Jun-17-2002 8:34 AM Message 373 of 529

Subject: Silence

From: Orah

Reply to: Orah [ Message 342 ]

She could see her Mistress in the hallway, and could tell something was wrong. The Selkie went as silent as she could get and listened. There was no sound coming form behind the door that her Mistress had been knocking on, and earlier, she knew, the girl she had first met, the red-haired girl, had left the room. For some reason, this seemed to distress her Mistress, although the Selkie had been quite a bit relieved to see that the girl was "recovering" a bit. Her aura had still been rather ugly, but she was up and walking around, so she would be fine, wouldn't she? But the Witch in the room, the one who wouldn't answer her door, had something happened to her? What could have? No one had gone in or out of that room, had they? She didn't think so, but this place was full of magic and the Selkie wasn't entirely sure what these people could or could not do. As the minutes ticked by, her Mistress was looking more and more upset, and the Selkie was unable to hold back a small distressed whimper.

The spell in front of her vibrated.

The Selkie blinked at it, surprised. Why had it done that? What could have happened, if all of the force she had exerted earlier had only made it stronger? Why would it vibrate to the smallest shoud she had ever made? The Selkie reached back, far back, drawing deeply on the oldest instincts she had, the ancient collected knowledge of magic in the race-memories of all things that walked the land from the times when they all had swam the seas. Memories from before the separation of bloods that had created the three kinds of beings present in the Manor, from before the separation of their respective magics. There was a glimmer of hope, a way to break the spell that had been put on the room. If she didn't exhaust herself to the point of death using it, she would be freed.

Drawing slowly on the powers of cloud, the Selkie began to weave a net of absolute stillness in the room.

Everything around her went absolutely silent.

***

Jun-17-2002 8:44 AM Message 374 of 529

Subject: Crossroads [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 370 ]

"We should retire Guillaume, that is a good idea," Narcissa agrees with his suggestion that they end the evening's festivities. "I still have more questions to ask."

She stands and turns to their hostess and her companion. "Dahlia, Belladonna, I bid you a good evening." Narcissa takes a step toward the stairs but hesitates as Guillaume does not immediately rise. He had planned to leave the parlor by a different doorway, the one in which Shannon stands momentarily unnoticed by the other Kindred.

Guillaume rises and crooks his elbow, offering Narcissa his arm. He decides that they should proceed directly to their suite after all. Shannon will certainly follow them there.

Narcissa slips her hand around his forearm, but before they can leave, every head in the room suddenly turns at the sound of footsteps coming into the parlor from the foyer. A young, blond witch stops in her tracks, just as she enters the parlor.

"I... I just came in for a book I saw earlier" she claims in obvious insincerity. "I am sorry if I have...." Her voice falters and the four vampires' eyes turn to follow the witch's gaze to the other end of the room. Shannon still stands there, staring at Guillaume with unmistakable intent.

Guillaume sighs. Everything seems so complicated suddenly.

"Perhaps we should postpone bedtime for a bit, my dear," he suggests to Narcissa. "I believe there are a couple matters here that need to be settled."

***

Jun-17-2002 12:02 PM Message 375 of 529

Subject: Sticking around

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 374 ]

::She takes his arm and starts to accompany him upstairs when he suddenly stops. A new voice fills the room and both of their attentions are drawn to her. Ah! One of the witches...she remembers her from the other night in the kitchen. As Guillaume guides her back to the main room, her gaze follows the witch, who seems unsettled.::

"Stardust right? Good evening...we met a few nights ago...in the kitchen...do you remember?"

::She smiles softly at the woman as not to unravel any more nerves, knowing full well her state of mind a few days ago, compared to now. She wonders why exactly the woman came down here...believing the book was only an excuse to come down. As she follows the woman, the appearance of Shannon remains in the shadows, but visible to all of them. Guillaume's attentions are drawn to this woman, and a territorial feeling washes over her. She locks her arm tighter with his as they move back to the couch, but is oddly curious about this woman. She whispers quietly in Guillaume's ear.::

"So who is the young waif who can't seem to take her eyes off of you?"

::As she finishes her sentence, a low growl escapes her lips proving to him that she is not willing to share his affections.::

Jun-17-2002 2:29 PM Message 376 of 529

Subject: Familar Face

From: azzizs

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 375 ]

The female vampire talks to Star, "Stardust right? Good evening...we met a few nights ago...in the kitchen...do you remember?"

Realization dawns on Star, this is the young woman from the kitchen. The young woman whose fate was already sealed, just like the girl in the doorway.

"Yes...yes, I remember you. I see you have found the answer to your questions." Star states with a touch of sadness in her voice. She cannot quite meet the girls eyes at her failure to prevent the transformation. Not that she seemed to mind. It appears that she has taken to her new existance easier than her old one.

Star cannont help but notice that the girl in the doorway is staring intently at the gentleman vampire. Her eyes practically boring holes in him. Is he responsible for all these young women showing up at the mansion? Perhaps even the strange woman they have had to contain for her own safety?

She turns her attention to the woman on the couch. "Mistress Deliah, I wanted to thank you for offering me and my sisters sanctuary in your home..."

***

Jun-17-2002 4:50 PM Message 377 of 529

Subject: RE: Meta-Seasonal Inspiration

From: alexis_lee

Reply to: Iethro_Tullius [ Message 24 ]

*follows quietly*

***

Jun-18-2002 8:12 AM Message 378 of 529

Subject: Lean Cuisine [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 375 ]

"So who is the young waif who can't seem to take her eyes off of you?" Narcissa manages to whisper in Guillaume's ear, even as she continues exchanging pleasantries with the witch named Stardust.

Guillaume waits until Stardust turns her attention to Dahlia, and smiles slightly when the witch mispronounces their hostess' name. Then Guillaume again regards Shannon, who has taken a few halting steps toward him.

"That, my dear," Guillaume begins as he glances down at Narcissa, a vicious grin exposing his long fangs. "That is a the remains of an unfinished meal. Think of her as 'leftovers.'"

His gaze returns to Shannon even as he continues speaking to Narcissa. "Tell me, Darling, do you object to having leftovers for a late night snack?"

***

Jun-18-2002 11:53 AM Message 379 of 529

Subject: Superior ignorance.

From: Vampiress_Dahlia

Reply to: azzizs [ Message 376 ]

~*Dahlia sighed and rubbed her temples as Guillaume and Belle decided the fates of two young human girls. She didn't open her mouth throughout Belle's angst, Narcissa's obvious arrogance in her newfound power, Guillaume's natural chauvinism and cocky demeanor, and the mispronunction of her name by the new and polite Stardust.*~

~*Sometimes silence was the best weapon a person could have. For if you speak to much, then your words become cheapened. Of course even if Dahlia spoke unceasingly for all of her waking hours, she'd never be ignored. This was her home, her territory. She was older than every single creature here by at least a good few hundred years....and it was time they all remembered it.*~

*~Dahlia stood abruptly and looked wearily in the direction of Stardust.*~

"It's nothing, my dear. I can assure you that this old pile of brick and lumber has seen many new faces over the years, and yours will not be the last."

~*She looked in the direction of Belle...and smiled.*~

"Good show, darling. I was wondering how much longer you'd let the pup push you around."

~*She turned her gaze on Guillaume and Narcissa, and spoke first to the former. Her voice was stony and perhaps a few degrees too chilly.*~

"I've no doubt that you have taken many Chylder in over the years, Guillaume. You are an aged, wise vampire. A proud example of our kind. But do not think so much of yourself that taking not one, but three Chyldren will take no more effort than fastening your trousers."

~*Dahlia heard Belle snicker, and grinned as well. Her lover had done well. She had known her own strength, and declined a Chylde that she was not ready for. Not only that, but she'd withstood a blatant undermining from not only an elder vampire, but a over-confident pup! She turned her attention on the girl practically humping Guillaume's hand now...*~

"I don't think I need to warn you about trying to outclass my Belle again. She's already put that prospect in full perspective, I believe. But I will, however, warn you not to grow so confident of your own powers that you begin to think yourself Mistress of this manor. That title, my dear, resides souly on my shoulders...and would take more than you to remove it."

~*Dahlia settled for glaring at a quickly paling Narcissa before walking slowly across the room.*~

"I'm going for a walk."

~*She saw Belle start forward and warded her off with a quick movement of her hand.*~

"Alone."

~*She started towards the door again and stepped into the threshold before turning back to her guests.*~

"Oh, and tell the witches not to make too much of a mess of the guestrooms, please?"

~*And with that, she stepped out into the cool night for a much needed 'time out'.*~

***

Jun-18-2002 11:54 AM Message 380 of 529

Subject: Retiring for the night

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 378 ]

::She sits up readily at his words of a late night snack, but retreats her haste as the doe eyed girl merely stands there like a zombie. She rises and moves around the backside of Guillaume brushing her fingertips around his chest, his shoulders, and eventually down his back as she wraps her arms around him. She stands on her tip toes and whispers in his ear.::

"I'm not terribly hungry darling, why don't you finish what you started."

::Her statement about hunger is a lie, as she is ravenous to tear into the girls throat. Perhaps it is the presence of all the vampires that keeps her able to control herself, their essences being calming and much more experienced. She also knows there is something more between this girl and Guillaume then what meets the eye. She hasn't taken her eyes off him even to look at the other women around. This is a feeding she can do without.::

"I'll be in our room when you're done."

::Without another word, she nods to everyone present and makes a slow deliberate climb up the stairs. She can ask him questions when he's done. She's even hoping that perhaps Belle will come up to keep her company. She gives a glance to Belle as if to invite her up. Her motives are only friendly in nature, although she's not sure how Belle will take the acknowledgment.::

***

Jun-18-2002 12:41 PM Message 381 of 529

Subject: Stopped dead in her tracks

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 380 ]

::As she makes her way up, she is surprised to hear Dahlia speak up after all this time. She figured Dahlia was planning on keeping to herself as the coversations drove by. But little did she know what was coming to her. As Dahlia made her rounds of comments, the tongue lashing she recieved made her skin pale and her knees weak with fear. She nearly tumbled back down the stairs as Dahlia lashed her up one side and down the other. 'Mistress of the house!' she thought. She would never even want that position let alone try to take it from Dahlia! Her expression says it all as Dahlia walks off towards the door. She is embarrassed and defeated by the elder vampires harsh words. She continues up the stairs, not even glancing to anyone else, but this time at a rapid rate. Tears fill her eyes, but they go unseen by anyone else. What appetite she did have is now gone as she has been promptly put in her place...but that only fuels her anarchism.::

***

Jun-18-2002 2:41 PM Message 382 of 529

Subject: Second Thoughts [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: goddessT [ Message 369 ]

"Yes," Tricia purrs in response to Laura's suggestion that they turn in for the evening. "Bed would be a good idea."

Laura cannot help notice the inflection Tricia places on the word "bed." She has suspected for several days that Tricia might be looking to share something more intimate than mere friendship. Now, the look in Tricia's eyes, almost predatory, has Laura convinced of Tricia's desires and intent.

