Jul-30-2002 3:39 PM Message 444 of 530

Subject: Uncharacteristic Appetites [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 440 ]

Laura opens her eyes. It takes a moment for her to recognize the significance of the room's darkness. Night is falling, as confirmed by the dull orange light of the sunset seeping through the white window shades and lace curtains.

It occurs to Laura that she has spent the entire day in bed, since her bubble bath at dawn. She could not get herself to leave the room and face Tricia. So Laura instead hid under the covers, alternating between periods of nightmarish sleep and reclined lassitude. During the latter, her thoughts would always return to her best friend, Belle Phillips, rekindling passions and desires which Laura desperately wants to reject, but to which she would each time succumb, finding physical relief in her solitude.

In that particular, Laura ashamedly admits to herself, it had not been an entirely unpleasant way to spend a day. But, she knows, she cannot hide forever. She has not eaten since dinner last night, nearly twenty-four hours ago.

Surprisingly, Laura finds she has had little hunger all day. The thought of food, however, ignites an unusual craving for Laura. Despite her vegetarian beliefs, Laura suddenly finds herself wanting to taste a thick, juicy and very RARE steak.

Suddenly slightly nauseous, Laura pulls the covers up over her head and curls up under them, shuddering in self-revulsion.

***

Jul-31-2002 8:48 AM Message 445 of 530

Subject: Fully waking

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 444 ]

::As he opened his eyes she felt a stirring also...something now ingrown into her that caused her to wake as well. Even though she kept silent with her eyes closed next to him, she was fully waking up. After a long sleepy rest next to him, she decided to wake up and get herself ready for the night. She sits up and stretches before looking down at Guillaume, who is staring back and grinning, obviously still pleased with her body.::

"Good evening Guillaume." ::Is said in a teasing voice as she leaves the bed behind and moves to the bathroom. She looks in the mirror and still sees a few tiny scars around the tender flesh of her breasts from the scalding bath during the previous nights bath. She considers taking a shower, but her thick locks are still damp from the bath and she decides to pass on it. She looks at her gums again hoping to see some assemblance of growing fangs, but is disappointed to see nothing. She fluffs her hair and walks to her bags, which still remain open and her clothes inside. She picks through a few items before settling on a rather skimpy outfit.

She slides on a pair of leather shorts, along with a pair of black suspenders. Over her head and shoulders comes a white t-shirt without a bra. She flips the suspenders over her shoulders with curiously cover her nipples where a bra would normally control that area. She remains shoeless as she looks up to Guillaume who seems to continue his cheshire cat smile watching her. She grins and crawls up to the bed kneeling at the side with her arms propped up on the mattress.::

"Are you going to get up and get dressed this afternoon love or am I going to have to wander out on my own?"

::She already knows the answer to that question as there is no way he would let her leave on her own. Nor would she dare defy that order having seen what happened to Laura because of Belle's adventure. He laughs at her statement and starts to rise at her request. She backs off to allow him room and speaks more.::

"Can we go see Laura and Tricia when you get dressed? I'm dying to see how they're doing."

***

Aug-1-2002 7:54 AM Message 446 of 530

Subject: Rise and ... [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 445 ]

Guillaume lounges in bed, enjoying the fulfillment that comes with actual feminine companionship, as opposed to the hollow luxury of mere female servitude, with which he had grown far too satisfied.

He quietly watches as his companion -- the fledgling vampiress Narcissa -- moves gracefully around the room. He feels the normal male longings and physical stirrings as she first pads naked across the floor, then dresses seductively. These come to a peak when she ends up kneeling next to his bed and leans against the mattress to grin up at him. The growing evidence of his immediate desire is suppressed by the heavy blankets under which he lies. If she notices at all, she ignores it.

"Are you going to get up and get dressed this afternoon, Love?" Narcissa asks playfully. "Or am I going to have to wander out on my own?"

Guillaume laughs at Narcissa's preposterous ultimatum. His eyes flash, though his smile remains. His first instinct is to punish her impudence by remaining in bed, and forcing her to stay by acts of pleasurable force. He resists this temptation, however, to ensure they have time for the busy night they have planned.

Narcissa has requested that he supervise her first hunt. While it is, as far as Guillaume knows, unprecedented for a Chylde to seek quarry so soon after her transformation, Guillaume has decided to accede to her wishes. Narcissa's predatory instincts are unusually strong, and Guillaume knows from tragic experience that trying to dampen the sanguinary lusts of a fledgling vampire ultimately leads to more violent expressions of that repressed hunger later on.

Before the hunt, however, they must complete their business with two mortal women staying at a nearby lake house. Both now suffer from the emotional and physical effects vampire bites have on untransformed humans. Those irrepressible yearnings can be molded to a vampire's benefit -- as Guillaume's long reliance on "female servitude" attests -- and both he and Narcissa want to consummate that process in this case.

So, needing to complete these tasks before dawn, Guillaume decides to forgo his desire to pull Narcissa back onto the mattress and violently relieve her of the clothes she has just donned. Instead, he gets out of bed and crosses to an armoire where the butler has hung his clothing.

"Can we go see Laura and Tricia when you get dressed?" Laura inquires about the two human girls, as Guillaume reviews his wardrobe. "I'm dying to see how they're doing."

Guillaume selects a simple and conservative outfit: a tan, lightweight, turtleneck sweater; brown slacks; and stout leather walking shoes. Setting these aside for a moment, he steps into his undershorts.

"If you would still like to lead your own hunt tonight," he says as he sits in a chair to pull on brown socks. "Then I have a warm-up exercise in mind. Now that we have Belladonna's permission to take possession of Laura, we need to sip from her, to infuse her with our essence."

Guillaume continues to dress as he explains his plan. "You saw the straightforward approach I took to doing that with Tricia last night. Of course, you have not yet learned how to use your hypnotism to such a degree, but if you plan to hunt, you are going to need to come up with some stratagem that is within your abilities to make your prey vulnerable to your first bite. I suggest that before we go hunting tonight, you practice on Laura and Tricia, keeping in mind that we must each sip from the former without unduly alarming either of them."

Now dressed, Guillaume stands and stretches before concluding. "So, my dear, once you are ready... and if you think you're up to the challenge... let us get to the hunt... first for play, and then for blood."

***

Aug-1-2002 12:50 PM Message 447 of 530

Subject: ....hunt

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 446 ]

::As he leaves the bedside, she slides up on it laying on her back with her arms propping her up and her legs spread apart in a sexually suggestive manner. She notices a pause in is actions as he turns back around, and a hunger in his eyes as if he would take her right there. She grins, but doesn't budge as they have a busy night before them....their intense lovemaking can wait for now as the activities before them will surely amplify as the night wears on. She listens carefully before replying.::

"Actually...I'm not sure how I will practice on Laura and Tricia. I'd thought about it before and was planning on using sex as a trap...at least on men. I'm not sure how that will work on Laura and Tricia."

::She now sits up crossing one leg over another.::

"I was also wondering about Laura. If she has Belle's essence in her, won't that be dangerous if we bring her back here? I know she'll have our essences, but won't Belle's be just as strong?"

::She shakes her head knowing Guillaume will have an explaination, but she does not wish to cause any rifts between Dahlia and Belle...after all, Dahlia was kind enough to let her in...so to speak.::

***

Aug-2-2002 8:26 AM Message 448 of 530

Subject: Lessons [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 447 ]

"Well," Guillaume begins as he joins Narcissa on the bed. "The physical attraction mortals inevitably have for Kindred has always been one of our primary tools in the hunt. It is what I now exclusively use to lure my prey. Not only do I find it puts the girl most at ease, and ultimately makes her receptive to my bite, but it also makes the entire hunt, from the first encounter, rather pleasant overall."

As if to demonstrate his point, he places his hand on her knee, and slowly strokes up along the top of her bare thigh. His voice lowers and he now sounds a bit distracted as he continues. "If you likewise plan to use your victims' lust as an enticement -- and believe me, my dear, you certainly are well suited to do so -- then I think you will find Tricia and Laura will provide excellent practice, even if sexual attraction to you would otherwise be contrary to their... um... natural proclivities." He lets his hand return to her knee, then resumes lightly massaging her thigh.

