sun isn't far away, gentlemen. I can smell the heat in the air. Guillaume and I must retire...Ian, you are welcome to enjoy this time if you please. Lucky you to have that privilege."

~*Dahlia smiles and waves to Ian, taking Guillaume's hand and bidding him to follow her. Walking through the long corridor to the guestrooms and her bedroom, she stops in front of the door directly across the hall from her own. Belle had slept in the room next to her's and she could not picture anyone else lying upon that bed.*~

"Here is your room, Guillaume. I am just across the hall in case you should need anything."

~*Guillaume nods and Dahlia opens the door to reveal a large room with a deep violet and black motif. The bed had violet satin sheets with black tassels on the ends as well as black and violet throw pillows. The two nightstands, desk and bureau were deep, dark chery. There was a black leather couch in one corner so that one could relax and read if they chose and a en suite bathroom adjoining the room. Guillaume's personal belongings had already been deposited neatly by the bureau by Briant.*~

"I hope this will be sufficient for you. Good night, Guillaume."

~*Dahlia stands up on tip toe and kisses his cheek, before turning to enter her own room.*~

***

May-25-2001 4:22 PM Message 101 of 245

Subject: Strategies [Guillaume].

From: Anborn

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 100 ]

"Most impressive," Guillaume whispers after closing the door to his suite. He stands with his hand still on the doorknob, considering Dahlia's parting statements. Her suggestion that he assist her with her wardrobe, and her reminder that she was "just across the hall" if he "should need anything," were mere openings, not full invitations.

Dahlia's ambiguity toward intimacy surprised him. He had prepared himself for the possibility that she would declare no interest. Her current project with the mortal girl --- not to mention their own checkered past --- could well mean that Dahlia would regard closeness to him now inappropriate.

He had considered it more probable that she would express a clear, although certainly polite and discrete, desire to share a bed with him. Kindred look for other sources of physical and emotional warmth to compensate for their proscription from ever seeing the Sun. Thus their society has not developed the taboos and mores that so inhibit many other sentient beings who inhabit both the daylight and nighttime worlds.

Furthermore, the relationship she had established with the mortal had to be affecting Dahlia. The mortal woman herself would be nearly overcome with desire by now. Dahlia had spent the evening with her, exposed to the girl's thoughts and pheromones. Dahlia's cravings --- though not as urgent as those of the poor mortal --- should be gnawing at her as well.

Dahlia's words --- "I am just across the hall in case you should need anything" --- echo through his mind as he clutches the doorknob. Guillaume also hungers. Two hundred years of nothing but the company of ephemeral mortals, although filled with many pleasures, has left him empty.

He considers crossing the hall. Little time remains before dawn, but even to simply sleep beside another Vampire would provide some satisfaction. He resists this temptation. He wants Dahlia, for the time being, to feel as lonely as he does. She has always had a compunction about denying the world of sunshine to young mortals, but her new acquaintance seemed to have made her realize that there are times when the needs of Kindred entirely supercede the consideration of mere mortals. Guillaume wants to leave Dahlia's hunger at a fever pitch so that she will not reverse her plans to take on a "pupil." The time has come to reassert the proper place of the Kindred in the world.

That thought endows him with the willpower to turn away from the door, change into black silk pajamas, and recline, alone, upon the bed.

***

May-25-2001 2:31 PM Message 102 of 245

Subject: Hopeless Romantic

From: Iethro_Tullius

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 100 ]

After taking his leave of Dahlia's manor, Ian walks the forest, crossing the miles as only one such as he can.

He soon finds the shore of a particular lake, and drawn by curiosity, and a touch of mercy, makes his way to a specific house.

He stands below Belle's window and senses her Soul. He sighs and nods in recognition. He understands.

As he walks away, he pulls a lute from his haversack. Vanishing among the trees, he plays a song he learned under very different circumstances, but which seems to apply as befittingly now.

~~~

In the half-tone light of a young morning

she sighs and shifts on the pillow.

And across her face dancing, the first shadows fly

to kiss the Pussy Willow.

In her fairy-tale world she's a lost soul singing

in a sad voice nobody hears.

She waits in her castle of make-believing

for her white knight to appear.

Pussy Willow --- down fur-lined avenue

brushing the sleep from her young woman eyes.

Runs for the train --- see, eight o'clock's coming

cutting dreams down to size again.

Pussy Willow --- down fur-lined avenue

brushing the sleep from her young woman eyes.

Runs from the train. Hear her typewriter humming

cutting dreams down to size again.

She longs for the East and a pale dress flowing

an apartment in old Mayfair.

Or to fish the Spey, spinning the first run of Spring

or to die for a cause somewhere.

Pussy Willow --- down fur-lined avenue

brushing the sleep from her young woman eyes.

Runs from the train. Hear her typewriter humming

cutting dreams down to size again.

~~~

***