Twice earlier today, while still uncertain of Tricia's romantic interest, Laura had found herself tempted by thoughts of surrender to Tricia, as an alternative and potentially more satisfying source of relief from her own sexual frustrations. Now, facing the opportunity to actually do so, Laura becomes frightened by the prospect, unwilling to cross the emotional and personal boundary such an act would require.

Realizing she has unconsciously backed away from Tricia, Laura stops, and forces herself to meet Tricia's torrid gaze.

"Okay," her voice cracks, and she swallows before continuing. "I'll keep Belle's room. You can have the master bedroom again tonight. And since I had a shower this afternoon, I won't even be bothering you again with another of my late night baths."

***

Jun-19-2002 7:49 AM Message 383 of 529

Subject: Leftovers [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 380 ]

Guillaume is so deep in delightful thoughts anticipating sharing Shannon's blood with Narcissa, that he is at first unaware of the tempers flaring around him. Before he realizes what is happening, Dahlia has made her accusations and stormed off, and Narcissa has retired before Dahlia's wrath and fled to their suite upstairs, all before Guillaume has had the opportunity to speak in Narcissa's defense.

He considers offering Shannon to Belladonna, as a gesture of reciprocation for allowing him to take possession of her mortal friend Laura, whom Belladonna unknowingly infused with her vampiric essence. But Guillaume realizes he has already strained Dahlia's patience, and decides it is best to avoid doing anything that the ancient Vampiress may construe as trespass upon her Chylde.

He cannot take Shannon to his suite. Narcissa made it clear she has no interest in feeding tonight. He decides to go outside. Shannon will surely follow. He can then feed upon her in privacy there; or, if he should happen to come across Dahlia, offer the share the young girl's blood as a gesture of conciliation, as well as gratitude for her continuing hospitality.

***

Jun-19-2002 12:13 PM Message 384 of 529

Subject: Reaching Out [Stardust]

From: azzizs

Reply to: cyberian_belle [ Message 1 ]

Stardust watches as the young woman follows Guillaume out of the manor. A sense of helplessness overwhelms her and she goes to sit on the now vacant couch. She then realizes that she and the woman...vampire by the fire are now alone in the room. She is still standing by the fire, but now looking towards the door where the Mistress of the manor had left. Belle she had called her. Star wondered if that was her name or a pet name Dahlia had for her.

Star looks at her, she looks more pensive than upset now, "Is there anything I can help with?" She pauses then smiles, "Well, except for that whole dinner, becoming a creature of the night thing..."

***

Jun-19-2002 1:11 PM Message 385 of 529

Subject: Music Hath Charms....

From: Iethro_Tullius

Reply to: Vampiress_Dahlia [ Message 379 ]

The rise of angry voices causes Ian to look up from his corner, where he has been quietly strumming his mandolin. The tiff subsides even more quickly than it arose, with most of the combatants withdrawing from the parlor, leaving only the young witch, and even younger vampiress. Still, the momentary strife has influenced Ian. He pulls his flute from its case, and after an introductory martial flourish, begins to sing.

~~~

Shout if you will,

But that just won't do.

I, for one, would rather

Follow softer options.

I'll take the easy line;

Another sip of wine,

And if I ignore

The face you wore

It's just a way of mine

To keep from flying colours.

Don't lay your bait

While the whole world waits

Around to see me

Shoot you down ---

It's all so second-rate.

When we can last for days

On a loving night;

Or for hours at least

On a warm whisper given.

You always pick the best time

To rise to the fight.

To break the hard bargain

That we've driven.

Once again we're flying colours.

I thought we had it

Out the night before,

And settled old scores,

But not the hard way.

Was it a glass too much?

Or a smile too few?

Did our friends all catch

The needle match ---

Did we want them to?

In a fancy restaurant

We were all aglow

keeping cool by mutual permission.

How did the conversation get

To where we came to blows?

We were set up in a red condition

And again we're flying colours.

Shout --- but you see

It still won't do.

With my colours on

I can be just as bad as you.

Have I had a glass too much?

Did I give a smile too few?

Did our friends all catch

The needle match ---

Did we want them to?

We act our parts so well,

Like we wrote the play.

All so predictable

And we know it.

We'll settle old scores now,

And settle the hard way.

You may not even live

To outgrow it!

Once again we're flying colours.

~~~

***

Jun-19-2002 1:12 PM Message 386 of 529

Subject: Quiet moments

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: azzizs [ Message 384 ]

::She shuts the door and leans against hit taking a deep breath. She wondered why Dahlia had said such harsh words to her, when she barely even spoke to her. She regains her composure and moves to the window briskly. Dahlia's words keep going through her mind over and over. She wouldn't expect Guillaume to sass back to Dahlia, or even defend her. Her attitude towards Belle was deliberate and she knew it. She shoves the curtains open and sits on the windowsill peering out. She sees movement outside, but cares little about it. She starts to ponder her fate in this manorhouse and wonders if converting to vampirsm was a big mistake. Her sadness deepens as she hopes for daylight soon to rid herself of the last few hours of this night. But her sadness quickly turns to frustration and rises to anger.

Guillaume had brought her into this life hoping to revitalize the vampires. How could she possibly do it when those who embrace her remain so passive in their existance?? She starts to undress, at first slowly taking off her shoes as her thoughts continue. How can she possibly light a fire under these people if they wish to remain in the dark?? As the questions continue, she finds herself tearing at her clothes, shredding them and leaving them in a trail behind her as she makes her way to the bathroom. She tears at the last shred of clothing as well as her own flesh in disgust.

She starts a boiling hot bath, not even bothering to turn on the cold water as she waits for the tub to fill. She crosses one leg over the other plotting her next move, which she will obviously do alone. She thinks of Guillaume and sighs. Her thoughts race again, wondering the history and fate of the doe eyed girl who sought his attention so relentlessly again. The tub has now filled and the water is practically bubbling it is so hot.

She traces her fingertips along the top of the water and winces as it burns. She clenches her jaw and drops down into the boiling water. Her screams are muffled by the old thick walls of the manor, and her skin is seared. After tense moments of dealing with the burns, she settles into the steaming bathwater and closes her eyes. A long sigh escapes her lips as if to admit defeat. But there is hardly defeat left in her system. As the water cools, so does her temper and a fire from within again rises. She speaks out loud to herself, as she always did her best thinking in the tub.::

"There's got to be a way to get these people motivated. There's got to be a way to get them out exploring. Dahlia must be bored hanging around this place."

::She sighs again and lets the water caress her newfound senses as well as letting the sounds of the house fill her ears. Soon Guillaume will be back in, but she won't know what to say in lieu of Dahlia's words::

***

Jun-20-2002 12:38 AM Message 387 of 529

Subject: Solace in the night.

From: Vampiress_Dahlia

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 383 ]

~*Dahlia walks quickly through the forest, unknowing as to a destination. She barely acknowledges the sounds of scurrying animals and rustling branches as she escapes the overflow of emotion throbbing from the very foundation of her own home. She can feel it behind her, the tempers, the anguish, the love and the hate...all boiling over and pulsing through the night air.*~

~*She begins to run, all of her thoughts congealed into one...escape. Freedom. Her legs move swifter than those of a deer, her vampiric muscles carrying her so fast she appears as nothing more than a blur to the racoons and owls of the night. She trips over the hem of her own gown and falls hard onto her hands and knees. The small stones sprinkling the ground dig into her palms and when she holds them up for inspection, small rivulets of blood trickle down to her wrist. She pays them no mind...*~

~*She looks around and finds herself in her very favorite part of the woods...the meadow. Her mind had unconciously driven her here, far enough away from the Kiss, so that she would not feel the pulse and throb of emotion emanating from it. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, letting the sweet, heady scent of the tall meadow grass fill her senses. This...this is her element. The crisp night air, the smell of the earth beneath her and the sky above, the sound of her fellow night creatures hunting...the scent of the blood of their prey.*~

~*She sighs and rubs her temples. She had been too harsh back at the manor. But fuck them. She needed a break. From Guillaume's cockiness and Narccisa's over-confidence. Take over the world, indeed. But she had to admit, Guillaume was sincere in his mission. He actually believed that the vampires could be restored to power. He was in for a rude awakening... For as much as humans were still the sheep they once were when vampires ruled the earth, they had advanced remarkably. They might still be stupid, and might still panic needlessly...but now when they panicked, they did so with nuclear weapons. And even if the Kindred succeeded, it would be at great loss. Even more so, most would not pick up arms and join the battle. Most, like her, preferred succlusion.*~

'Yes,' she thought. 'Give me this over battle, any day.'

***

Jun-20-2002 7:56 AM Message 388 of 529

Subject: Finding a Table [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 383 ]

Guillaume exits the mansion, crosses the clearing, and continues a short way into the trees. He sniffs the air. Dahlia had come this way, but her scent is already fading. She apparently went much deeper into the forest than Guillaume would find convenient at the moment.

He sits on a broad, flat stump and looks back toward the manor. He knows Shannon will emerge soon, automatically drawn to him by the power of his essence pervading her blood and flesh. If he must dine alone, he will make short work of it. He is anxious to return to the suite he shares with Narcissa and make sure she is not overly distressed by Dahlia's recent outburst.

Guillaume leans back, his elbows supporting him on the old, softening, wooden platform. He enjoys the feel of the balmy spring breeze through his hair, and glimpses the comforting presence of the moon through the leafy canopy overhead. He had left his centuries-old, self-imposed seclusion with some trepidation, but now he has confidence that he is on the verge of the most productive and fulfilling time of his long, dark career. He sighs in contentment at the thought of having Narcissa's companionship though it all.

***

Jun-20-2002 1:08 PM Message 389 of 529

Subject: Pyry on the Inside

From: Orah

Reply to: Orah [ Message 373 ]

She may not notice the blood running form our eyes and ears and nose, but I do. And I don't know what she's trying to but it's probably starting to kill us. This blood, this flesh, its MINE too.

What ever she's trying, it takes quiet. And she was always the one that made all the noise and explosions.

When you want silence, you want me.

NOT her, NOT us. Me.

I was the twelve year-old thief and whore, I was the one who hid in the shadows, I was the one who killed in darkness and in silence and in secret.

I was the one who got rid of the other children.

I'll do this.

I'm the one who can.

***

Jun-20-2002 4:52 PM Message 390 of 529

Subject: Dark Resignation [Belladonna]

From: cyberian_belle

Reply to: azzizs [ Message 384 ]

"Is there anything I can help with?" Stardust asks, then smiles amiably. "Well, except for that whole dinner, becoming a creature of the night thing...."

Belle turns to consider the woman. It is a remarkable thing to see, this mortal girl walking knowingly yet confidently among Belle and her Kindred. Belle had heard that a group of witches had taken up residence in a far wing of the mansion; she must be one of them.