"Tricia has had your essence in her blood for a full day. She is addicted to you by now. She craves you like an opium smoker craves the pipe. She will want to be near to you in any way -- indeed, in every way -- possible." He again lets his fingers linger at the top of her thigh.

"As for Laura," Guillaume sighs. He suspects Narcissa will have no more trouble with Laura than she would with Tricia, but decides not to discuss the basis for that opinion. Instead, he addresses the subject more generally. "Laura has been under the influence of Belladonna's essence for many days. Regardless of any prior attitudes, by now, she certainly has been having thoughts of feminine... ur... companionship... on her mind. What ever reluctance she may still have in that regard when it comes to someone other than Belladonna may just prove the sort of challenge that would make such an exercise good practice for the real hunt."

Guillaume sees that his explanation has only deepened the look of concern on Narcissa's face. "Oh, that's right," he adds. "You were concerned that the fact that Laura is already infused will Belladonna's essence will make it 'dangerous' to bring her here as our servant."

Guillaume chuckles, shrugs, then asks rhetorically, "Dangerous to whom? Not to us; Belladonna has already surrendered her claim to the girl. And, in one sense at least, being under the same roof as Belladonna will help curb some of the most damaging effects of Laura's addiction. Of course, seeing Belladonna, but not satisfying her physical desires for her, will exacerbate Laura's torment....

"Does that matter to you?" Guillaume asks in genuine curiosity. "I was beginning to think you had already lost all concern for the suffering of mortals."

***

Aug-3-2002 3:28 PM Message 449 of 530

Subject: Ready to go?

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 448 ]

::She sighs breathlessly as his fingers run up her thighs. Her thoughts meander off to a quick fantasies of him ripping her clothes off and bedding her before they leave, but quickly snap back as he tries to explain how to hunt. A grin parts her lips as he speaks about Tricia and Laura and the thought of them giving in to her is pleasing. As his fingertips continue to tease, she sits up and moves to his lap, facing him and straddling over his legs.::

"I guess I'm not sure how to approach them...sexually. I know they will both be ready for satisfaction, but I assume that civility still remains in their systems...I'm pretty sure they will not be jumping us when they open the door. And...assuming they are both straight, I'm not sure how I should approach."

::She flips back her long red curls and slowly slips the suspenders off her shoulders offering him a seductive grin. She notes that his eyes have now traveled from her face down her body, where her excitement is clearly seen through the flimsy shirt. He slides his hands up her hips and over her shirt where he toys with her nipples teasing her. She slides her hands down between her own thighs gracing her fingertips along the hem of her shorts.::

"Let me ask you Guillaume...to hypnotize, is it just in the eyes, or is it in body language also?"

::She untucks her shirt and his hands hungrily slide under her shirt to her bare skin. She shudders in pleasure and realizes she can barely even control herself under these circumstances, much less another person...and even worse, another woman. Her voice lowers to an impassioned whisper as she speaks.::

"I confess Guillaume...I've never been with another woman before."

::She can tell her confession does take him by surprise, given her past lifestyle being in the fast lane and all, but he seems to offer a wicked smile knowing he will be the one to guide all three women together in a sexual circus that is sure to please. She stops all movement and freezes in his lap before making her last confession.::

"Oh...and I wasn't worried about Laura. I was thinking about Belle wondering if it would cause heat between her and Dahlia."

::Another bewitching grins parts her lips as she continues to arouse the both of them.::

***

Aug-6-2002 7:56 AM Message 450 of 530

Subject: Suggestions [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 449 ]

Guillaume raises an eyebrow.

"My dear," he chuckles. "I must admit you've surprised me. Given the kisses I've seen you bestow upon sweet, young Belladonna, I'd have thought that neither the thought of feminine intimacy, nor the risk of causing friction with Dahlia, were of any concern to you."

The expression on her face causes him to laugh more forcefully. "Yes, sweet Narcissa, I saw you and Belladonna together in the parlor that evening. Of course, the effect she had on you then proves that even an untrained Chylde can still make use of her innate hypnotism, albeit in a clumsy and unreliable fashion."

Having previously accepted her silent invitation to slide his hands up under her shirt, Guillaume gently massages the suddenly tense muscles of Narcissa's back.

"Of course," he adds. "You won't need true hypnotism with Tricia tonight. Infused with your essence, she will find it nearly impossible to resist any suggestion or command you make. If you want her out of the way, just tell her to leave. If you think her presence will keep Laura at ease, have her stay.

"As for Laura... Yes, eye contact is essential when you first try to mesmerize prey, regardless of the ultimate goal of your hunt. And you must show complete confidence in your command over the mortal. Body language does play a role in that, but the voice is most important. Keep it low, steady and certain."

Still beneath her shirt, his hands slip around to the front and he cups her breasts, letting his fingers stroke gently and rhythmically across her nipples, setting the mood as he continues to explain. "Having gone several days without any satisfaction of her addiction to Belladonna, you should find that Laura is also especially susceptible to suggestion. And don't fret too much about your inexperience. A former Chylde of mine once said she felt more confident making love to women than to men, because she would just do to a woman what she would like done to herself, and thereby be certain that it would please her lover."

Guillaume suddenly lifts his hands, and in a swift, single movement removes Narcissa's shirt, leaving her bare above the waist.

"Tell me, my dear," he concludes, again chuckling as he tosses the shirt aside. "Are you that self-aware of what you most desire... that you could use it as a guide to the greatest pleasures of another?"

***

Aug-6-2002 12:18 PM Message 451 of 530

Subject: Teasing

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 450 ]

::She yelps then laughs as he tears her shirt off, certainly not expecting him to do that. That look of surprise is preceeded by another as he confesses that he watched her and Belle during a most 'intimate' of moments. An actual blush fills her cheeks not realizing he had been there the whole time. The blush is replaced by a flirtatious grin as she arches her back in order for him to have full access to her breasts. She spreads her legs a bit further and rubs against his lap only to feel his excitement in return. She leans in pressing herself against him and whispers deliciously into his ear.::

"You are going to find a lot of pleasure watching me with these women....aren't you."

::It was said not so much as a question, but posed more as a statement. She eases his hand to her thigh sliding it up her soft skin until he reaches a finger beneath her shorts and between her legs. She desperately wants to rip her shorts off now, but time is short and they have business to take care of. For a few moments, she enjoys the stroke of his finger against the moist folds, and lets loose a wicked sigh in his ear, but backs her body away from his. She slides off his lap and finds her shirt next to the bed on the floor. She stands there for a moment, still topless while talking.::

"We should get to the lake house soon before we become too...preoccupied. The next thing we know the sun will be up."

::She laughs, but takes special note of the look on his face. It is no longer the adoring master who brought her into this world, but a starved animal ready to throw her down and take her in the heat of passion. That expression is what turns her on the most about him and she takes advantage of the moment. She smiles softly while very dilerberately slowly she puts her shirt back on. After the fabric slides down her front, she pulls the suspenders back up and straightens them, only to allow her fingernails to linger around her nipples, fondling herself for his show. She is surprised at how calm she remains during this show of excitement, and moves one hand down her belly and into the top of her leather shorts, playing with the button and zipper. She steps closer to the bed and props one leg up as she licks her lips. At that moment, she removes both hands and carries on tying her shoes as if nothing had happened. As she finishes, she slides across the bed on her belly bending over the foot of the bed and leaning up and into his ear, again whispering.::

"I want to fuck you so bad right now Guillaume, but we have to go take care of Laura. I'm anxious to get started."

***

Aug-7-2002 7:45 AM Message 452 of 530

Subject: Subtle Passion [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 451 ]

"I want to fuck you so bad right now, Guillaume," Narcissa's whisper is hot in his ear. "But we have to go take care of Laura. I'm anxious to get started."

Guillaume usually finds offensive a woman's use of profanity, but admits there is a time and place for everything. In Narcissa's case, she always pinpoints exactly the right moment to inject just the bit of vulgarity into their relationship needed to maintain a spicy excitement. Guillaume can scarcely resist the urge to seize her and take by force that which she, at the slightest encouragement, would enthusiastically surrender.

