Prelude

Author: Somatra Manjula

Date: 12-21-02 21:50

It was hard to hear anything clearly in the noisy bar as Somatra stepped through. There were no ancients, that she could already tell. Without pausing she strode to the bar, weaving between the tables. Her outfit drew the eyes of most of the inhabitants of the room. The lacings of her purple corseted bodice were loose enough to present a view of her cleavage, her black pants molding to her hips, hugging her thighs and loosening from her knees down, her black sturdy boots made no sound on the floor. Even with a different outfit she would have still stood out what with her steel blue hair and purple lips. Neither of which seemed to be simulated by dye's or make-up. Her light green eyes flickered here and there though her steps never faltered as she finally reached the bar. Sitting down she silently declined the bartender's offer for a drink with a polite but firm shake of her head. She gazed at the crowd behind her by way of the mirror behind the bar, her eyes regarded each person briefly, never lingering for long.

She had traveled through most of the eastern continents, and after a short visit to the Americas during the colonial era she had left, returning to the eastern countries where she was content to stay...until the day the kindred she had accompanied for most of her long life vanished. A note and a bank account number was all he left behind. Her mind recalled the words of the letter...

Somatra..my sweet flower, I am on a sojourn. A sabbatical really. You know this life..free of the decadence I enjoy does not suit me. Go somewhere and start a new adventure! Why you've bedded most of the mortals in this hemisphere! So where to go but west hm? Back to the Americas you go my dear, I have arranged a first class seat for you on a plane leaving India tomorrow. Medas will take you. Nothing but the best for my melancholy green-eyed contradiction. And I know you've never flown before so here's the first step. I have also taken the liberty of securing a comfortably padded bank account for you. Medas will explain how to access the money. You may need that money someday. And please, use it however you see fit. I've not created it just so it can sit there. All will be well. Worry not, we shall meet again. In time. I know of a place, whispered among the Kindred...

The laughing voice from her past faded as a man sat down beside her. With a concerned expression he murmured, "Ma'am, you really shouldn't come into a place like this dressed like...that. Ah.." his voice faded as she regarded him for a long moment, her expression somber.

At his nervous laugh she arched a brow, "You would take me from this?" At his positive reply she stood and walked outside with him following close behind. She knew he sincerely meant her no harm, too bad really..she ran her eyes over his body. A magnificent body for a mortal. He gestured to a motorcycle, his nervous words holding a bashful note..

"I'd offer the lady a better ride if I could bu--god, that was corny. Get on." He handed her a helmet, straddling the machine and pulling his helmet on. She pulled on her helmet and moved to follow suit but his hand held up stopped her, taking off his leather jacket he offered it to her, "I swear I'm not being purposely corny. But I don't want you to catch cold."

"Thank you," she accepted the jacket and put it on, "How very..chivalrous of you."

Not bothering to zip it up she climbed on behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, sensing his question before he asked it she murmured, "Just go. I'll let you know when."

The motorcycle drove off into the darkness, disappearing as dawn slowly approached.

***

A Mere Glimpse

Author: Somatra Manjula

Date: 12-25-02 01:07

They stood in the small dank foyer as the manager lewdly grinned at Somatra. His eyes roved over her body, his eyes lusty for something he had only ever wished to have. While Somatra took the keys and walked off to her room the biker glared at the oily bald man, making sure the older man knew his advances were not welcome. Somatra sensed his protectiveness of her and was intrigued. Because he had no reason to be, she had been under such a sheltering attitude before, but only because those shielding her felt that they and only they should have access to her body and what it could give. Yet this biker did not feel any such lust towards her. Well, she amended to herself, he does. His strength of will is strong. And his body, as well as his mind are bound by morals that those of his ilk..mortals..seem to adhere to. The strings holding him to those principles are faint enough, 'twill be no hard task to brush them aside. Yet even as she thought of that she knew he would not fully enjoy himself if he felt that he had compromised his ideals. He reminded her of someone, mayhaps someone from her past. A lover from yore? She contemplated these thoughts as she approached her room and came to a stop. Slipping in the key she glanced at him as she approached her, his eyes staring at her lips.

"What a ratty old man. Don't you have any better place to stay? I mean..nevermind, it's really none of my business. But couldn't you have chosen one of the other hotels around here? I swear that perv at the front table is..ah..nevermind. Again. I'm going to..stop." his voice stuttered to a stop as she licked her lips, tearing his eyes away he cleared his throat and muttered, "Christ, could you act more like an ass?"