When still mortal herself, Belle had known some Wiccans on campus. But that was merely a religion, a system of spiritual and ethical beliefs. Belle suspects this witch is a whole other breed. With her vampiric senses, Belle can feel the innate magic in the girl. The air around her reminds Belle of a summer night, just before a lightning storm. A week ago, Belle would have thought such things a fairy tale. Now, it is one of the less astounding things she has lately learned.

Belle returns the witch's smile. Belle's, however, is tinged with sad resignation. Nonetheless Belle's voice hints at proud accomplishment. "A 'creature of the night' is now all that I am; all that I now care to know.... So, while I might appreciate a little company while I wait for my mistress to return, and while I do not mean to seem rude, I must say if your proffered help... your magic... necessarily involves any connection to the daylight world, I have no use for it."

***

Jun-20-2002 5:19 PM Message 391 of 529

Subject: Starting Over [Stardust]

From: azzizs

Reply to: cyberian_belle [ Message 390 ]

Belle responds to Star, "A 'creature of the night' is now all that I am; all that I now care to know.... So, while I might appreciate a little company while I wait for my mistress to return, and while I do not mean to seem rude, I must say if your proffered help... your magic... necessarily involves any connection to the daylight world, I have no use for it."

"I am sorry, I meant no slight to you." Star smiles a bit sadly, "but, I cannot undo that which has already been done." Her mind flashes back to her failed attempt to raise her beloved Jenny from the grave...

She clears her head and returns to the task at hand. "I have usually been able to win a smile from lovely ladies who sad, however." Star smiles, this time for real. "I'm sorry, my manners are deplorable these days. My name is Stardust Valentine. Some call me a witch (said with a somber inflection), some call me a thief (said with a hint of amusement), and some call me a friend (said with a touch of softness to her voice)...

***

Jun-21-2002 8:45 AM Message 392 of 529

Subject: Frugal Gourmet [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: alexis_lee [ Message 377 ]

Guillaume watches Shannon exit the manor house. Despite his position in the dark trees, she walks directly toward him. After following him across thousands of miles of cold ocean and unfamiliar countryside, these last few hundred feet of lawn present no obstacle.

She is quite beautiful, more so than he had appreciated during their short and interrupted encounter in a dark London alley many weeks earlier. It crosses his mind that she would make a gratifying servant, just as he and Narcissa now plan for Belladonna's friends, Tricia and Laura. He realizes, however, that in fact, Shannon would in the end be more of a burden than a benefit. Shannon has gone too long with his essence in her blood, but without the relief to the resulting addiction that his company would have provided. By now, that deprivation must have driven her effectively insane. The potential pleasure he and Narcissa might derive from Shannon's body would be ruined by their constant reminder of the weakness of her mind.

Shannon stops in front of him, where he reclines across an aged, flat tree stump. Her wild eyes stare into his, her mouth slack. She teeters slightly where she stands, as though intoxicated. Despite himself, Guillaume shudders. For centuries he has enjoyed the unquestioning loyalty, even devotion, a healthy dose of vampiric essence will inspire in a human. Never before has he confronted the drastic effects of unrelieved addiction. It only confirms his decision to not make the girl his servant.

Normally, Guillaume uses his vampiric mesmerism and innate charms to seduce a potential meal. This will lull her into a sense of security and sensual surrender that allows him to pierce a jugular with his fangs and take much of his prey's blood before she realizes the mortal danger he poses. It makes feeding much easier.

No such subterfuge is necessary tonight. Weak from nearly two days without food and recurring lapses of unconsciousness, Shannon swoons upon realizing the goal of her long quest. With his predator's reflexes, Guillaume sits up and catches her, draping her limp form across the tree stump.

He regards her for a moment. Yes, she is quite lovely, and so young. It is a shame, really, that things worked out such that she might not have served him better...

...but at least she will not go entirely to waste.

He kneels next to the unconscious young woman, moves his mouth to her throat, bites, and feeds.

***

Jun-21-2002 10:07 AM Message 393 of 529

Subject: Selkie

From: Orah

Reply to: Orah [ Message 389 ]

She can feel the Human trying to grasp control again, and knows that she has to hold on, that the spell is the only important thing at this moment. And when she feels herself slipping, she cannot but hope that something will get her out of it. If she can just break the binding spell before the Human grasps control again, she can assert her donimance, and will then search for a way to be free of the Human forever. Much easier than living with her guilt and self- recriminations; her constant struggle to free herself from the Selkie, to gain control and damage any chance they had left of being safe here. The selkie slips a little more.

***

Jun-21-2002 10:11 AM Message 394 of 529

Subject: Pyry on the Inside

From: Orah

Reply to: Orah [ Message 393 ]

I can feel it, I felt that.

I'm getting somewhere, I can feel it.

She can't hold on to both. It's either me or the spell.

If the spell breaks could it kill only her and leave me?

She's slipping.

She's slipping.

we're slipping.........

***

Jun-21-2002 10:21 AM Message 395 of 529

Subject: selkie

From: Orah

Reply to: Orah [ Message 394 ]

i can't let go, not of her, she can't win

i can kill the spell

i can let it go then

i can't let her out

......is this their language............

IT HURTS.....

***

Jun-21-2002 10:25 AM Message 396 of 529

Subject: pyry on the Inside

From: Orah

Reply to: Orah [ Message 395 ]

she can't handle the pain i'm causing her pain i'm bleeding to death......

.....what is this cloud i'm in fog where is the dimness coming from.....

.......coming and going i wonder what we're doing.......

.....why........where are we.......

........why does it hurt.........

***

Jun-21-2002 10:41 AM Message 397 of 529

Subject: Each of the Two

From: Orah

Reply to: Orah [ Message 396 ]

dark

i remember

water

i remember our birth

drifting

shhhhh.........

***

Jun-21-2002 11:03 AM Message 398 of 529

Subject: Hekateros

From: Orah

Reply to: Orah [ Message 397 ]

The body of the girl is different.

Taller, slimmer, every feature pointed, sharpened.

As if she has been melted and re-formed.

Somehow softer.

Somehow stronger.

The eyes are grey, the grey of the clouds that fill the room in which she is bound. The hair is a similar grey.

The body looks at first as if it has had something burned away and then frozen and excised.

Nude and pitiably thin.

Exposure to great heat and cold, to struggle and deprivation. To madness.

The face no longer looks feral, or bitter, or hurt.

There is no danger, no fear.

There is a new innocent at the Manor. And she lies in a spreading pool of blood.

***

Jun-21-2002 1:20 PM Message 399 of 529

Subject: Meta-Seasonal Inspiration (Reprise)

From: Iethro_Tullius

Reply to: Iethro_Tullius [ Message 385 ]

As he finishes his first, bellicose tune, Ian finds the mood in the room has greatly improved. Retaining his flute, he opts now for a more joyful song.

~~~

Now is the solstice of the year.

Winter is the glad song that you hear.

Seven maids move in seven time.

Have the lads up ready in a line.

Ring out these bells.

Ring out, ring solstice bells.

Ring solstice bells.

Join together `neath the mistletoe,

By the holly oak whereon it grows.

Seven druids dance in seven time.

Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.

Ring out these bells.

Ring out, ring solstice bells.

Ring solstice bells.

Praise be to the distant sister sun,

Joyful as the silver planets run.

Seven maids move in seven time.

Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.

Ring out those bells.

Ring out, ring solstice bells.

Ring solstice bells.

Ring on, ring out.

Ring on, ring out.

~~~

***

Jun-22-2002 10:24 AM Message 400 of 529

Subject: Finding the girl

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Iethro_Tullius [ Message 399 ]

::Her bath is now finished and she dresses lightly for the rest of the night. She finds a solitary woman's silk robe hanging in the bathroom that she hadn't noticed before. She slips it on and lightly dries her hair with a soft towel. Most of her anger has now slipped away from the scalding water. Her skin, in places, has now blistered, but will heal quickly enough. She looks down at them and wonders if vampires scar from things like this, and frankly, she doesn't really care. She always thought scars to be charming. She decides to roam the upper quarters and perhaps check out the other wing. She was hoping to run into the witches now that she has been transformed and find out why they were here. Guillaume had filled her in on some of their thoughts, but still it was confusing to her. The thoughts of vampires and witches having to band together because of what is happening in the world just baffles her. After all, she was used to the chaos the world has come to...why is it so different now?

She slips out of their room and with quiet footsteps moves across a long hallways running her hands along a cool smooth wood banister. She hears a bit of activity and figures that must be where the witches are. A contemplative smile parts her lips as she happens upon the first room...there, she sees a slight woman laying on the floor. She raises her brows alarmed at what she sees. The room nearly torn apart, the door shattered into splinters and a young frail girl laying on the floor in what appears to be her own blood.

She tries to enter the room, but some invisible force pushes her back as she attempts to cross the threshold. It must be witches' magic!

That is when the scent hits her...the smell of the girls blood is overwhelming and the desire to devour every last drop of it is lustful. She bites her lip...hard...until her own blood drips out so that she may at least taste the sweet metallic liquid, even if it is her own. How sweet this one must taste, but she would dare not drink of this one, for she could be a witch as well.

She musters up the power to call for help for the girl, for she would not want this blood on her hands, although she desperately is slipping into desire for it. She shouts at the top of her lungs hoping at least Stardust downstairs will hear::

"Stardust? Aradia? Anyone? I think this girl needs some help!!"

::She can practically see the veins in this girls body pulsing to her heartbeat. Both of them will weaken soon if help doesn't arrive quickly. The girl will die from loss of blood, and she will weaken to take this girls blood -- if she can reach her -- whether it be from her veins or off the floor.::

***

Jun-21-2002 10:38 PM Message 401 of 529

Subject: Frank Introductions [Belladonna]

From: cyberian_belle

Reply to: azzizs [ Message 391 ]

"My name is Stardust Valentine," the young woman tells the younger vampiress. "Some call me a witch... Some call me a thief... And some call me a friend."

"I am now known simply as 'Belladonna,'" the vampiress replies. Her smile, while sincere, seems to betray even greater melancholy. "I know nothing of witches... not real witches, anyway. As for thieves... Well, I trust you know better than to steal from my mistress or other Kindred."

Belle's cold chuckle leaves little doubt as to the fate awaiting any mortal -- witch or not -- unwise enough to so offend the Kindred.

"And when it comes to friendship...." Belle sighs, and her smile, together with any other sign of mirth, disappears from her face. "I fear that, as of late, those who call me friend have NOT found much happiness springing from that relationship."

***

Jun-21-2002 11:50 PM Message 402 of 529

Subject: RE: Frank Introductions [Stardust]

From: azzizs

Reply to: cyberian_belle [ Message 401 ]

"One does not bite the hand that feeds them...er, sorry, bad analogy." Star's smile is a bit wry. "My sisters and I have been offered sanctuary here. I would not disrespect that by resorting to theivery. I do have some manners." She grins. "And the thievery that I have generally been accused of, has been of another nature." She pauses. "But sadly to say, I have been lacking a bit in the friend department these days myself. But you look like you could use a friend, and it doesn't take any special powers to see that..."