Resist he does, however, because Narcissa is correct. They have business to attend this evening, the most pressing being to again visit Laura and Tricia, two mortal women staying at a house on a nearby lake. Guillaume and Narcissa had already sipped the blood of Tricia, thereby infusing her with their essence and enthralling her to their will.

Laura, however, had previously come under the spell of another Kindred, the Vampiress Belladonna. Late last night, Belladonna had surrendered all interest in Laura and granted Guillaume and Narcissa permission to take the girl as their own, as long as they did not kill her. The time has come for Guillaume and Narcissa to go and stake their claim to this inestimable prize.

Guillaume has set the conquest of Laura's human spirit as a test for Narcissa, a way to hone her predatory instincts and hunting technique. He must admit that Narcissa is right; since she revealed her intent to use physical seduction as a means to place Laura in a state where she will more readily accept their bite, Guillaume is all the more eager to proceed. He has discovered a unique and sublime beauty to feminine intimacy, a gentle passion which both biology and geometry render impossible for men. Thus, he considers himself privileged any time he has the opportunity to share in this tender love.

Narcissa's lips brush his earlobe. He takes hold of her chin and draws her face to his, kissing her forcefully. Again, he subdues his need to have her then and there, knowing that by leaving her own lusts unsated, he will assist her in finding her way to subjugating Laura.

He pulls back a bit, looks lovingly into Narcissa's eyes, then kisses her again, softly this time.

"Of course, my dear," he sighs. "I understand your desire. Let us return to that shore where last night we found so much pleasure, and see what new delights we might discover there."

***

Aug-7-2002 12:18 PM Message 453 of 530

Subject: Time to fly

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 452 ]

::She purrs softly at his kisses, first the hard one, then the softer more loving one. As he kisses her lips she grins wide happy that he has agreed that they need to get out to Laura and Tricia quickly. She stands back up and finishes tying her shoes. He rises as well having finished dressing himself, quickly controlling his male desires and subduing them for further business. She is impressed at his control, as her sexual desires still remain. She is excited to say the least that they will be sated, not by him at first, but by another woman...or at least she hopes. The thought of female flesh touching her, and her own hands wandering up a naked female form makes her shudder a bit and Guillaume is clearly able to read her thoughts. He smiles, but says nothing and they make their way out of the room and down the stairs.

She hears some commotion down the hall and it is coming from the witches wing. Her emerald gaze moves in that direction and she does see some figures moving about. She is satisfied that they are taking care of the poor woman who is bleeding from the head. He leads her down the stairs and all is quiet downstairs. There is a fire roaring, but the room is empty. No signs, of Briant, Dahlia, Belle or even Ian the bard. That strikes her as strange but she figures Belle and Dahlia are taking care of what she and Guillaume do not have time for right now.

Just as quickly as they have stepped out, they are through the woods and making good time towards the lake. She looks the area where just the previous night, they had spent hours entangled within each other. Within only a matter of minutes they are at the lakehouse. She stands behind him again, as she did the night before holding his hand tightly in anticipation of what will happen tonight. She whispers quietly in his ear as he rings the bell.::

"Guide me well tonight my love. I want this to be perfect."

***

Aug-7-2002 3:37 PM Message 454 of 530

Subject: Fantasy Meets Reality [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 453 ]

After one last, fitful nap, Laura awakens, now fully alert and restless. After spending the entire day in bed -- and despite her reluctance to now confront her traveling companion, Tricia -- she realizes it is time to get up.

Her naked body tingles under the covers, bringing to mind the growing problem of clothes. She had packed for just one week in sunny Florida, not for an extended stay in the chilly north woods. Unlike Tricia, she did not even pack a robe.

In spite of the nearly total darkness, she sees a lightweight robe hanging from a hook on the back of the bedroom door. It must belong to Belle, probably left there from last summer. Laura supposes she could borrow that for now, and thereby conserve her own dwindling supply of clean clothing.

The thought of wearing Belle's robe spawns a fantasy. Laura imagines Belle returning to find Laura wearing the robe. Belle would pretend to object to Laura's use of her clothes, and order Laura to shed the robe. Then, to teach Laura a lesson, Belle would use the robe's sash to bind Laura's wrists and tie them over her head to a bedpost....

The dismay Laura felt just a day or two earlier, when she first began to dream about making love with Belle, is now completely gone. So Laura submits unreservedly to her fantasies, reaching down between her legs to try to simulate what she envisions Belle might do to her if she tied her up like that.

Thus is Laura occupied when the doorbell rings. She withdraws her hands and pushes away the covers. Hoping against hope that it is Belle seeking entrance, Laura leaps excitedly out of bed. She snatches the robe from its hook and puts it on, cinching the sash loosely around her waist as she runs downstairs to unlock the front door.

***

Aug-8-2002 7:56 AM Message 455 of 530

Subject: A Simple Request [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 454 ]

Guillaume squeezes Narcissa's hand as they hear the bolt slide aside in the lake house door. It is flung open excitedly. Laura stands there wearing nothing but a thin silk robe, which the spring breeze immediately presses snugly to her slender body. Her nipples react to the nighttime chill, even as her expression falls in obvious disappointment.

"Good evening, Laura," Guillaume says pleasantly. "You and your friend Tricia were so kind to provide us with something to drink during our hike last night. I am hoping we might impose upon you for another few sips tonight."

***

Aug-8-2002 2:34 PM Message 456 of 530

Subject: Revisiting Emotions [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 455 ]

Laura reaches the front door of the lakehouse, and fumbles with the deadbolt. This sticky old lock, she tells herself, might explain why Belle � if that really was who had just rung the doorbell � could not gain access to her own family's summer home. Finally, Laura manages to unlock the door with a creak and a click. She flings it open, hoping to find her best friend standing there.

She finds instead Sir Guillaume FitzHenry and the Lady Narcissa. This couple had intruded into her life the night before, first by making noisy love on the nearby shoreline, then by having the gall to stop at the house and ask for a drink to quench the thirst no doubt caused by their exhibitionist exertions. She assumes they are European aristocrats in the area on vacation.

"Good evening, Laura," Guillaume begins with his smooth and -- she must admit -- charming accent. "You and your friend Tricia were so kind to provide us with something to drink during our hike last night. I am hoping we might impose upon you for another few sips tonight."

In the face of such genteel formality, and perhaps something far subtler, politesse is almost automatic. Without thinking, Laura steps back, opening the door wider.

"Uh... of course," she stammers. "Won't you come in...." She visibly winces as soon as the words leave her mouth. Who do they think they are, anyway? Showing up at this hour of the night like medieval nobles rapping on the door of a serf's hovel, and expecting to be waited upon. But before she can say anything more, Guillaume has already stepped past her with Narcissa close behind.

Laura's nostrils flare as Narcissa brushes by her. The inexplicable physical desire she had felt for the woman last night suddenly returns. Laura clutches the doorknob to maintain her balance.

Laura turns and closes the door. Although she hears her guests moving into the livingroom, she just stands there with her back to them, still holding the knob and staring at the tarnished brass latch of the deadbolt. It must have been the lass puff of cool spiring breeze that blew in as she shut the door, she decides. Despite the inner warmth moving up her spine because of Narcissa's arrival, Laura finds herself covered with goosebumps and uncontrollably shivering.

***

Aug-8-2002 6:05 PM Message 457 of 530

Subject: A new adventure begins

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 456 ]

::She walks in with Guillaume, but her emerald gaze is fixed on Laura. What a surprise to the both of them that she happened to be in such a flimsy robe as she opened the door. Perhaps she was expecting them? Or perhaps she was expecting someone else...

She knew what was happened to Laura, and had perhaps seen it in the city from where she came. Of course, at the time, she wouldn't recognize the symptoms having no inkling about vampires, but it would explain some of the loose...very loose..women she had seen at the clubs. Their hips danced in directions she had never even fathomed before and they'd always left with strangers. Her thoughts meander back to the situation at hand and she notices Laura still standing by the door practically shuddering.::

"Are you alright? Have we ...interrupted...anything?"