She gave no indication of having heard his words other than to unlock her door and open it. Stepping back she smiled at him, gesturing inside the room, her brows raised invitingly, she made sure to keep her expression platonic. As he entered the room he let out a faint grunt of disapproval. The small bed showed springs, poking through the fabric, sheets haphazardly tossed on to hide them showed stains on the edges of the fabric. The dusky pink wallpaper which had probably started out creamy white, did nothing to make the small room larger. And to add to the overall uncleanness of the room was the floor, the carpet had, in some places come up, or been worn to the floorboards. The only thing out of place, was her side pack, which even in it's obviously worn condition was in better shape. Then there was the picture on the wall. A cheery, neat framed picture of a lily. There was no need to make a closer inspection to know that there was a peephole where the center of the flower should have been. The biker glanced around the room with an expression of distaste and disapproval as she looked on in cool amusement.

"Jesus! Are you kidding me? Obviously he doesn't pay for housecleaning. The bed might as well go to the heap and look at the floor." he gave her a brief glance before looking away, "You're leaving. This place should have been shut do-" his voice faded as he stared at the picture. "What the hell?! He's a damned peeper! That's it, you're leaving." he muttered angrily.

Without waiting for her response he walked around the room quickly putting all her stuff together. Not a hard job as she hadn't really unpacked. Her jacket lay atop the bag she had not yet opened. His muscles rippled beneath his shirt, she could sense the heat of his body, even from where she stood. Leaning back against the doorjamb she watched him walk through the room to make sure she didn't forget anything. Her attention focused on him, she made sure not to make it too obvious, demurring it even. It would not do to scare him away now. He disappeared into the bathroom before reappearing in the room, his nose wrinkled.

"I would pick up something you could steal but..I don't think anything here is sanitary. Or worth it really."

Again, without waiting for her response he hustled her down the stairs, giving her her sack he nodded towards the door, "Go ahead. I'll settle your bill." Her brow lifted though she did as she was told. Her hearing was sharp enough, she could hear what went on without having to be present. She opened the door and stepped outside, the sound of the old man grunt simultaneously rang out with the sound of something hard hitting something soft, caressing her ears. Matthias Drew has a rough side, intriguing. She reached his motorcycle, straddling the machine as he came out, approaching her.

"Where do you propose I go?" she queried. Her voice, melodic held a trace of something nameless. A quality that spoke of age, knowing and exotic promises..fulfilled. Feeling his slight recoil from her tone she reached out with her mind, smoothing over his senses, dulling them. He turned to her as she raised her brows, her eyes held good-natured amusement, honest curiosity. "Or would you be willing to put me up?"

"I would. You're staying with me." he replied confidently

"But we are strangers, you and I." She already knew his name, but she wanted his reaction. "And," she added, "I doubt your flatmates would be willing to receive me."

"Strangers...well, I'm Matthias Drew. As for my roommates..how did you know? Anyway..I mean they'll deal with it. They're not the most..but don't worry, I'll make sure they behave." he flashed her a bright smile, "And you're name?"

"I am called Somatra Manjula." she made sure to say -called- as it wasn't really her name. But what was in a name after all, one soon forgot it if you weren't around long enough. Sidestepping his first question she went on, "Matthias..that is not a name I hear too often these days."

"Yeah.." he grinned lopsidedly, "I'd guess not. My parents named me for some great grandfather. But yeah..I mean..wow..that's a great name, Somatra. Rolls off the tongue you know?" he smiled sheepishly, "I thought..well..I don't know. I've been trying to figure out where you're from since we met. You say things like..flatmate, and chivalrous as though you say it everyday."

Somatra smiled and took off his jacket, offering it back to him she put her own on. "I've no home Matthias, not one I care to return to." her voice hardened though her expression remained the same, he looked at her quizzically as he zipped their jackets up, the movement so casual it seemed as though they had done it enough times that such gestures would be automatic, it was an interesting fiction to experience. Addressing his thoughts she went on, "I've journeyed for far too long to retire and dig roots now. Moreover I've not the forbearance to endure such monotony. Unless of course I am surrounded by elders. They lead interesting lives." His gaze was thoughtful, he seemed to sense an underlying note, a story behind her words. Unsure, he brushed the feelings aside and handed her the extra helmet, helping her fasten it he smiled sheepishly as though realizing how he was acting, putting on his helmet he climbed onto the machine. Somatra slipped her arms around his waist, her body pressing tight to his back. She felt a shiver run through him and responded to it by pulling her feet up and placing them on the metal coils. Her thighs cradled his body as she rested her helmet against his back.