***

Jun-24-2002 7:08 AM Message 403 of 529

Subject: Truant [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 392 ]

Upon returning to his suite, Guillaume is surprised to find Narcissa not there. He steps back into the hallway, and inhales deeply through his nose. Her scent is freshest from the direction of the far wing of the mansion, where the witches now reside.

Guillaume's surprise and curiosity increase when he realizes the same air currents carry a second aroma -- that of recently spilt, not-quite-human, blood!

***

Jun-24-2002 9:07 AM Message 404 of 529

Subject: Looking for help

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 403 ]

::She realizes that no one can hear her calls for help, obviously, as no one seems to be running down the hall. The long cold hallways and thick walls seem to block anyone's voice who would call out needing assistance, which, for the sake of their kind, is actually a good thing. She looks at the girl again and reaches to the doorway once again. It's as if she is touching glass and figures the witches must have done this and for a good reason. Although that reason does seem very feasable for this dying young woman right now. She cinches her robe and goes back down the hallways from which she came, the silk robe billowing behind her legs, to find Stardust downstairs. As she turns a corner, she nearly rams Guillaume head on. She seems a bit startled, half because she did not see him, and half because she had left on her own. She knows what happened to Belle when she left on her own, but these circumstances were different.::

"Guillaume! I'm glad to see you. There is a girl in that room that's bleeding from the head. There is some kind of spell on the door and I think we need to get Stardust to help her."

::She inhales deeply and smells the scent of Shannon's blood on him. He seems relaxed...more relaxed by the girls blood then should could do for him by fulfilling his sexual desires. But that thought does not bother her as they live more for blood then sex anyways. The scent however is intoxicating...the smell of Pyry's blood mixed with the blood of Shannon is overpowering and causes her to let out an inescapable moan. It is getting late and she knows when this is said and done, she will not have any time to fill her craving for the night.::

"I think this girl is gonna die if we don't get one of the witches up here."

***

Jun-25-2002 12:12 AM Message 405 of 529

Subject: Do Opposites Really Attract? [Belladonna]

From: cyberian_belle

Reply to: azzizs [ Message 402 ]

"I have been lacking a bit in the friend department these days myself," Star confesses. "But you look like you could use a friend, and it doesn't take any special powers to see that..."

"Really?" Belle responds. "I was just thinking that Dahlia's love is all I really need.... But, I'll admit, now that I think about it, she is more than just a friend, so I suppose you're right that I could also use a simple friend just now."

Belle shakes her head, then continues, her voice now hoarse, almost a whisper. "So what do you say, witch? Can you call 'friend' someone who must drink human blood just to live?"

***

Jun-25-2002 4:29 PM Message 406 of 529

Subject: Taken Aback [Stardust]

From: azzizs

Reply to: cyberian_belle [ Message 405 ]

Belle shakes her head, then continues, her voice now hoarse, almost a whisper. "So what do you say, witch? Can you call 'friend' someone who must drink human blood just to live?" s

Stardust is momentarily thrown for a minute. She hadn't stopped to contemplate the ramifications of reaching out to this woman. In a measured voice, she speaks, "I guess that would depend. Can you befriend someone who doesn't share your dependance? Do you still value life?" She pauses, then speaks again, "There are no strings here Belle. When I came in the room I saw a woman in pain, and...and I understand pain all too well. So if you need or want a friend, I'm here. It's really as simple as that."

***

Jun-26-2002 7:29 AM Message 407 of 529

Subject: Noninterference [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 404 ]

"I think this girl is gonna die if we don't get one of the witches up here," Narcissa says as she leads Guillaume to the entrance of a guest suite. A woman lays in a pool of blood inside. Guillaume sees immediately that she is not quite human.

Guillaume scowls at the shattered doorway. He reaches out and his hand presses the invisible barrier, which he explores briefly, reminding Narcissa ever so slightly of a mime doing the glass box routine.

"So, she may die. What is that to us?" Guillaume asks rhetorically. "She is obviously the witches' project. One of the reasons the Kindred and the witch-folk have successfully coexisted through the centuries is that we do not interfere in each others' affairs."

***

Jun-26-2002 7:50 AM Message 408 of 529

Subject: Astonished

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 407 ]

::She watches with a bit of anticipation thinking he should move a little faster then how he's moving now. Her senses certainly aren't as tuned in as his, so she does not sense any abnormalities with the woman like he does. She understands not getting involved, but she is a bit shocked by his non-chalance about the girl.::

"Guillaume...we should at least tell Stardust about the girl. We can't just walk away and let her die without telling anyone. After all, vampires and witches have to stick together...right?"

::She notes his look, his gaze piercing hers as if he is completely bored with this subject all together. His attitude towards this woman bothers her, perhaps because she is so new to being a vampire, and her human feelings have not quite worn away yet. The predator in her is worn away and for some reason, now, she feels an even stronger feeling to help this poor woman.::

"Fine Guillaume...we don't have to help this girl, but I'm going downstairs to tell Stardust."

::With that, she gathers her robe again and slips past him like an impudent child and slips down a few stairs that lead to where Belle and Stardust are softly speaking. She raises her voice, but tries not to scare either of them with the sudden interruption. She clears her throat to gain their attention that she is halfway down the staircase.::

"Stardust...sorry to interrupt...but the young woman in a room in your wing has collapsed on the floor and is bleeding from the head. I think she needs help right away."

::She obviously knows nothing about the young woman, but actually feels a sense of self satisfaction for announcing and trying to get help for the selkie. With that, knowing Guillaume will probably be displeased with her actions, she leaves the rest of the helping to Stardust and slowly trods back up the stairs where she faces a now glaring Guillaume. She figures he surely can't be that mad, as she did a good thing.::

***

Jun-26-2002 11:53 PM Message 409 of 529

Subject: Comparative Values [Belladonna]

From: cyberian_belle

Reply to: azzizs [ Message 406 ]

"Do you still value life?" Stardust asks. Belle is suddenly so consumed by her uncertainty of the answer to that question that she barely notices the kind offer that follows. "There are no strings here Belle. When I came in the room I saw a woman in pain, and... and I understand pain all too well. So if you need or want a friend, I'm here. It's really as simple as that."

Before Belle can address either the question or the offer, a voice intrudes from the stairway. "Stardust... sorry to interrupt," Narcissa calls. "But the young woman in a room in your wing has collapsed on the floor and is bleeding from the head. I think she needs help right away."

Belle sighs and smiles sadly at how she figures in the comparison. She hears it in Narcissa's voice. Narcissa, who has been a vampire just a few days less than Belle, clearly still values human life.

***

Jun-27-2002 7:33 AM Message 410 of 529

Subject: Nonintervention [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 408 ]

Guillaume waits at the top of the stairs, his arms crossed across his broad chest, as Narcissa returns.

"Our numbers are still too few to be unnecessarily calling attention to ourselves," he scolds. "While I'm sure there's no harm here, you should develop the habit of not involving yourself in others' affairs.... Or, at least, take counsel with me before acting rashly!"

He regards her for a moment, his gaze still sharp. Then he growls, "Come. I think it's time I took you to bed."

***

Jun-27-2002 12:19 PM Message 411 of 529

Subject: Time for bed indeed

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 410 ]

::She stands before him staring back in amazement that he would disregard the young girl so easily, but how quickly it slipped from her mind how old he was and how young she is. She thinks of this for a moment and sighs and figures he must know what's best for them, otherwise he would have been dead long ago himself. But something clicks in her...this side of him...this angry side of him...it appeals to her. He seems even darker now and the small bit of anger that did rise in him is quite sexy. She remembers when he first bit into her, how he growled out in passion and how badly it turned her on. Her look of amazement turns into a wild grin as she approaches him. He leads her back towards their room, but she stands next to the doorway, against the wall in the hall before entering. As they both stop, she starts to unknot her sash around her waist still grinning wildly to him. She slips before him in the doorway slightly opening the robe so that he may slip his hands down her body.::

"Guillaume, I think your anger is more than sexy my love. Perhaps I should keep pissing you off."

::She laughs as the robe now slips off her shoulders revealing her body now only outlined by the silken robe. Should anyone decide to take a stroll down their hall, they would see the same thing. She is not sure how to read him now that she is giving such a display, but is actually hoping to steer him away from any vampire etiquette lectures. This display of diversion shows him a definate path of behavior for her.::

***

Jun-27-2002 1:19 PM Message 412 of 529

Subject: Bad Timing [Stardust]

From: azzizs

Reply to: cyberian_belle [ Message 409 ]

"Stardust... sorry to interrupt," Narcissa calls. "But the young woman in a room in your wing has collapsed on the floor and is bleeding from the head. I think she needs help right away."

Narcissa's voice shocks Stardust back to the reality before her. Damn, damn, damn... she thinks inwardly. To Belle she casts a apologetic smile, "I'm sorry, I have to take care of this." Her voice is tired, as is the young witch from the past few days events. "Think about my offer Belle, I meant what I said."

She turns and runs up stairs to see what is happening.

***

Jun-28-2002 7:53 AM Message 413 of 529

Subject: Passions [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 411 ]

Guillaume's broad grin appears more predatory than passionate as he takes a moment to enjoy the emergence of Narcissa's body from under her robes. Then he steps forward suddenly and lifts her in his arms, cradling her, and carrying her across the threshold of their suite. He slams the door shut behind them.

He almost casually carries her across the room, reminding her that the weight of her body is nothing to his vampiric strength. Nevertheless, when they reach the bed, he does not set her down gently, but instead drops her onto the mattress. She bounces once before coming to rest, sprawled before him across the covers.

Locking his gaze into Narcissa's, Guillaume begins to undress, slowly and deliberately. She sees the love in his eyes, and the passion. But it is tinged with his lingering anger.

Narcissa knows that she is in no real danger. Nonetheless, her breath grows quick and ragged as she realizes Guillaume's remaining anger will add a new dimension to this evening's lovemaking.

***

Jun-28-2002 1:01 PM Message 414 of 529

Subject: Tribute to a Fallen Comrade

From: Iethro_Tullius

Reply to: Iethro_Tullius [ Message 399 ]

Although Ian's kind are eternal, their manifestations can be ephemeral. Somehow, across the ether, Ian comes to understand that another great bard has been lost to this world.