::She smiles wickedly at Laura having figured out what the poor girl has been doing for at least a few days now. The scent of both womens sexual desires are very strong in this house. She catches Guillaume taking a subtle sniff of the air and smiles to him. She knows it is too soon, but she breaks away from Guillaume and goes to Laura laying a cool hand on the her shoulder. Her touch is light and gentle, but much more importantly, suggestive. Her other hand is guided to Laura's wrist at the doorknob. She speaks quietly and closely to Laura to bring her to the living room.::

"You look like you're going to pass out. Perhaps I can help you to a couch."

***

Aug-9-2002 8:30 AM Message 458 of 530

Subject: Easy Openers [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 457 ]

"Good evening, Laura," Guillaume says with casual ease, despite the fact that he and Narcissa have for a second night appeared uninvited on the young woman's doorstep. "You and your friend Tricia were so kind to provide us with something to drink during our hike last night. I am hoping we might impose upon you for another few sips tonight."

Laura's bright blue eyes momentarily loose focus. "Uh... of course," she automatically responds. "Won't you come in...."

Laura's face reveals her angry regret at her own words the moment she snaps out of the mesmeric grip Guillaume's introduction had on her. He had not meant to hypnotize her at all, but his eyes and voice had projected his burgeoning desire in anticipation of his and Narcissa's enslavement of this beautiful girl and her equally fetching friend. A vampire's lust is nearly impossible for a mortal to resist.

Having made this clumsy mistake, Guillaume quickly walks past Laura and into the house, before the girl can change her mind in some sort of backlash to her momentary surrender of will. Narcissa follows close behind. He leads her into the livingroom, but then chooses for himself a solitary chair with high, solid arms. This leaves for Narcissa to choose between a similar seat, or the long, comfortable sofa on the other side of the coffee table. Either choice should present interesting tests and challenges to both Narcissa and her intended prey.

He smiles approvingly as Narcissa immediately turns back to where Laura remains by the door, trembling in an obvious swoon. He knows the reason: Narcissa

Unknown to Narcissa, her first steps toward transformation had included Belladonna's essence. On the same evening that Belladonna had sipped from Narcissa, Belladonna had inadvertently also introduced her essence into Laura's blood, leaving the hapless girl now insanely addicted to that essence. Apparently enough of Belladonna's essence remained in Narcissa at the time of her final metamorphosis that some aspect of Belladonna was permanently etched into Narcissa's new vampiric nature. It is that part of Narcissa forged by Belladonna's essence to which Laura now reacts so dramatically.

"Are you alright?" Narcissa asks her, and Guillaume recognizes the subtle humor in her voice as she continues. "Have we... interrupted... anything?"

Guillaume knows Narcissa is acutely aware of Laura's state, and is obviously encouraged by it. Guillaume inhales both women's musk, intermingling in the cool air like a rare perfume as Narcissa joins Laura by the door.

Narcissa moves in with confidence as she gently places her hands on Laura's shoulder and wrist and turns her toward the livingroom.

"You look like you're going to pass out" Narcissa says with an emotion that anyone but Guillaume might mistake for concern. "Perhaps I can help you to a couch"

Guillaume realizes that putting Laura enough at ease that Narcissa can sip her blood may, after all, prove too easy of an exercise for the fledgling vampiress.

***

Aug-9-2002 3:11 PM Message 459 of 530

Subject: Chemistry [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 457 ]

Laura moans softly, but audibly, as Lady Narcissa softly touches her shoulder, then her arm. Laura experiences something like deja vu, only stronger, and for a moment has the sense that she is in the company of her missing best friend, Belle Philips. Laura just as quickly realizes her mistake as Narcissa gently turns her from the closed front door and looks deeply into her eyes.

Narcissa � all wild red hair and voluptuous curves � looks nothing like petite, brunette Belle.

Narcissa � who during her two visits has worn skimpy outfits that would suggest to most people that she is an uncouth tramp, if not worse � dresses nothing like the tastefully stylish Belle.

Narcissa � who last night had silently clung to her man's arm during the entire visit � behaves nothing like the confident and congenial Belle, officer of their sorority and former cheerleading captain.

Yet there is something about Narcissa � some undefined trait or mannerism � that invokes in Laura the same unconditional affection she has for her best friend.

Without knowing why, Laura thinks of the first time she fell in love. Jimmy Sterbins was a new boy at school. The first time Laura saw him was in her third-hour algebra class. His desk was directly across from hers. Their eyes met as they sat down, and she immediately felt a pleasant rush of adrenalin course though her body. Better yet, she could tell that he felt the same thing, and for the rest of the hour, they kept catching each other sneaking giddy little peeks back and forth across the aisle. He asked her to Homecoming right after class and they went steady for almost a year.

After they broke up, Laura had asked her mother about that mutual tingle she and Jimmy had felt the first time they saw each other, before either had spoken a single word. (Laura remembers the discussion well, because it was the last serious mother/daughter conversation they had before Laura's parents tragically died.) Her mom had explained that was the feeling people called "love at first sight," and that some people just "clicked" when they first met. But, her mom had gone on to explain, in an attempt to assuage her teen daughter's then-broken heart, because such love is based "more on chemistry than emotion," that sort of relationship rarely endured, and the fact that she and Jimmy did not work out did not reflect badly on either of them.

Laura had felt that "chemistry" with one or two boys since, but recognizing it for what it was, had always proceeded more cautiously with them. It occurs to her that her feelings and dreams about Belle over the past few days have had much of the same quality as the infatuation of sudden and early love, but with far greater intensity.

Laura decides it is not that Narcissa actually reminds her of Belle. Rather, it is Laura's own reaction to Narcissa that creates the feeling of familiarity. Narcissa is not at all like Belle; only Laura's lust for her is the same.

Laura's muscles stiffen and her head shakes in violent little twitches as she fights to reject that thought. It was bad enough to have developed lesbian urges toward Belle, whom Laura at least already loved as a friend. Now, she must face the shock of feeling the same way towards a woman -- a WOMAN! -- she had barely met, a total stranger. Laura again trembles with confusion and dismay. Her knees almost buckle.

"You look like you're going to pass out," Narcissa's breath tickles her ear, causing a wave of desire to roll across Laura's skin. "Perhaps I can help you to a couch."

Laura tries to step away, but finds herself still held in Narcissa's delicate, yet firm, grip. Narcissa seems genuinely concerned, and determined to keep Laura from falling. Laura dares not meet her eyes, but stares at the floor as she tries to find a plausible excuse for her behavior.

"Oh... no... I'll be alright. I'm just feeling a little lightheaded." Again Laura tries to move away from Narcissa, pulling ineffectively against her tender grasp.

"I think I must have a touch of the flu, or something," Laura lies. "I haven't felt myself all day. In fact, until you got here, I had spent the whole day in bed."

***

Aug-10-2002 3:05 PM Message 460 of 530

Subject: more than a dream

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 459 ]

::She continues to help Laura despite her attempts to manage on her own. She can tell that Laura has become almost completely lost in thought as she drifts away for a few moments and the silence builds. She can feel Laura shudder beneath her touch...something she had never quite felt before. It's as if she can feel Laura's muscles tensing and relaxing in an obvious struggle with what she is dealing with. She looks to Guillaume for reassurance that she is doing okay so far. Laura's skin seems unreasonably soft, an indication that she takes special care of her appearance, even though she is barely concealed in such a flimsy robe. She also hears the stirrings of Tricia upstairs, perhaps waking, or perhaps just in a dream, only amplified by the silence that Laura offers. She let's go of Laura's arm, but glides her fingertips down Laura's back to about the middle.::

("I think I must have a touch of the flu, or something," Laura lies. "I haven't felt myself all day. In fact, until you got here, I had spent the whole day in bed." )...is said without recognition of what is happening to her. She decides to take full advantage of Laura's bowing head as Guillaume told her that hypnotism is in the eyes. She decides to use a lie to get what she wants.::

"I know I might not look like it, but I did spend a few years in med school."