"Make sure to hold on tight." he husked, "It's going to take a little while to get to my place." with that he took off, the coldness of the dawn air bit into her skin, piercing through their clothes.

Her arms tightened fractionally, the heat of his body burned into hers, already she could imagine him naked moving within her...around her. She knew he could feel it too, the knowledge only serving to pull her deeper into her thoughts. She could almost taste the flash of pure, enlightening ecstasy that greeted her the moment she consumed his soul. The physical consummation would be a mere overture to the actualization of all his darkest desires. Mortals, even some from the ancient races that now lived their lives in the shadows held misconceptions of the succubi. The moment, before the one they chose died, even during the transition from life to death..in those moments, they felt no pain. Indeed they felt much pleasure, and fulfillment. A pleasure so intense, it had no name. Of course..if it was to the succubi's taste, the prey would feel intense pain..even then she only felt a taste, a small drop of the rapture they did. She would get less from it than they, merely extending her life by preying on the powers their souls could give. In the end, as Somatra absorbed all the memories and emotions of their soul, taking on their sadness and sorrow, it made it all the more poignant that she was indeed doomed to a solitary life. So she fed on those mortals who lived their lives detached from society and confined her interactions to the secret scattered circles of the ancient races. As though to reassure herself, that no matter where she was, there would be someone else who knew of her. Her thoughts then meandered, inevitably to that of her home world. But such speculation would be best saved for another time. Indeed...for time..was something she would not soon run out of....

***

Progress

Author: Somatra Manjula

Date: 02-17-03 20:00

"If I told you you had a great body would you hold it against me?"

Somatra raised her brows at that, a friendly fellow indeed. She gave him a faint lilting smile to which he blushed and coughed as though to hide his reaction around his fellow male friends. Three of them stood before her with Matthias beside her.

"Rusty." Matthias raised his brow.

"Sorry." the red haired man replied with a grin. Obviously not sorry at all.

"So we'll be making a trip off the side to drop Somatra off boys. We'll be taking the jeep. Whoever wants to come back with me for my bike can."

It was evident none of the men--boys really, were listening. While the red-haired one smiled at her, his eyes locked on hers with honest curiousity, the brunette behind him leered while the dark haired one stared at her chest. Somatra was used to such observation and answered in kind by examining each of them, though for all the emotion she put in the glance they might as well be lifeforms she were studying through a microscope. The dark haired one winked and stepped forward, holding out his hand, as she held out hers he turned her hand so that the palm of her hand turned down, bending he kissed the back of her hand before straightening.

"I'm Luke."

"Luke. Such pageantry. An erudite libertine I see." she murmured, her lips curving. He smiled quizzically, obviously labeling her odd though he was quick enough to push that aside, after all, such oddity would prove an adventure in the bedroom.

Somatra graced him with a small chuckle as she heard his thoughts. Indeed? Trust me Luke my sweet rake, the bedroom would be the last place you would wish to visit with me by your side. Matthias led them to the jeep where they had loaded their items, each person getting in. She sat up front while Matthias got into the drivers seat. She turned at the tap on her shoulder, the brunette grinned, hand outstretched.

"Give 'er a good shake Somatra. I'm Ukiah, the boys call me Uke."

"As in Puke!" Rusty said, laughing. The other boys groaned as Matthias shook his headand started the car, the radio station turned on to a station where the deejay wasannouncing the first song, '--was awesome! now, Bittersweet by Fuel' the song started, the guitar strumming heavily as they drove. Throughout the drive Rusty would make jokes that while amusing did not seem to be enjoyed by the other boys.

"What do you call a cow with no legs?"

No one responded as music played. Somatra's lips curved, he really was whimsical in his own way.

"Ground beef!" he laughed and hit his knee repeatedly, obviously enjoying the joke.

"This is going to be a long trip." Matthias muttered.

Somatra chuckled softly, they had been driving now for about 2 hours, she canted her head as they drove down the pass, the road flanked by a majestic forest. The anticipation she had felt building all day was now rippling through her as she rested a hand on Matthias's knee.

"Stop." she braced a hand on the dashboard as he stomped on the brakes, the car jolted forward and then back to a complete stop, waking the other two in the back.

"What's going on?" Luke grumbled, rubbing his forehead where he had hit the back of her seat.

"Somatra?"

She opened the door and got out, taking up her satchel she swung the strap over one shoulder, letting the bag rest against the opposite hip.