Focused on their own concerns, the others in the parlor do not notice when Ian slumps back on his stool and sets his flute aside. Ian's nostalgic grin mitigates the sharp appearance of pain in his wet eyes. He does not so much sing, as chant, one of the other's songs.

~~~

Look, he's crawling up my wall,

Black and hairy, very small.

Now he's up above my head,

Hanging by a little thread.

Boris the Spider...

Boris the Spider.

Now he's dropped onto the floor,

Heading for the bedroom door.

Maybe he's as scared as me.

Where's he gone now? I can't see.

Boris the Spider...

Boris the Spider.

Creepy...crawly. Creepy...crawly. Creepy...creepy. Crawly...crawly. Creepy...creepy. Crawly...crawly. Creepy...creepy. Crawly...crawly.

There he is wrapped in a ball;

Doesn't seem to move at all.

Perhaps he's dead, I'll just make sure;

Pick this book up off the floor

Boris the Spider...

Boris the Spider.

Creepy...crawly. Creepy...crawly. Creepy...creepy. Crawly...crawly. Creepy...creepy. Crawly...crawly. Creepy...creepy. Crawly...crawly.

He's come to a sticky end;

Don't think he will ever mend.

Never more will he crawl 'round.

He's embedded in the ground

Boris the Spider...

Boris the Spider.

~~~

His smile now a bit brighter, Ian lifts his mandolin out of his haversack, clears his throat, and begins another song that is likewise not part of his own repertoire.

~~~

On top of the sky is a place where you go

If you've done nothing wrong,

If you've done nothing wrong;

And down in the ground is a place where you go

If you've been a bad boy,

If you've been a bad boy.

Why can't we have eternal life

And never die?

Never die.

In the place up above, you grow feather wings

And you flap round and round

with a harp, singing hymns;

And down in the ground you grow horns and a tail,

And you carry a fork,

And moan and wail

Why can't we have eternal life

And never die?

Never die.

On top of the sky is a place where you go

If you've done nothing wrong,

If you've done nothing wrong;

And down in the ground is a place where you go

If you've been a bad boy,

If you've been a bad boy.

Why can't we have eternal life

And never die?

Never die.

~~~

Ian again reaches into his pack, this time retrieving a brown glass bottle. He pulls the cork out with his teeth, then lifts the bottle toward the ceiling.

"This one's for you, Ox," Ian whispers. "I hope wherever you end up, they're ready for you!"

Tilting back his head, Ian brings the bottle to his lips and swallows several mouthfuls of whisky. He then flings the bottle across the room to smash against the back of the fireplace, igniting a plume of flame up the chimney.

***

Jun-29-2002 11:20 AM Message 415 of 529

Subject: Sweet, Sensual.............dreams[Tricia]

From: goddessT

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 382 ]

Tricia smiles wickedly as Laura says,"I'll keep Belle's room. You can have the master bedroom again tonight. And since I had a shower this afternoon, I won't even be bothering you again with another of my late night baths." Tricia sees Laura in a different light, sensing that she wants her, but fighting the urge with all her might. Tricia heads toward the stairs and says over her shoulder, "if you wish, YOU can be alone, but I am just next door, call me if you want a warm body instead of a cold bed." The statement ends with a throaty highly sexually charged laugh that makes Laura shiver.

***

Jun-29-2002 3:52 PM Message 416 of 529

Subject: Passions returned

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 413 ]

::she laughs wickedly as he picks her up and carries her across the threshold. She grips her hands around his neck and as suddenly as he scooped her up, he throws her down on the bed. She is a bit surprised at the force in which she is thrown, but laughs anyways at his playfulness. She keeps the robe on and props up on her knees at first, then down on her hands....she grins like a predatory cat at him as he disrobes as well. She says nothing to him and keeps all questions at bay until the following night as it seems the rest of this evening will be spent in his embrace. She can feel that he is still miffed about her attitude towards his authority, but she knows that will fade as passion takes over. She laughs again and by this time he has disrobed and decided to take charge of her once and for all this evening.

She rises to her knees again and moans putting both hands in her hair and smiling to him, a teasing smile to match her moan. He knows what she wants, and that this display is only to match the fury in which he is about to take her. He sweetly leans down pressing his lips against her and placing one hand at her jaw while the other strokes her back. But the sweet soft kiss turns into a hard pressing kissing forcing her back as he hand grips her throat in strangulation. She opens her eyes in surprise but is quickly sated by his own intense gaze.

This position and kiss is to definately inform her of her position in this house and without words, his mind speaks to her. 'You are MY chylde.' His words are commanding and domineering, and working her into a frenzy. He has now taken complete control of her as he has already managed to part her legs and order her mind into submission. She had forgotten how powerful he truly is, as her own attitude toward the vampire brood had taken on a life of its own.

The level of passion that came from his anger and determination to put her back in her place is now taking them to a new plateau of ecstacy. He thrusts against her with such force she feels as if he is determined to leave her bruised, but his anger only excites her more. She arches her back hard as both of his hands have now moved to her wrists preventing her from touching him. He is animal now. And she is his slave to it all.

She feels his lips press against the flesh of her neck and in his own frenzy, much like hers on the rock, he locks down on her flesh, tearing at it like a beast tearing into its prey. She lets out a scream, but it's not in pain, only in pleasure. Just as quickly as he tears at her throat, it is healed by his saliva and he continues to thrust deep into her. The urges to reach to him, to claw at him, and to touch him, go unfounded as he continues to hold her down.

Her moans turn to frantic pants as they continue their dance. Never has she had such a lover, and at this point, she has no desire for anyone else. She has given in to his mind, and the bond between them only grows deeper.::

***

Jul-1-2002 8:04 AM Message 417 of 529

Subject: A Moment of Healing [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 416 ]

When it is over -- at least for the moment -- Guillaume lays next to Narcissa on his side, facing her, his head propped up on his hand. She lays on her back on the mattress, still gasping from the aftereffects of their passion.

He watches as she heals. The remnants of the wound on her throat turn from pink scar to unblemished skin. The deep bruises on her shoulders and breasts fade. After spending his mortal youth on human battlefields, and watching men die of every conceivable injury, the regenerative power of he and his Kindred never ceases to fascinate him.

Narcissa's eyes open and she turns her head to grin at him. Despite his recent anger, he cannot help but match her smile. Once they reached their bedchamber, her surrender to him was natural, sincere and complete. He knows that if she will only show similar submission to his prerogative in all aspects of her vampiric apprenticeship, they can remain secure and happy while her own powers develop, and they will, in fact, do very well together indeed.

***

Jul-1-2002 10:52 AM Message 418 of 529

Subject: Recognition

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 417 ]

::She turns her head to grin at him having let her body rest to rejuvenate. The bruises have now left her fair skin and she takes a special liking to him watching her lay there for a moment. He matches her grin and she knows his anger has now been resolved. She knew it wouldn't take long and quite actually liked the fact that he would seize the moment sexually and take it out on her. She was submissive and able to allow him to take complete control...it allowed him to do whatever he wanted to her, and she liked that. For once, she liked the fact that someone was controlling her destiny, even if was just in the bed. She flips back her curls and allows her gaze to travel down the length of his body as well, before shyly traveling back up to his gaze.::

"You look like you wish to say something Guillaume...is anything on your mind?"

::She sits up and lets the robe slide off her arms before removing it from the bed. She merely lets it slip to the floor and retakes her position on the bed facing him.::

***

Jul-2-2002 8:06 AM Message 419 of 529

Subject: Nostalgia [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 418 ]

"You look like you wish to say something Guillaume," Narcissa suggests. "Is anything on your mind?"

"Perhaps," the vampire responds slowly, as his gaze feasts upon her beautiful face and perfect body. After the sudden violence of their earlier lovemaking, Guillaume seems now content to take things a bit more complaisantly. "Or perhaps you were sensing my thoughts. Telepathy varies greatly among our kind, and you may already be feeling the first inkling of yours. I thought I felt a hint of it before. Didn't you? I hope so. Sometimes when two Kindred are especially attuned to each other, each can actually come to feel what the other feels. So, when they make love, each experiences not only their own, but also the other's pleasure, reverberating between them into an ever rising spiral of ecstacy."

Guillaume appears momentarily lost in a daydream, then he blinks and focuses back on Narcissa. "But your powers are too new to yet consider such things," he explains. "Which brings us to the subject I originally had in mind. It is vital that you remember -- until you become adept at not only your growing immortal abilities, but also with Kindred mores -- that you should seek my guidance and, indeed, permission before taking any independent actions that involve other Kindred, or even mortals."

Guillaume sighs, and she can see that his eyes gaze back across centuries before he continues. "You know, there was a time when a vampire Chylde was expected to treat her Sire much as a human apprentice treated the master tradesman under whom it studied. That fell out of fashion around the time of the French Revolution." An expression of painful regret washes over Guillaume's countenance, then he concludes. "I have often thought it might have been better if that tradition -- I mean of a Chylde considering her Sire as her 'master' -- had continued."

***

Jul-2-2002 11:58 AM Message 420 of 529

Subject: At time long past

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 419 ]

::She rolls over and places her arm across his chest while laying her head on his shoulder. She lays light kisses on his cheek while her fingers play with his hair::

"Telepathy eh?"

::She chuckles thinking that to be a pretty cool trait that she will possess over time, but wishes she could be better at it now. She listens to him continue on, but her interest is caught when he mentions the French Revolution. To him it probably seemed like only yesterday, but for her, it was a time that never existed. He must think her naive compared to his memories and experiences, but she is well skilled in the modern world...something he needs. She does however raise a brow when he seems suddenly saddened by his own words. She props up on one elbows and pulls the covers up over the both of them.::

"You have had many lovers like me Guillaume. Would you rather me treat you as my master?"

::She lays back again, this time on her back folding her hands under her head.::

"By the tone of your voice it sounds like that never worked out for you anyways. Care to tell me more?"

***

Jul-3-2002 7:54 AM Message 421 of 529

Subject: Spare the Rod... [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 420 ]

"You have had many lovers like me, Guillaume," Narcissa presumes. "Would you rather I treat you as my master?" She lays back on the mattress, her fingers intertwined behind her head. Her brow furrows slightly as she reflects on her own offer. "By the tone of your voice it sounds like that never worked out for you anyways. Care to tell me more?"

Guillaume returns to lying on his side, facing her, his head again propped up on his right hand. He begins to stroke her body under the covers with his left hand, caressing all over, but lingering upon her breasts, hips and other more erogenous areas.

"Actually," Guillaume's explanation begins. "I have had very few lovers from among the Kindred, and certainly none as enjoyable in bed -- or anywhere else, for that matter -- as you are, my Darling. Most of my companions have been mortal women, under the influence, to one degree or another, of my essence. So I am quite accustomed to being considered, and called, 'Master' by my lover, if that is what you desire. I'll leave it to you, my Dear, to define for yourself, within reason, your place in that regard, as suits your tastes and comfort."

He chuckles as he sees the conflicting emotions play across her face. He thinks it best to continue. "And you are wrong that it 'never worked out' for me. 'Master' is a role I play well. Do not forget, as a mortal, I was a general of armies and a ruler of lands. Truth be told, it has been in those relationships where, out of love and friendship, I have tried to guide my companion with too gentle a hand that have led to calamity. It was just such a tragedy that has kept me from taking a Chylde for the past two hundred years."

Guillaume's mouth opens as if to say more, but he appears to reconsider. Instead, his hand drifts down across Narcissa's stomach to where his fingers slip between her thighs.