::She lifts Laura's chin with a single finger tip as to get her to look into her eyes. She also raises a hand to her forehead to feel for temperature.::

"You don't feel hot. Let me look into your eyes. Usually the eyes tend to look a bit yellowish with the flu."

::She locks in with Laura's gaze to get exactly what she wants. Laura's confusion about her own sexuality makes this task a bit difficult as her inner struggles overwhelm her....any influence an inexperienced vampire tries to give her, could possibly only confuse her more and add to the insanity already in her mind. But she knows Guillaume is there to take over should her influence start to backfire. She actually surprises herself with this knowledge and raises a brow at this.::

"Come Laura. Sit down, you do look a bit pale. You need something to eat to get your strength back up."

::She walks Laura to a warm comfortable couch across from Guillaume and sits with her. Even though she said nothing more about a flu, she pretends as if Laura is perhaps getting over something. She locks her gaze again with Laura and continues. Her tone starts out innocent enough, but then turns more predatory::

"Why don't you rest for a few and I'll get you something from the fridge. You are hungry. You want me to help you."

***

Aug-10-2002 9:29 PM Message 461 of 530

Subject: Recap

From: azzizs

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 460 ]

Sitting on the bed in Selah's room, the two sisters are talking of the previous days events.

"How are you feeling now? You scared the crap out of me yesterday you know? I wish.." Stardust stops herself, not wanting to resurrect that particular old arguement between them.

"I'm fine, Star, really I am. I just needed sleep... a lot," Selah added with a huge grin. "I'm sorry I scared you. That was not my intention."

Too avoid getting emotional, Star brushes her sister's words aside and takes on a gruffer tone, "I'm just glad we could wake you up to break that spell. If we hadn't been able to that girl might have died. Hell, if she is a girl. I'm not sure what the hell she is..."

Stardust thinks back to the previous days events. Finding a new place to live, the talk with Belle, seeing that Narcissa was now a vampire, not being able to save the red-headed girl from her fate, the rescue of the girl.

After breaking the spell Stardust had picked the girl up gently and taken her to another bedroom where she placed her on a bed and let Aradia and Selah tend to her. The girl seemed to have stabilized somewhat, but her unpredicatability troubled Star. Just yesterday the girl had imperiled three lives, Star's cousin and sister, and her own. What would her recovery bring? Selah's voice brought her back to the present.

"I spent sometime in the library earlier." Selah laughed gently as Star rolled her eyes in a 'That doesn't surprise me' gesture. "There are some fascinating old tomes. I could spend a month in there and only graze the surface of the ancient knowledge contained within." Her eyes grew hazy as her thoughts wandered unintentionally to the few pages she had studied, the words burned into her memory.

Selah blinked rapidly, her eyes returning to Star before continuing, "I did find some interesting information on selkie's though. Could possibly help us in our next dealings the girl?"

Stardust says a bit resigned, "Well, at this point, I doubt it could hurt. I...I'm afraid when she awakes that she might hurt you or Aradia..."

"We'll be better prepared when she awakes. Nothing or no one will hurt us. Besides, they'd have to deal with you're wrath," Selah jokingly jabbed Star in her side, more of a tickle than anything, but enough to illicit a tiny if somewhat fake gasp of outrage. "And trust me, that's something I've avoided all my life."

Stardust can't supress the smile her sister's antics provides, "I'm glad you are feeling better. I'm not feeling very wrath-like today." She pauses, "I should go check on Aradia and see if their is anything new. I imagine she could use a break from baby-sitting anyway."

"Do you want me to join you?"

After squeezing Selah's hand, Star responds, "IF you are up to it, sure."

"I've been in this room way too long, a change of scenery will be good."

"Great!"

The two witches head off to check on their cousin and the mysterious young girl.

***

Aug-11-2002 9:15 PM Message 462 of 530

Subject: ding dong avon calling?[Tricia]

From: goddessT

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 454 ]

After lazing in bed and satisfying her urges again and again, dreaming alternately of Laura and the Lady Narcissa, Tricia hears the doorbell ring. Without thinking she pulls on her shorty robe and puts it over her naked body and wanders toward the stairs stopping before a mirror to quickly brush her hair then continues to the stairs........... as she starts down the staris she hears voices and recognizes Laura's and distinctly hears Lady Narcissa. As she heads down the stairs she feels drawn to Narcissa like a bee to honey.

***

Aug-12-2002 8:08 AM Message 463 of 530

Subject: Confidence [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 460 ]

Ancient wisdom holds that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to push on in the face of fear.

Likewise, confidence is not a certainty of success. It is the recognition that if you focus on a task and do your best, you can proceed without trepidation or embarrassment. This results in an outward appearance of calm and conviction that does much to enhance the chance of a gratifying result.

Despite the fact that the fledgling Vampiress Narcissa has never before attempted to use her innate mesmeric power, Guillaume hears confidence in her voice. "Come Laura. Sit down, you do look a bit pale. You need something to eat to get your strength back up."

The last is not said as comment, but as a mandate. The two women -- one mortal, the other so much more -- enter the livingroom side-by-side, but with Narcissa clearly steering the girl with a hand gently placed in the small of her back. They sit together on a couch facing Guillaume across a low coffee table. Laura reclines at an odd angle, like a compliant rag doll. Narcissa draws one leg up and turns to face her.

"Why don't you rest for a few and I'll get you something from the fridge," Narcissa says. It is not a request. It is not an offer. It is a command, as are the words that follow. "You are hungry. You want me to help you."

Narcissa's technique is quite subtle and polished for one so young. What better way to put prey at ease than to offer service? Guillaume wonders what experiences during her mortal life taught Narcissa to be so expertly manipulative.

Guillaume hears movement on the stairs in the foyer. He already sniffs the lightest whiff of Tricia's musk wafting into the room. He resists his first instinct, which is to intercede and take the girl away, to allow Narcissa to work uninterrupted. He can always do that later if necessary. For now it might prove a better test and challenge for his surprisingly gifted Chylde to need to deal with the additional variables that Tricia's presence will add to this exercise.

Guillaume slouches slightly in his chair, allowing his eyelids to droop, as if he is uninterested in the drama unfolding around him.

***

Aug-12-2002 9:29 AM Message 466 of 530

Subject: Smoke gets in your eyes...

From: Orah

Reply to: Orah [ Message 398 ]

Her eyes were open. She wondered if she had ever been able to see. She remembered color, or she thought she did. Wasn't what she was seeing called grey? An odd feeling was breaking it's way through the headache. She knew someone else was in the room with her, and although the woman had not moved, she could have pointed right at her. Even if she hadn't been in the room, the girl felt that she would know exactly where the other woman was, and be able to find her. She wondered why that would be, but her mind began to drift......

Some time later she came to herself again. She hadn't heard anything, and there was probably something wrong with that. There was something, almost audible, just on the threshold of hearing. Subliminal. She moved. The bedding should have rustled or something, but she did not hear it. She set her mind to questing for sound and her body seemed to fall away......

There was something like sound, in another part of the house. The blind and deaf girl's questing drew her to it. She couldn't figure out what it was, aside from sound. The strangeness of it frightened her and she began to withdraw, but attracted (also by it's strangeness,) was reluctant to leave it entirely. A part of her split off, she didn't know how, and stayed with the strange thing. The rest of her drifted on......

She came to another. This one was conflicted, and in pain, but something was being done. There were several others in the same general area the "Helper" seemed interesting, but preoccupied. She felt another part of her drift away and towards this other. She felt there might be some danger in doing this, but as she didn't know how she did it, she certainly didn't know how to recall it. She felt herself drifting further......

She could smell water and secrets. There were tingles all along the nebulous substance that she had become. There was one ancient, alone and afraid, lost. Somewhere inside the network that she was. She could smell water......

With a physically painful snap, she was back in the room. The woman she could find anywhere was shaking her vigorously. She gripped the woman's arm, and the shaking stopped. She felt her upper body being lowered to the bed again. And she could sense something more, almost sound, a question. She gathered herself, and tried to remember how to speak.