"This is where I take my leave gentlemen. My most gracious thanks to you Matthias Drew for your unerring kindness. I pray we never meet again."

Yet even as she spoke she put subtle suggestions in their mind, it was a great forest and she was a mere woman after all. She could not fend her way through. And it was obvious from the way she glanced around the forest she was fearful. Each one reacted to the suggestions as she thought they would, hopping out of the car and offering their help. After a few minutes bickering amongst themselves Matthias ordered them all back into the car.

"We'll drive as far into it as we can, get the car off the road and out of sight of any thieves. I'm guessing it's a far way inland judging from your expression Somatra.

We'll...hike the rest."

"It's a good thing we wore sneakers then." Ukiah piped up.

Matthias drove the car into the woods, they had gone only a quarter mile when he drove it into a mire. They would spent a good hour or so pulling it out she gathered and got out of the jeep as they struggled along, denying her offer for help. She glanced around the forest, she could sense the ancients. She had sensed them from the moment her foot pressed the ground of this particular state. Her vampiric companion had told her she would sense them. She mentally cited his letter..

...I know of a place, whispered among the Kindred...with your wondrous keen senses you shall have no trouble finding them. I trust you will exercise that useful and beneficent practice of offering up your 'peace offerings'. I am sure that they will reply as I did. But be warned, not all of my kind will regard you as I do my pet. Why a succubus of your ilk should wander amongst our circles and never copulate with us will not be looked upon with amusement nor tolerance. I know your personal decision as to who you bed and who you do not. But you must know after all these millenia that fornication is to be enjoyed not as a vocation but as a pleasurable act. Tsk, this is to be a loving letter to my sweet emeraldine flower and I shan't revive our past debates. You are my contradiction and if I were to return to find you changed I must say I would be most displeased. Remember--

"Somatra?" Ukiah's hesitant voice broke through her thoughts, turning she raised her brows, "Matt says we might as well just start hiking. We'll come back for the car." behind him the others stood with dirty faces and exhausted expressions. She could wait a little longer. It would not do to bring them in such a filthy state.

"Rest. I've infinite patience. Rest and once you are all ready, we go."

Grateful for her words they each found a comfortable spot and fell asleep. She watched them in their slumber. Innocence and contentment smoothing their faces. They were quite young. Matthias himself was only 20 or so years. Settling onto a rock she folded her legs and watched the forest around them. For a brief moment her eyes shone red before returning to their verdant hue. None of the sleeping boys noticed though Matthias shifted. Of the four he was the most cognizant of the energies around him. He would indeed make a grand offering.

***

Revelations from a Dream

Author: Somatra Manjula

Date: 02-20-03 06:45

Somatra had slipped off her shoes to get more comfortable. Her mind drifted idly, scattered thoughts here and there. She caught herself humming the notes of a song that had caught her attention as it played on her seatmate's cd player as she rode the bus towards her destination. Upon asking the name of song and singer the reply had been a curt "Loreena McKennitt singing The Mystic's Dream." How fitting the song was. Beckoning her with the past. Coupled with the nostalgia the forest brought memories rushed up, taking her back to a time long gone. Naught more to those of this age than ink in the crisp pages of a history book. She had gone to Ireland, long before even she knew of the abundant numbers of those the mortals labeled creatures of darkness. Succubi, incubi...nosferatu and demon walked as they wished whether it be in secret or publicly. She was so much younger then. Druids wandered the land freely and King Arthur waited for those that believed in his story, just beyond the mist that caressed the land. A festival worthy of Pan himself as succubi and mortals basked in the carefree passion.

Standing to her feet she started to dance, the opaline moon shone down on her as her body twisted this way and that. Her hair fanning out on the air around her, the beat of the song melting into the music she had danced to that night a lifetime past. The man in his fresh buckskin, beckoning for his mate as he danced. Her hands seemed to float up, her body moving of it's own accord as the forest around her seemed almost to darken at the sight of such a dark dance. The green of her eyes fluxed, shimmering and melting into red as her form undulated in the silvery glow of the moon. Her every feature seemed lit by some light, flames that crackled and burned within. With her body, with her mind she hailed her Mother Lilim and all the mothers that gave birth to those creatures now hiding from the wretches that tore their birthright from them. The veneration of their heritage cast into the shadows. She danced in celebration for the day ancients and their kin would rise. Reveling in the fury that would come as the scent of the sweet forest air permeated her senses, her feet floated along the grass and she was the ground, the wind caressed her cheek and she was the wind. A surreal sight she had become, the figment of a dream, a ripple in the water. Blink and she would vanish, call for her and the hand she held outstretched would pull away.