***

Jul-3-2002 8:28 AM Message 422 of 529

Subject: ...Spoil the Chylde

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 421 ]

::He can tell by her expression that she is quite surprised at his lack of lovers over the years. She figured him to be quite skilled in taking companions...and even more surprised they would be just mortals. She continues to stare at the ceiling as he speaks, but pipes up when he talks of his last chylde.::

"200 years? That's a long damn time Guillaume. You make me feel honored."

::She places her hands on his head as he moves down to kiss and spreads her legs for him...a light moan escapes her lips, but the thought crosses her mind...she wonders if he is sexually charging her for other reasons besides the pleasure for the both of them. She does enjoy the pleasures he gives her and they are intoxicating and addictive. She wonders if he is making her addicted to him for a reason...even though he has made her his chylde, even though she is solely dedicated to him, she wonders if he is worried she will leave. With breathy whispers she continues their conversation::

"I will not call you master, but you said you've been to lenient with your past lovers. What do you plan on doing with me?"

::She spreads her legs far now and lets out a louder moan as he continues to massage between her legs. She feels his trepidation when it comes to controlling her and guiding her, although she still doesn't know too much. She squeezes his shoulders and arches her back while almost losing herself to his desires.::

"Love ...if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to distract me from finding out about you."

***

Aug-2-2002 2:54 PM Message 423 of 529

Subject: Undetermined [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: goddessT [ Message 415 ]

Am I a lesbian?

Laura keeps asking herself this. It started a day or two earlier, when she found -- much to her own dismay -- that she was having sexual thoughts, and then actual fantasies, about her best friend, Belle Phillips. Now the question has taken on a different significance and a new urgency.

Moments earlier, downstairs, Laura's traveling companion, Tricia, had confirmed Laura's lingering suspicions that Tricia's ostensibly casual caresses and friendly kisses revealed a romantic intent.

"If you wish, YOU can be alone," Tricia had responded to Laura's suggestion that they retain the same, separate rooms they had used the past two evenings. "But I am just next door, call me if you want a warm body instead of a cold bed."

The look Tricia gave Laura as she said this...

... and the sensual chuckle that punctuated the statement, left absolutely no doubt as to the nature of the invitation.

Tricia had slowly climbed the stairs, occasionally glancing back to where Laura stood motionless, staring after her. Tricia then disappeared into the master bedroom, but left the door standing suggestively open. Then quietly ascending the stairs herself, Laura had gone directly to Belle's room, and closed the door behind herself.

Now, alone, standing with her back pressed against that door, Laura cannot help but wondering... Am I a lesbian?

She looks around the room, at all the photos and mementoes that remind her of Belle and all the different aspects of her unique personality. She knows she has loved Belle, as a FRIEND, for nearly two years. They belong to the same sorority, but Laura has never felt quite at home there. The other girls come from far more affluence than Laura -- whose father is a teacher -- has ever known, and Laura's liberal nonconformist streak, which inevitably emerged not long after she pledged, has always been barely tolerated by most of her "sisters."

Only Belle -- whose family wealth is demonstrated by, among other things, this huge lakeside summer home -- had accepted Laura unqualifiedly. Belle had always taken interest in Laura's viewpoints, even when they disagreed. They soon became dear friends.

Over the past few days, Laura's feelings about Belle have proceeded far beyond friendship. Laura is not sure what started it, either the odd dreams she had that Belle was in some sort of peril, or the subsequent discovery that Belle had run off on some romantic adventure with a mysterious lover. But whatever the reason, with each passing day, with every new hour, Laura finds herself wishing more and more that it was she who was now loving Belle. Laura closes her eyes, and again imagines what it would be like to hold Belle, to kiss her, to pleasure her, and have Belle do the same to her.

Laura moans softly and shudders. Forcing her eyes open, she steps farther into the room, away from the door. As her inklings about Tricia grew, Laura had considered surrendering to Tricia if she made an advance, just to obtain relief of her own mounting physical needs. Now that opportunity has arisen, and so Laura must ask herself: Am I a lesbian?

Or perhaps bisexual? Laura wonders as she automatically undresses for bed. For all his arrogance, the gentleman who had visited earlier -- Sir Guillaume FitzHenry -- was certainly attractive... well built, distinguished, handsome and with a seductive British accent. Laura tries to imagine making love with him, just to test her reaction, but finds her thoughts instead moving to his companion, introduced only as "Lady Narcissa." Something about Narcissa reminded her of Belle, making Narcissa's mere proximately a powerful turn-on.

Laura is shocked to realize that though she just met her, and exchanged only a few words with her, she wants to make love with Narcissa nearly as much as she does with Belle!

"What is happening to me?!" Laura hisses through clenched teeth as she drags her fingers through her hair.

Torrid images of Belle and Narcissa boil up in Laura's mind as she sits unsteadily on the edge of the bed. She can barely breath as she hears water running in the master bathroom across the hall, and knows how easily she could go to Tricia, and allow her to satisfy the desire flaming inside of her. But that would be dishonest to Tricia. Right now, there are only two people Laura truly wants as lovers -- Belle and Narcissa -- neither of whom she has the faintest idea how to find.

Laura is not yet so far gone that she can bring herself to use Tricia, to play with her friend's emotions. Rather, Laura decides she must instead rely on the same remedy to her dilemma to which she has turned so often these past few days. Lying back on the bed, she slips her left hand down the front of her panties. Soon Laura is completely oblivious to everything but the visions of Belle and Narcissa conjured by her fantasies. She does not even realize how loudly and often she cries their names, among many other, less intelligible exclamations.

When it is over, she is nearly silent, but for her ragged panting and residual gasps. She does not even whisper the last thought that crosses her mind as she falls into exhausted slumber.

Am I a lesbian?

***

Jul-8-2002 7:40 AM Message 424 of 529

Subject: Getting to the Point [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 422 ]

"Love," Narcissa addresses Guillaume with a gasp as he continues to caress her most erogenous places. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to distract me from finding out about you."

Leaving his left hand where it strokes her beneath the covers, Guillaume rises up on his right elbow to look down into Narcissa's eyes. He smiles, but responds with earnest sincerity. "I assure you, my Darling, that I have nothing to ever hide from you."

Then, with a chuckle, he concludes, "I just think we have things to do now that are far more interesting than my dusty old past."

Still propped up above her so that he can enjoy watching how her face and body responds, Guillaume lets his left hand fall still, except for one finger, which starts to rhythmically rub that single most sensitive little knot of Narcissa's feminine flesh.

***

Jul-8-2002 1:29 PM Message 425 of 529

Subject: Point well taken

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 424 ]

::She hears his words and writhes beneath his touch, as he continues to pleasure her. She grips the sheets with her fingernails bunching the loose fabric in her grip as he brings her to the pinnacle. She heeds his words and asks no more questions about his past figuring those will come out in due time and she is quite sure he will need plenty of time and a good listening ear to tell the many tales of his life. She arches her back and grips her teeth, almost resisting the urge to orgasm, but no matter what, he will bring her to that peak. She lets go and a loud moan escapes her lips before she relaxes back on the bed. She closes her eyes and lets go of the sheets while breathing heavy from his enchanting grip on her. She rests for a few moments before guiding him back up to her with her hands. Her touch is soft against his skin, and as he crawls up to her at the head of the bed, she meets him halfway pressing her lips against his in a passionate kiss. She puts every emotion into the kiss and allows him to look inside her soul at the same time. What he sees is love, fury, passion, flames, but most of all hunger. She desperately wants to go out and feast upon the unknowing, unwilling victims that will soon be available. She breaks the kiss, which lasts for several minutes and lays back with eyes wide open. The images in her head are clear and vivid and the expanse of her hunger even surprises her. She closes her eyes and lets the words whisper from her lips.::

"I'm hungry Guillaume. I very hungry."

***

Jul-9-2002 8:02 AM Message 426 of 529

Subject: Sharing [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 425 ]

"I'm hungry, Guillaume," Narcissa whispers. "I... very hungry."

Guillaume frowns. He has never known a fledgling vampire to hunger so intensely so soon after her transformation. It crosses his mind that some innate aspect of the girl's metabolism may have accelerated her metamorphosis. He hopes not. A Chylde's immortal powers should not develop before she has acquired the necessary skill and wisdom to use them judiciously.

Dawn approaches, and he considers seeing if she will fall asleep. But despite her closed eyelids, he notices the tightness of her muscles and the way her tongue occasionally darts out to lick her lips. She does not seem ready for sleep. Besides, if she is transmutating at an accelerated pace, then it might harm her to go without nourishment.

"It is a pity then that you chose not to share young Shannon with me," Guillaume suggests. "But, fortunately, that meal has left me sated."

He does not further explain the significance of that last, seemingly selfish, comment. When Narcissa opens her eyes in curious concern, she then understands.

Guillaume lifts his left hand to his mouth and expertly pierces the thickest vein of his wrist with one long fang. As he lowers the wound toward Narcissa's lips, he says, "I have shared my bed with you, and will happily share my life for as long as you will tolerate my eccentric ways. Now, in what may be the closest thing our kind has to a sacrament, I again share with you my living blood."

***

Jul-9-2002 10:28 AM Message 427 of 529

Subject: Feasting

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 426 ]

::She appears to be almost trancelike as he slits open his wrist to let the blood trickle down. As he lowers it to her lips, she takes a few sips and hungrily grabs his arm pressing his wrist to her lips. She sucks at his wrist as if she had never eaten before....the blood is fulfilling, but not the taste she was desiring. She continues to feast from him until he tires of feeding her, or feels she's taken too much...one of the two. He licks the wound and she sighs wiping the excess blood from her mouth, then licking it back up again off her hand. She sits up a bit and folds her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them. She looks at him sadly, distraught that she is so new to this, and so inexperienced.::

"Thank you Guillaume...but I want to taste human blood again. I want to do it myself. When will I get my fangs?"

::She sighs, but is it at least relieved that he has taken care of her hunger. The hunger pangs came on quickly and ferociously, but she figures this is probably just a growing pain.::

***

Jul-10-2002 8:38 AM Message 428 of 529

Subject: A Gnawing Twinge [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 427 ]

Guillaume growls lowly, and not threateningly, as Narcissa pulls his pierced wrist to her mouth and sucks violently at the wound.

He suddenly thinks of a conversation he had over two hundred years ago, not long before the start of his most recent period of reclusiveness. He and Collette had been invited to a dinner at a villa outside Paris. They of course arrived late, after the meal was over, and ended up having brandy in a small study with a few lingering guests, finally settling into a hushed conversation with a minor nobleman named Donatien Alphonse Fran�ois, with whom Guillaume had been previously briefly acquainted when Donatien served with the Chevau-l�gers during the Seven Years War.