***

Aug-12-2002 2:43 PM Message 467 of 530

Subject: Offers [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 460 ]

"Come, Laura. Sit down, you do look a bit pale," Lady Narcissa sounds so knowledgeable, so confident. Laura has been so confused, so uncertain, these past few days. It is a relief to find someone who obviously knows what she needs.

"You need something to eat to get your strength back up," Lady Narcissa explains, and Laura remembers that she has gone without food, or even much water, for well over a day. Clearly, Lady Narcissa understands what is wrong and can make it right. Laura is so happy to find someone she can trust completely. Ever since her mother died, the only other person to whom Laura has given her complete trust is her best friend, Belle Phillips, and Belle has gone missing.

Laura stares even deeper into Lady Narcissa's eyes. When she and Belle would talk, Laura always found comfort in Belle's bright, friendly gaze. Laura believes she sees the same affection in Lady Narcissa's intense stare.

"Why don't you rest for a few and I'll get you something from the fridge," Lady Narcissa says, although Laura hardly notices her words -- and is only vaguely aware that they now sit together on the couch -- Laura only hears the soothing strength of Narcissa's voice. "You are hungry. You want me to help you."

Laura sighs breathlessly. "Lady Narcissa," she rasps, her voice barely audible. "Please... I am hungry.... I... I know it's a lot to ask... But I have... haven't been myself... Felt strange.... I want you to help me... Please...."

***

Aug-12-2002 5:17 PM Message 468 of 530

Subject: Assistance

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 467 ]

::She listens carefully at Laura stumbles through her words. The pleasure of control is obvious across her features and she glances to Guillaume who is seemingly not even paying attention to the two. She knows he is listening however for it would be a huge mistake if he wasn't. She turns her attentions back to Laura and offers her a warm smile, a deliberate attempt to keep Laura focused on her only, while mezmerizing her to manipulate her will.::

"Don't worry sweet Laura. I'll take very good care of you."

::She rises with the smile still embossed across her face. While I'm gone, why don't you talk with Guillaume here. I'm sure he'd love to talk about you and your friend Tricia for a bit."

::She turns her head to Guillaume offering a more wicked smile knowing he will keep her focused and hypnotized while she goes into the kitchen. Her intent really is to get Laura some food to get her strength up for the journey ahead. She steps away from the couch and towards the kitchen, but notices Tricia at the top of the stairs. She merely watches Tricia for a moment and winks as she continues. She doesn't know if Tricia will come into the kitchen or back to the living room, but it doesn't matter. She opens the fridge and throws together a quick turkey sandwich for her. She also decides to slice up some cheese and lay out some crackers should she continue to be hungry or if Tricia decides to come down and join. She takes her time in the kitchen for Laura and Guillaume to converse.::

***

Aug-13-2002 7:58 AM Message 469 of 530

Subject: Helpful Suggestions [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 468 ]

Guillaume watches Laura's blank stare follow Narcissa as she leaves the living room toward the kitchen. Narcissa's innate mesmeric ability is remarkably potent for such a young vampire. After Narcissa disappears through the doorway, Laura turns back to face Guillaume. Her expression already shows her agitated confusion.

Guillaume leans forward and meets Laura's troubled gaze.

"You are concerned that someone so noble as the Lady Narcissa is troubling herself to take care of you," he tells the befuddled Laura. "You are right... you should feel honored."

Having assigned Laura a befitting place in their hierarchy, Guillaume plants the seeds of Laura's impending devotion. "But you needn't worry, dear Laura. It is in Lady Narcissa's nature to care for such as you... She is as loving... as she is beautiful...."

***

Aug-13-2002 10:32 AM Message 470 of 530

Subject: Reacquaintance {Aradia}

From: Josephine_Maia

Reply to: Orah [ Message 466 ]

After her remarkable metamorphosis and head injury, the strange woman -- or whatever she had become -- had slept for over twenty-four hours while Aradia and her two cousins tended to her. Their spells had left the gash in her forehead almost completely healed. Only a thin, fading, pink line remained.

The woman lays in bed while Aradia sits nearby, reviewing a modern reprint of a medieval bestiary Selah had lent her. When the woman stirs, Aradia rises and stands at her bedside. By the tension on her face, the woman appears to be fighting to regain consciousness, and some part of Aradia's natural clairvoyance tells her that if the woman losses her struggle now, she will never awaken.

Aradia leans over and grasps the woman's upper arms. She manages to lift the woman's shoulders off the pillow and she begins to gently shake her with a series of short little jerks, while gently uttering encouragements to wake up.

When the woman's eyes first open, she focuses on nothing... at least nothing in the room. Slowly, however, her gaze comes to rest on Aradia's face, and she reciprocates Aradia's grasp.

Aradia slowly lays her back down.

"Can you understand me?" Aradia asks plainly. "Are you alright? Is there anything you need?"

***

Aug-13-2002 2:03 PM Message 471 of 530

Subject: RE:Reacquaintance |the changeling|

From: Orah

Reply to: Josephine_Maia [ Message 470 ]

She tried to speak. She knew the words as they formed in her head, and their shapes in her mouth were familiar, but she still could hear nothing. She hoped that what the other woman was hearing was intelligible, she certainly couldn't self-edit if she couldn't hear. [Are you alright?] is what she thought she had said. [You seem so concerned.]

She hoped the thought and the words had come out right.

***

Aug-13-2002 2:49 PM Message 472 of 530

Subject: Disinformation [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 469 ]

Laura is amazed to find herself telling Lady Narcissa, "I want you to help me... Please...."

Laura has always prided herself on her independence and self-reliance, especially since the death of her parents. Nevertheless, she sighs in contented relief when Lady Narcissa promises, "Don't worry, sweet Laura. I'll take very good care of you."

True to her word, of course, Lady Narcissa stands to tend to matters. "While I'm gone, why don't you talk with Guillaume here," she suggests wisely. "I'm sure he'd love to talk about you and your friend Tricia for a bit."

Laura watches Narcissa as she walks toward the kitchen. Already Laura starts to have doubts. Her sudden affection for Narcissa contradicts.... What? She had felt differently before... hadn't she? Yeah. That's right. Up until a few moments ago, she had considered Narcissa a rude and pushy snob! Sure, there had been something about her that had stirred Laura's newfound, presumably latent, lesbian feelings -- Laura remained uncertain what that was all about -- but that does not justify overlooking Narcissa's original behavior, even if Narcissa is an aristocrat. In fact, Laura begins to question that as well. Unlike Guillaume's refined accent, Narcissa speaks like an urban American.

Laura turns to confront Guillaume. After their vulgar, public frolic on the nearby shoreline, these people had twice intruded uninvited into her life. He has some explaining to do. She glares into his eyes, ready to tell him....

Tell him what? She hadn't noticed before how attractive he is. She has always found you can discover much about a man by looking into his eyes. Guillaume's eyes hold such depth... such wisdom... so much experience... Maybe he could explain why all this distressed her so much.... If only she could actually remember what it is that's bothering her.

"You are concerned that someone so noble as the Lady Narcissa is troubling herself to take care of you," Sir Guillaume reminds her. "You are right... You should feel honored."

Laura nods. Okay. Sure. Is that it? It must be. After all, Lady Narcissa IS nobility. How could Laura have forgotten that? Because Lady Narcissa has an American accent? So did Princess Grace. Imagine! Having a real live princess taking the trouble to help her, just because of a touch of the flu. Laura feels so honored!

"But you needn't worry, dear Laura," Sir Guillaume assures her. "It is in Lady Narcissa's nature to care for such as you... She is as loving... as she is beautiful...."

That explains it! That is why Laura, despite her normal distrust of wealth and privilege, feels such attraction to Princess Narcissa. The princess has shown such ideal noblesse oblige by tending to Laura in her illness. Such a kindly... loving act....

Laura sighs thinking that someone as noble as Princess Narcissa could show love to one such as her. Love? What sorts of love? Now there is a thought...

A few days ago, Laura would never have thought about a woman's beauty... Well, not in that way, at least. But Princess Narcissa... Princess Narcissa.... She was, after all, SO beautiful....

Laura surrenders another breathy, ragged sigh....

***

Aug-14-2002 10:35 AM Message 473 of 530

Subject: First Contact {Aradia}

From: Josephine_Maia

Reply to: Orah [ Message 471 ]

"Are you alright?" the strange woman responds. Her voice waivers oddly, and at first Aradia thinks she is simply mimicking her, like a parrot.

Then the woman says, still with an uncontrolled pitch and inflection, "You seem so concerned."

"I am," Aradia responds, trying to keep matters as straightforward and low key as she can. "I am concerned about you."

An odd expression crosses the woman's face, and Aradia decides to limit her explanation to the least of her concerns. "You fell yesterday and hurt your head."

***

Aug-14-2002 12:31 PM Message 474 of 530

Subject: To claim a prize

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 472 ]

::She has been gone now for a good 10 minutes to let Laura and Guillaume converse. She was hoping her effects on Laura would not dissapate by then, but even if they had, Guillaume would surely keep the girl mezmirized. After all, even if his hypnotic powers didn't work...which she knows damn well they will...but if there was a chance, she would surely be smitten with his good looks.

She easily carries a tray with the sandwich, cheese and crackers and a tall glass of ice water on it into to the living room. She carefully sets it on the antique table before Laura and hands her the glass of water. As Laura thirstily drinks, she speaks again in a calm controlled manner.::

"Here you are Laura... I hope you like turkey. That's pretty much all I could find in the fridge. I'm hoping Tricia comes down soon, that's why I put some extra food out."

::She reaches for a cracker and lightly nibbles at it as she would if she were human. After all, she doesn't want Laura to think strangely of them. She looks to Guillaume almost apologetically as she takes a few bites of the cracker, which, at this point, completely disgust her. But she swallows the crumbs anyways and continues. As Laura leans forward to pick at the sandwich, she puts her fingertips to Laura's wild curls and twirls one in a fingertip. She is sitting unusually close to Laura...close enough for them to exchange body heat.::

"How do you get your hair to curl like this Laura...they are so....soft."

::The word 'soft' is emphasized with a breathy feminine whisper meant to tease and entice Laura into perhaps feeling like the seductress at that moment. But she backs off upon saying that to let Laura continue to eat without practically choking at her obvious come on.::

***

Aug-14-2002 3:58 PM Message 475 of 530

Subject: Overwhelmed [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 474 ]

Laura automatically drinks the water that has been handed to her, never moving her gaze from Sir Guillaume's beautiful eyes. Nothing else interests her. She dare not look away. She does not want to risk his attention wandering to anything but her.

"Here you are Laura," a woman's voice says somewhere on her left. "I hope you like turkey. That's pretty much all I could find in the fridge. I'm hoping Tricia comes down soon, that's why I put some extra food out."

Sir Guillaume looks down at the table between them. She follows his eyes and finds a platter with sandwiches, cheese and crackers.

That's right, someone had told her she is hungry. Narcissa! She remembers now. She had asked Narcissa to help her because... because....

No, that's not right. She would never have asked Narcissa for help! She is certain of that, because... because....

Because Narcissa is a noblewoman... a princess... Can that be true?

Well, she is certainly kind and lovely enough to be... What? Only in stories must the princesses be beautiful.

None the less, Laura remembers how inappropriately attractive she finds Narcissa and purposely keeps her eyes averted, focusing on the table as Narcissa sits next to her on the couch.

Laura finds that she again has no appetite, but she does not want to offend Narcissa after she went to so much trouble, so she picks up a sandwich and absent-mindedly starts nibbling at it.

Why did she suddenly care so much about pleasing Narcissa?

Well, Sir Guillaume does call her "Lady" Narcissa, so she must be some kind of nobility.... But since when has Laura given any special consideration to aristocracy of any sort?

Well... It is such an honor, Laura remembers, that Narcissa would offer to help her... Wasn't that so?

It doesn't matter. That's not why she would not look for help from Narcissa. She would not have turned to Narcissa because Narcissa is a stranger. They've barely met.

Laura suddenly has the mortifying realization that she's been sitting here all this time in nothing but a short, thin robe... with nothing underneath! She quickly presses her legs together, hoping she hasn't embarrassed herself in front of Sir Guillaume.

Laura is about to make some excuse to go change when her whole body shudders delightedly at Narcissa's touch of her hair.

"How do you get your hair to curl like this Laura," she asks quietly. Then Narcissa's voice sinks low and breathy. "They are so..." Narcissa sighs deeply "...soft."

Laura's head lolls back and she whimpers almost silently as Narcissa's fingers tangle slowly and sensuously through Laura's long tresses. Narcissa withdraws her hand, apparently because of Laura's reaction. But it is too late. The sandwich falls to the hardwood floor from Laura's slack, trembling hand.

***

Aug-15-2002 8:10 AM Message 476 of 530

Subject: Overpowered [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 475 ]

Again, Narcissa's proximity makes Laura swoon. It does not surprise Guillaume. The girl's now intrinsic desire for Narcissa -- due to Laura's addiction to that part of Narcissa's vampiric nature forged by the Vampiress Belladonna's essence -- provided the perfect foundation upon which Guillaume has laid the frame of an enthralling devotion. He did not waste the time Narcissa spent in the kitchen. Rather, he hypnotically inculcated Laura with the belief that Narcissa is a kindhearted and generous noblewoman that any commoner should feel honored to serve.

If anything surprises Guillaume, it is how resistant Laura has proven to the idea. He has seen it in the hesitation of her actions and the internal conflict twisting her otherwise lovely countenance. She must have unusually strong antiauthoritarian convictions. Guillaume saw quite a bit of that at Caen, and then Paris, during the Revolution. Colette always took special pleasure in breaking ardent egalitarians to her aristocratic will.

Laura's eyes blink open. He sighs, knowing her fate similarly is sealed, and any remaining notion of independence she still asserts has become an ephemeral illusion.

Laura's gaze focuses upon the sandwich she dropped, its sliced fowl and mayonnaise spilt onto the richly lacquered oak floor like the entrails of a trampled beast.

Laura shivers.

"It seems Laura is still suffering the effects of her... er... flu," Guillaume says in feigned concern. "Narcissa, might it not be wise to help her back into her bed?"

***

Aug-15-2002 8:15 AM Message 477 of 530

Subject: RE:First Contact |the Changeling|

From: Orah

Reply to: Josephine_Maia [ Message 473 ]

The other woman had spoken to her, she was sure of it, but her ears still would not work. She could almost hear. There were words, but there was no sound behind them. And they were barely distinct, she was sure she was missing some of them.

i...concern...you...fell...head

She tried to answer as coherently as she could, but she was becoming so tired, she wasn't at all sure what kind of controll she had over her voice, and hadn't from the beginning. [Don't worry, it's just that I can't really hear you.]

***

Aug-15-2002 9:41 AM Message 478 of 530

Subject: Communication Breakdown? {Aradia}

From: Josephine_Maia

Reply to: Orah [ Message 477 ]

"Don't worry, it's just that I can't really hear you," the strange woman explains the oddly wavering pitch and inflection of her voice.

Aradia responds with loud, slow enunciation, not knowing if it makes any difference, but figuring it cannot hurt. "IF... YOU... WILL... LET... GO... OF... MY... ARMS.... I... WILL... GO... GET... MY... COUSINS... TO... SEE... WHAT... MORE... WE... CAN... DO... TO... HELP."

***

Aug-15-2002 1:51 PM Message 479 of 530

Subject: Communication |the Changeling|

From: Orah

Reply to: Josephine_Maia [ Message 478 ]

let go...my...go get...cousins...we...do

She shook her head, not knowing for certain what she was hearing was making her tired. Her head hurt, and she put her hands to her head to soothe the aching. The other woman said something else, but she was too tired to try and puzzle it out. The other woman left the room, and had the blind and deaf girl not been able to find her wherever the other woman went, she might have panicked. But the girl knew where she was, and was confident that she would be able to find her.

Then suddenly, she wasn't so sure. She was in a bed, what if she couldn't walk either? She gathered her courage and began to get up.