Guillaume does not remember how the conversation turned that way, but he recalls Donatien mentioning his belief that when one is sexually aroused, his or her pain tolerance increases and sensations usually felt as pain actually become pleasurable as the body craves more stimulation. Guillaume took note of this, because it comported with, and explained, his own experience that prey would willingly allow being bitten if done in the context of apparent physical seduction.

Similarly, he supposes, it explains the excitement he now finds in the sting of Narcissa's mouth against his wound. He allows her to drink several pints before pulling his hand away, and licking the puncture himself, causing it to heal almost instantly.

He smiles as, catlike, she cleans the blood from her lips and hands. His grin fades as he sees her then pull into herself, and look at him in poorly hidden disappointment.

"Thank you, Guillaume," Narcissa whispers in subdued sincerity. "But I want to taste human blood again. I want to do it myself. When will I get my fangs?"

"They develop fairly quickly," he answers automatically. "In a few weeks, no more than a month, you should have completed the physical transformation into a vampire."

His brow knits and he sighs, as he decides to continue. "But remember, it takes much longer to adjust mentally to this life. Just because you are capable of hunting alone, does not mean you at first should." Guillaume is coming to realize that Narcissa's unusual hunger may be less a physical reaction than it is an emotional craving.

He suddenly remembers how he and Collette, two centuries earlier, came to be discussing such matters with Donatien Alphonse Fran�ois, the Marquis de Sade. Collette had become fascinated with the sexual aspect of the hunt -- how her victims seemed to relish the pain of her bite, even as she sucked the life out of them. His frown deepens as he recalls that Collette herself had described this need to enjoy the sensuality of her victims' death as a "hunger."

***

Jul-10-2002 11:42 AM Message 429 of 529

Subject: resting assured

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 428 ]

::she sighs not wanting her fangs to take so long to come in and wonders if Belle has developed hers yet. She lays back more comfortably this time in obvious relaxation resting her hands on her stomach. She reaches one finger up to her teeth, and glides a fingernail across them feeling her canines and perhaps, just slightly, maybe feels something has changed. She looks at him, who is looking back at her rather oddly. She can't help but laugh at her own ridiculousness trying to feel new fangs.::

"Sorry...sorry....I was just thinking, maybe, just maybe they were already growing."

::She rolls to one side and props her head up with one hand. She has a curious gleam in her eye, mischievious and honery, just like how she was in human form.::

"I know I won't hunt alone for the first few times, but I'm just anxious to get out and do it."

::She frowns for a moment and thinks. Suddenly, a thought comes to mind and she sits up, excited about her thought. A wide smile creeps across her face as she speaks.::

"Hey Guillaume...I have an idea. What if we both went out to hunt...except you can sit back, guide me and watch me catch someone....we bring them back and you can actually ...you know....pierce them...and then we can both drink. What do you think?"

::Her words are followed by grand hand gestures and it's obvious she is already plotting their outing in her mind.::

"Of course, we can do it after we go get Tricia and Laura. Damn...we have a lot to do my love."

::She lays back and sighs with a wide grin on her lips. She can feel Guillaume tense up as he hears her and reads her body language. She knows he has been reclusive for so long, but she figures now is the time to finally get him out and about.::

***

Jul-10-2002 11:50 AM Message 430 of 529

Subject: Tormented{Tricia}

From: goddessT

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 423 ]

Tricia had left the door to the master bedroom open hoping that Laura would take the hint and come in to the room. When she hears the door close on Belle's room, she sighs in frustration. She stands in the room near the bed, thinking how nice it could be to just hold Laura, touch her, feel her, ........ Then another thought enters Tricia's mind ..............Lady Narcissa.................Touching her face imagining her pressing against a wall and ....................OMG thinks Tricia... I have to talk to Laura, figure out what is happening. Tricia realizes that her latent tendencies and attractions to women have gone into overdrive. She goes to the door and walks next door to the door of Belle's room and starts to knock but stops as she hears Laura scream out both Belle's and Lady Narcissa's name, obviously in the throes of passion. Tricia leans against the door and feels her hand drift lower to her own inflamed pleasure spot. And leaning against the door gives in to the need to release the pent up emotion while listening to Laura release her own. Laura's screams and moans drown out Tricia's quiet moans and exclamations. Then Tricia listens as Laura's cries reach a crescendo and die off to panting. Tricia's legs are too weak for a moment at her own release..... then she goes back to the bedroom and falls into an exhausted slumber, Laura's face floating before her eyes melding into that of Narcissa.

***

Jul-11-2002 8:29 AM Message 431 of 529

Subject: Plans of Attack [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 429 ]

"Well," Guillaume hesitates as he considers Narcissa's proposal that she actually conduct her first hunt alone, under his close supervision, of course. "Normally, you would observe me once or twice before pursuing your own prey... but, then again, you have already seen how I deal with mortals during our pleasant conversation with Tricia and Laura this evening. It is more of an art than a science, and we must all develop the techniques suited to ourselves. So... as long as I'm there to guide you, to make sure you chose an appropriate time, place and prey... I suppose there would be no harm in proceeding that way."

Actually, Guillaume realizes, there may be some benefit to this approach. He has grown a bit concerned about the streak of obvious and violent enmity towards humanity Narcissa has occasionally revealed. While Guillaume has never been bothered by the cruelty with which some Kindred treat mortals, if it grows into a appetite for aggressive sadism it can lead the vampire into recklessness.

He decides it will be best to watch Narcissa hunt without having his own example to emulate. It should reveal much of her true nature. Then, if she does show any taste for actual cruelty, he can make sure it is guided into at least controlled, if not even advantageous, practices.

He would never try to actually suppress any sadistic cravings Narcissa has. Such repression can lead to a disastrous backlash. He learned that painful lesson from Colette. He is resolved to not repeat that tragic mistake.

"If you wish, there is no reason we cannot begin tomorrow night," Guillaume suggests. "Our visit to Tricia and Laura can be short. Now that Belladonna has surrendered her claim to Laura, we should infuse her with our essence as soon as possible. But then we should allow at least one more day for the essence to take hold of Laura before we bring her back here. So, tomorrow we can visit them early to sip from Laura -- an appetizer, so to speak -- and then go out hunting afterward."

Despite the heaviness of Narcissa's eyelids, he can see that she is imagining what such a night might entail, and her fierce grin returns.

"And you are right," Guillaume concludes. "We do 'have a lot to do.' The dawn is nearly upon us. Let us sleep now and wake refreshed and ready in tomorrow's nightfall."

He leans down and kisses her lips with unusual gentleness.

***Jul-11-2002 11:46 AM Message 432 of 530

Subject: A good days rest

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 431 ]

{Editor's note: The text of this entry was lost due to the passage of time.}

***Aug-9-2002 4:57 PM Message 433 of 530

Subject: Delicate Diversions [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 423 ]

Laura moans and her eyes flutter open in the dim predawn light. Again she has dreamt of demonic seduction, as she has almost every night of the past week. The first few of this strange series of nightmares concerned her now-missing best friend, Belle Phillips. More recently, including this evening, Laura herself has been the object of these nocturnal visions.

In her sleep, Laura had found the torrid sensuality of this new dream so appealing that she wakes with a wanton smile upon her lips. Then, as the horrific details of the nightmare resurface from her somnolent memory, she curls into a ball with revulsion. She shudders violently, unable to force the final image of the dream from her mind.

Finally bringing her breathing under control, Laura sits up and pushes the covers away. She realizes she remains in yesterday's underwear, now damp with perspiration. It sticks clammily to her skin as she climbs out of bed into the cool morning air. Pushing her likewise sweaty bangs out of her eyes, she stretches, arching her back as she tries to clear her mind of the thoughts and feelings leftover from the nightmare.

Laura realizes getting cleaned up and dressed will help leave the evening's dreams behind. She frowns at the door of the small, adjoining bathroom. Since she and Tricia arrived here at the Phillips' summer house, Laura has twice avoided its cramped shower stall, and instead treated herself to a bubble-bath in the huge, old-fashioned tub in the main bathroom across the hall. She has found tremendous physical and emotional relaxation and release lounging in its hot, bubbly water.

Laura opens the door to her room and tiptoes barefoot across the hall to the large bathroom. She closes the hallway door behind her, then crosses the bathroom to its other door, connecting it to the master bedroom where Tricia sleeps. Laura takes extra care to slowly close that door as quietly as possible.

Laura hopes it will be a long while before Tricia awakens. Laura has not yet decided how to deal with the fact that her traveling companion is now openly making sexual advances toward her. She does not want to offend or hurt Tricia, but the whole situation is made infinitely more complex by Laura -- who previously has never had the slightest lesbian desire -- herself recently coming to realize that she has developed overwhelming sexual longings for her friend Belle.

Laura pulls the cotton camisole off over her head, then steps out of the matching panties. She just stands there a moment -- eyes closed, arms hanging loosely at her sides -- relishing how the cool air raises goose bumps on her skin. Though not yet bathed, she suddenly feels cleaner than she has at any time since the strange encounter with Sir Guillaume and Lady Narcissa the prior evening.

Laura bends forward to fill the bath, and winces involuntarily as the antique spigots squeak open. She glances toward the door to the master bedroom, but hears nothing to suggest that Tricia is awake.

As the tub fills with hot water, Laura adds a large dose of bath bubbles she had originally found stored under the sink. A few nights earlier, when she had enjoyed her first bubble-bath here, she discovered in the same cabinet a large bottle of children's toy bubbles, the kind used by blowing through a ring at the end of a plastic wand. She had played with these for a short while that first night before setting them aside to succumb to a more carnal form of solitary entertainment. Now, still disturbed by her nightmare, Laura decides to again launch some bubbles in the hope that watching their meandering flights will lighten her mood.

When the tub is nearly full of water, and practically overflowing with bath bubbles, she settles into it. She sits there for just a moment, letting the heat seep into her tense muscles. Then she picks up the toy bubbles, opens the bottle and withdraws the wand. A firm steady breath sends a few dozen transparent, yet sparkling, orbs dancing around the room. She smiles, appreciating their simple beauty -- as opposed to the stressful complexities she will inevitably face later this day.

***

Jul-17-2002 8:40 PM Message 434 of 530

Subject: Reluctant Acceptance [Belladonna]

From: cyberian_belle

Reply to: cyberian_belle [ Message 409 ]

After the emotional discussion with Guillaume and Narcissa (in which she bargained away the fate of Laura von Hoeffner, who had been Belle's best friend in her formal, mortal existence), immediately followed by her troubling conversation with the witch Stardust (with its unanswered, coincidental question regarding the value Belle now places on human life), Belle appreciates being left essentially alone in the parlor. Of course, Briant remains, but he only emerges from the shadows when the fire requires a log or Belle's goblet needs refilling. Also, Ian still sits in his corner, but his soft music only enhances Belle's solitude.

Belle is not sure how long she sits there, staring at the fire, not really thinking of anything -- in fact, purposely avoiding thought. Eventually, Briant steps up and gently clears his throat.

"Pardon me, Miss Belladonna," the butler begins. "It is almost sunrise. You should probably retire soon."

"Yes, Briant, I am sure you are right," Belle concedes. "I just thought I would wait for Dahlia to come back."

"It's not really my place to judge, Miss," Briant says slowly. "But Lady Dahlia has kept her own counsel for millennia. It is hard to predict when she might return." He sees Belle glance at the windows, with dim gray light already seeping around the edge of their heavy curtains, and continues. "But don't worry, Miss. Even if she spends the day outside the manor, Lady Dahlia knows how to take care of herself... far better than anyone, I assure you."

"Of course," Belle sighs. "Good night then, Briant. Thank you for your service this evening."

Disappointed and depressed, Belle rises and walks the long hall to the suite she shares with Dahlia. Belle hopes her lover will return soon. It seems to Belle that whenever she has dealings with Guillaume and Narcissa, the other two vampires currently in residence at Crimson Kiss, she ends up distressing Dahlia. Belle hardens her resolve to stand aloof from Guillaume and Narcissa, especially now that the couple plans to bring Laura and Tricia here as servants, a concept that still bothers what humanity remains in Belle.

What bothers Belle more just now is how little that seems to be.

***

Jul-19-2002 1:32 PM Message 435 of 530

Subject: Welcome Morning

From: Iethro_Tullius

Reply to: Iethro_Tullius [ Message 414 ]

The Vampiress Belladonna is noticeably distraught as she leaves the room. Ian sings a song of morning comfort... but not specifically for her.

~~~

As the dawn sun breaks

Over sleepy gardens,

I'll be here to do

All things to comfort you.

And though I've been away,

Left you alone this way,

Why don't you come awake

And let your first smile take me home?

The shadows in the park

Were longer yesterday

And Lady Luck stood still,

Waiting for the kill.

And on a jumbo ride

Over seas grey, deep and wide,

I flew for heaven's sake

And let the angels take me home.

Down steep and narrow lanes

I see the chimneys smoking

Above the golden fields,

Know what the robin feels

In his summer jamboree.

All elements agree

In sweet and stormy blend

Midwife to winds that send me home.

~~~

***

Jul-20-2002 9:46 AM Message 436 of 530

Subject: Confronting Crisis {Aradia}

From: Josephine_Maia

Reply to: Josephine_Maia [ Message 368 ]

Aradia stands in her room, frustrated by her inability to locate either of her cousins, nor the young, red-haired woman whom they had taken as their charge. She considers casting a tracing spell for the girl, but hesitates. Intuition counsels conserving her strength. Besides, already she suspects the young woman's fate, and as gruesome as it may be, Aradia has no right to interfere.

Her cousins must be somewhere in the mansion. The fact that they are away from their rooms at this late hour suggests that they have found something interesting... or are in some sort of trouble.

Aradia decides to go out and look for them. As she emerges from her suite, she sees her cousin Stardust charging up the hallway from the direction of the parlor.

"Star!" Aradia calls as much from startled relief as anything. "What's going on? Have you seen Selah?"

But her cousin seems focused on the room next to Aradia's, the one with the shattered door.

***

Jul-20-2002 8:36 PM Message 437 of 530

Subject: Voyeristic diversions[Tricia]

From: goddessT

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 433 ]

Tricia lays on her back hand over her head half-awake after again giving in to the need to quench her desire. She dimly hears the squeak of the water spigots in the bathroom alerting her to the fact that Laura is filling the tub for another bath. Tricia waits in bed until she hears Laura's sigh as she eases into the tub, then quietly slips over to the door and carefully opens it so that she can see Laura sitting in the tub. The she watches in utter amazement as Laura starts blowing bubbles with a child's bubble set. She hears Laura's almost childlike laughter and smiles. Then Tricia looks lower seeing that the bubbles in the bath have evaporated enough that Laura's firm young breasts are showing through the water. Tricia is then overwhelmed with the uncontrollable urge to just walk in and crawl into the tub with Laura. Instead she carefully recloses the door and goes back to the bed and gives in again to the overwhelming need to touch her pleasure spot and as she gives into the feeling, she completely forgets Laura's presence in the bathroom and moans and writhes and screams Laura's name in the heat of he passion.

***

Jul-21-2002 7:18 PM Message 438 of 530

Subject: Rushing In {Stardust}

From: azzizs

Reply to: Josephine_Maia [ Message 436 ]

"Aradia!" Stardust calls when she sees her cousin. "Something happened to the girl! She's hurt according to Narcissa...and the other girl...I couldn't stop him, it would break our code, but she is..." Star shakes her head, "We have to get this girl out."

***

Aug-13-2002 9:05 AM Message 439 of 530

Subject: Missing in Action {Aradia}

From: Josephine_Maia

Reply to: azzizs [ Message 438 ]

"We have to get this girl out!" Stardust exclaims peering through the shattered doorway into the suite where they had imprisoned the stranger and her powerful, uncontrolled magic.

Aradia turns and looks into the room. The woman lays there prone, her face to the floor and her head surrounded by a spreading pool of blood. Whatever violence was done to her was clearly not the work of a vampire. It would not have been so wasteful... unless, of course, the woman was not nearly as human as her form suggests, a possibility to which Aradia has given much thought.

More likely, however, is that the mysterious woman injured herself in her frantic attempts to escape her captivity. Aradia sees that the locking spell they had erected around the suite holds firm. The rune Stardust had traced on the now-splintered oak door remains undisturbed, apparently floating in the doorway.

"It will be a little dangerous revoking the spell without Selah," Aradia observes. "Its collapse may be uneven, and cause some damage in there."

Aradia turns to her cousin as the implications of her statement hit home. "I thought Selah must be with you," she explains, concern cracking her voice. "Do you know where she is? I can't find her anywhere!"

***

Jul-23-2002 3:12 PM Message 440 of 530

Subject: Virtual Synchronicity [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: goddessT [ Message 437 ]

Having amused and diverted herself by playing with the toy bubbles she found in the bathroom, and not wanting her bath water to grow too cold, Laura finally sets the bright plastic bottle aside and begins washing. Soon, however, she is distracted from her bathing by odd sounds coming from beyond the thin, paneled door separating this bathroom from the master bedroom in which Tricia has been sleeping. It takes only a moment for Laura to recognize Tricia's gasps and moans as the vociferations of intense sexual passion... sweet tortures that Tricia must be inflicting upon herself in the very next room!

Where a few days ago Laura might have been shocked, now she is simply concerned. Laura is not particularly superstitious, but because of her experiences with premonition, she has always believed that life and nature have complexities beyond those currently understood by modern science. She has read stories -- of both fiction and purported fact -- about houses with personalities all their own, often evil, that affect anyone unlucky enough to reside within them. She has come to wonder if there is not some sort of sinister seduction lodged in this century-old mansion, hidden in a dark forest and set on the edge of a deep, secluded lake.

Whatever the reason, something odd has been happening to anyone spending time here this spring. It started with Laura's best friend, Belle Phillips, who came up over Spring Break to finish a long essay for school. Laura and Tricia then arrived -- driving a rental car all the way from Florida -- after Laura had several dreams that Belle had succumbed to some evil, but then could not reach Belle to be sure she was alright. After their arrival, Laura and Tricia learned that Belle did not intend to return to campus, but had instead run off with an unknown lover whom she apparently met here just days earlier.

Despite a strange late-night visit and accompanying note from Belle, imploring them not to look for her, Laura decided to stay on to try to learn why Belle had made such a precipitous choice. At first, Laura ascribed this decision to remain and keep looking for Belle to the normal concerns of friendship. Then, Laura began to realize that ever since arriving in this house, her libido has steadily increased to the point where she can hardly control her desires, and has herself therefore repeatedly surrendered to the same need she hears Tricia still noisily satisfying in the next room.

But over these past couple days, Laura's sudden randiness has become focused on specific lust for the truant Belle Philips. Laura, who had never before had even a passing lesbian desire for anyone, has been shocked and dismayed to find herself becoming growingly fixated on a desire to make love with her best friend Belle. Meanwhile, Laura has grown uncomfortably aware that she herself has become the object of the sexual desires of her traveling companion, Tricia. It occurs to Laura that Tricia's current self-indulgence is probably accompanied with fantasies about her, just as Laura has fantasized about Belle during her own, similar exertions.

In fact, now that she has started thinking again about Belle this morning, Laura has allowed the sponge with which she has been bathing to float away as her hands slip under the water and come to rest between her thighs. Laura strokes herself very gently as visions of Belle form before her closed eyes. In this waking dream, Tricia's distant moans become those of Belle in Laura's mind, as she imagines herself holding Belle and lovingly touching her.

Thus, when Tricia, in the throes of orgasm, cries out Laura's name in the next room, it induces for Laura a phantasm of Belle screaming her name in impassioned release. This vision ignites Laura's own climax, causing her to respond with loud, desperate sobs....

"Oh Belle! Belle! Oh god... Belle!"

Laura collapses back into the tub, splashing sudsy water onto the tile floor. With her lust temporarily sated, the reality of her surroundings returns to Laura's awareness. She realizes that Tricia must surely have heard her passionate wails, just as she had heard Tricia's. Mortified, Laura leaps out of the bath, wraps herself haphazardly in a towel, and without stopping to so much as to drain the tub, flees across the hallway into her own room, slamming the door behind herself.

***

Jul-28-2002 10:04 AM Message 441 of 530

Subject: Sweet Torture[Tricia]

From: goddessT

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 440 ]

Tricia hears Laura's voice screaming "Oh Belle! Belle! Oh god... Belle!"as Tricia herself is imagining that Laura is saying "Oh Tricia! Tricia! Oh god... Tricia" instead in her fevered mind and drifts into an exausted sleep on a sigh............

***

Jul-28-2002 7:40 PM Message 442 of 530

Subject: Waking hours

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: goddessT [ Message 441 ]

::She stirs in her sleep as the sun begins to set again. First she rolls one way, then back the other before realizing her body is trying to wake her from a restful slumber. The activities form the night before are still fresh in her mind. Meeting Tricia and Laura, Dahlias tongue lashing and finding the witch laying on the floor. Her eyes still remain shut however as she finds herself refusing to get up. The warmth of Guillaume next to her, combined with the comfort of the bed make it almost impossible for her to want to get up. Instead she rolls towards Guillaume nestling herself between him and a pillow. She keeps her eyes shut, but images from the previous night continue to dance in her mind. She also remembers that Guillaume said he would take her hunting tonight and a smile creeps across her sleepy features. Her wild red mane is spread across the pillow and she takes in a deep evening breath.::

***

Jul-29-2002 8:12 AM Message 443 of 530

Subject: Waking Happy [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 442 ]

Guillaume's eyes snap open the moment he awakens, a habit formed by years of mortal soldering and centuries of cautious self-preservation. He is immediately aware of Narcissa snuggling against him, the stimulus that ended his slumber. Guillaume allows his eyes to close, taking a moment to enjoy the security and serenity her companionship brings.