***

Aug-15-2002 3:48 PM Message 480 of 530

Subject: Overwrought [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 476 ]

Laura stares at the turkey sandwich laying on the floor next to her bare feet. She does not remember dropping it. She ought to clean up the mess, but she is wearing nothing under the short robe she borrowed off the hook on Belle's bedroom door. Laura is a few inches taller than Belle, and would probably have purchased a size larger were this her robe. She is unsure she can bend down to wipe the floor without exposing something.

How had she gotten herself into this embarrassing situation?

When the doorbell rang twenty minutes ago, Laura was still in bed, not yet dressed. She had grabbed the first article of clothing available and run downstairs. She remembers her disappointment -- even anger -- when she found Sir Guillaume and Narcissa at the door, instead of the hoped-for Belle Phillips. At that point, Laura did not much care how she looked. Why had she even invited them in? Again, she cannot remember.

It suddenly crosses Laura's mind that she might be going insane. She knows that gaps in memory can be a symptom of mental illness. What else could explain her recent erratic behavior.... Renting a car and leaving her Spring Break hotel to drive halfway across the country because of a few nightmares.... Her recent indiscretions in the bathtub... Her unprecedented dreams and fantasies about her best friend, Belle.... Her similar desires toward Narcissa, a complete stranger.... Now this, sitting here practically naked in front of her unplanned guests.

Laura shudders with the fear that she is losing her mind.

"It seems Laura is still suffering the effects of her... er... flu," she hears Sir Guillaume say. She finds some hope in that. Hadn't Narcissa said something about her having the flu? A fever might explain why she felt so strange.

"Narcissa," Guillaume continues. "Might it not be wise to help her back into her bed?"

"No!" Laura gasps in response to the erotic visions that Guillaume's suggestion inspires. The images that fill Laura's mind involving herself, Narcissa and a bed simultaneously entice and horrify Laura.

"I shouldn't..." she whispers as she turns to face Narcissa, but then cannot bring herself to meet the woman's lovely green eyes. Laura watches her own hands, tugging down the hems of her robe to cover a bit more of her thighs. Laura clears her throat, but her voice remains a breathy rasp. "I mean... you mustn't.... I mean... um.. I mean you shouldn't... you should not put yourself to any trouble on my account."

***

Aug-15-2002 5:58 PM Message 481 of 530

Subject: Time for rest?

From: Narcissa_

Reply to: Laura_Junius [ Message 480 ]

::She watches Laura drop the sandwich, and is a bit surprised that she actually dropped the food from her hands. She can't help but laugh as the sandwich hits the floor as her power of suggestion has really taken over this poor girl. She looks to Guillaume who is glaring at her now and Laura, who is mortified she would laugh at such a careless drop. She stops laughing and looks to Laura, whose features have gone through every twist of emotion within seconds of these actions.::

"Don't worry Laura. You are not troubling us at all."

::She gets up and retrieves some paper towels from the kitchen before coming back in. She kneels down at Laura's right knee, placing one hand on the girls thigh while cleaning up the sandwich with her free hand. Her fingernails graze lightly against Laura's thigh, a purposeful action, before she rises again and speaks.::

"Perhaps we came back here for just that reason."

::She again disappears to throw out the dismantled sandwich in the kitchen before stepping into the doorway by the stairs. She notes Laura's look of complete confusion now and moves back to her seat next to her. Again, she lifts Laura's chin so their gazes lock, and again, her power of mezmirizing takes over.::

"We are only here to take care of you and now it IS time to go back to bed. You will take my hand and stand up now."

::Laura willingly rises seemingly caving in to her will. She figures she is either very good, or Laura is so exhausted from her own mental anguish, that is just must be easier to let someone else take control. She faces Laura with a parting smile and moves her hands to Laura's shoulders.::

"Let me straighten this robe for you."

::She moves her fingertips down the sleeves, straightening them from wrinkles and eventually to the collar where she straightens that as well. She leaves her fingertips in the collar and moves them slowly down the front, past her chest, where her pinky fingers lightly dance down the inside of her breasts and to the belt. She tightens the belt a bit and closes the fabric more between her legs without ever touching the flesh of her thighs.::

"There....much better."

::She gives Guillaume a knowing look...knowing this is not much better, but with such a flimsy robe, to achieve what they all want, including Laura, will be much better to obtain. Again, eye contact is made.::

"Laura....let's get you to the bed."

***

Aug-16-2002 7:53 AM Message 482 of 530

Subject: Assent & Ascent [Guillaume]

From: Anborn

Reply to: Narcissa_ [ Message 481 ]

Narcissa denies any prior romantic experience with women. So, as Guillaume watches her masterly use of her eyes, voice and fingers to ensnare Laura, he finds himself pitying slightly any man Narcissa had ever decided to toy with.

He follows the women -- one an evolving Vampiress, the other her first mortal conquest -- as they head up the stairs. They come to a windowed landing, from which the other human girl, Tricia, has been watching them. Tricia glares at Narcissa and Laura, her face betraying conflicting desires and jealousies. As they pass, Guillaume hooks his elbow around Tricia's right arm, knowing the effect of his and Narcissa's combined essence in Tricia's blood will make her compliant to any request he may make.

"Your friend Laura is feeling discomfitted," he explains truthfully, but then continues strategically. "We are putting her to bed. You should join us upstairs in case we need any assistance tending to her needs."

***

Aug-16-2002 3:24 PM Message 483 of 530

Subject: Readjusted [Laura]

From: Laura_Junius

Reply to: Anborn [ Message 482 ]

Laura wishes Princess Narcissa would stop touching her like that. It makes her feel so guilty... so unworthy.

After all, Princess Narcissa and Sir Guillaume had come all the way here just to take care of her. The fever from Laura's flu had left her behaving insanely, culminating in the bizarre act of receiving such distinguished guests in nothing but a revealing, short robe. It was like one of those dreams where you go to school and only after walking into a crowded lecture hall do you realize you are naked.

But in her refined politesse, Princess Narcissa shows none of the insult Laura knows she has surely given. Instead, she takes it upon herself to adjust Laura's robe so that Laura does not cause further offense.

But Princess Narcissa's touch -- her confident fingers on Laura's shoulders, ribs and stomach as she adjusts and secures the lapel and sash of the robe -- is enticing torment to Laura. It is worse even than moments before, when, in order to steady her balance as she cleaned up something Laura had spilled on the floor -- Laura feels more shame at the thought that she let an actual princess clean up after her own clumsiness -- Princess Narcissa had set her hand on Laura's bare thigh.

Rather than feeling properly appreciative for all Princess Narcissa has already done to care for her in her illness, Laura feels nothing but unsuitable desires for her benefactress.

Now, as Princess Narcissa adjusts the hems where the robe closes in front of Laura's thighs, it is all Laura can do to keep from reaching out and caressing the Princess. Laura stands rigid, her arms straight at her sides and her hands balled into painful fists. She stares directly back into Princess Narcissa's eyes, afraid to speak, or even open her mouth. In fact, she barely manages to suppress a moan of unsated lust as Princess Narcissa withdraws her hands from the front of her robe.

"There," Princess Narcissa proclaims, her eyes smiling at Laura with satisfaction. "Much better."

Laura's forehead furls in shocked confusion as Narcissa glances away to grin at Sir Guillaume. Laura looks down and confirms that her robe does cover her appropriately. But Laura is alarmed to find that Narcissa has pulled back the lapel to reveal all of Laura's modest cleavage, and cinched the sash to enhance the provocative folds of silk across the front of her thighs. Laura realizes effect is anything but mannerly, but rather quite suggestive.

"Laura," Narcissa says and Laura looks up to meet her gaze. "Let's get you to the bed."

Laura nods. That's right. She had forgotten. She is sick and supposed to be in bed.

Walking eye-to-eye and hand-in-hand, Laura is aware of little but her own struggle against her intensifying sexual hunger as she and Princess Narcissa ascend the stairs. As they enter the bedroom and sit side-by-side on the bed, Laura hopes that she can keep from further embarrassing herself by saying or doing something that would betray her almost uncontrollable desire to hold, to kiss, to touch Princess Narcissa.

***