Matthias turned over, coming awake as his body tingled in anticipation. In a small clearing before him and those that slumbered stood a dream, her movements taunted him, begged for him. Unable to resist the carnal call he arose, walking slowly to it, fearful that even the slightest noise would frighten it away. For a brief moment her features became painfully clear..Somatra? The way she danced...unearthly was the only word he could think of. But nothing about her had ever struck him as normal..or..mortal. It bothered him that he could think of no other way to describe her. But there it was. And here she was, dancing just for him. Waking him to divulge her secrets. Secrets that flickered in the emeraldine depths of her eyes, whispered from those lush purple lips. He yearned for her with a fervor that shocked him. Somewhere deep within a voice warned him for this was not love. And it could not be lust for suddenly he realized, she held him in her hold. She ruled him as efficiently as if he were chained to her. And he couldn't..wouldn't break free. She belonged to him..and yet..she didn't. She was everything and nothing at once. The sudden idea scared him so that he no longer crept cautiously toward her, instead striding noisily to her and yet once he reached her he could do naught but watch as she danced. Her body lit by some unknown force, her ruby eyes taunting him, wicked and playful. Wait..her eyes..what had happened to her eyes? A quote suddenly flashed in his mind, 'Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.'

Somatra's head dropped back, her porcelain skin glowing as she continued her dance, all through Matthias' wondering gaze she listened to his thoughts, his body. She heard the thought that his mind recalled to warn him and responded with her own, 'Illusion is the first of all pleasures.' She sensed his blank confusion as his gaze darted around, as though seeking for the one that had spoken. Her dance slowed until she stood before him, a faint smile hovering at the corner of her lips.

"Wh-who-what are you?" he whispered, his eyes glinting with desire and fear.

"Who am I you ask. Why my dear Matthias Drew does your memory falter so? Just this time of the night now past I divulged my name."

"You know what I mean." he kept his voice hushed, her gaze holding him in place as he stood before her helpless to do anything else.

"I am all you've wished for. I am that which you have prayed for in the darkest of night, yearned for in the brightest of day. I am..all you desire. All you long for and fear. Did you not question the fates that brought our paths together?" the ruby of her eyes slowly returned to their green so that once he finally realized what happened he would be left with more questions than answers.

"What have you done to me? Why me?"

A brow arched at his questions as he bowed his head, his gaze moving instead to her hands. He had the strangest feeling that he had felt her touch before...his scalp tightened at the thought of those long slender digits trailing over his skin, she would bring any man to his knees in the wake of her passion and fury. Somatra hid a small smile at his thoughts. How easily she could lead these mortals. Inwardly she sighed, she had only known one honorable mortal in her life. And even he in the end did what he had to..to survive. That had not shattered his image however for she held no regard for ones status, judging them on how they struck her to be once they met. But her mind was wondering once more, focusing her attentions on the man at hand she tamped down the powers that always flickered within her at the thought of the past. The inner glow fading, all her energies toned down as she watched him, he belonged to her now, even if he did not know it. The others, they too belonged to her. She would give them one more hour before calling them from their sleep. Tracing a tapered nail down Matthias' cheek she chuckled softly.

"What is it that weighs on you so Matthias?"

He blinked and stared at her, confusion battling through him. What had happened? A dream...a woman...red eyes..but..his mind grasped for an explanation that would be sufficient enough. Sleepwalking. He nodded upon hearing Somatra's voice. When he looked at her though, a brow was raised quizzically. He was hearing her in his head? What was going on? Realizing she had asked him a question he frowned and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Uhm. Just...groggy I guess. Have you slept yet? I have a jacket y'know? I could..you could use me-it..use it..I meant." clearing his throat he glanced back at the others, all asleep in their niches. He turned back to her only to see that she was now sitting on a flat rock beckoning to him with her hand. Unable to do anything else he walked to her side and sat down beside her.

"Troubled by a dream? Could you not sleep?" she queried softly, her gaze drifting over the others before focusing on him.

"I guess. I..there was a woman dancing..calling to me. Tell me..is this forest haunted d'you know? I have the strangest feeling...but it could be paranoia....I guess." shrugging he gestured vaguely as though letting her know he was still sleepy and all he had just spoken of was the rantings of a mind short on rest.

"Haunted.." she seemed to roll the word around in her mind before replying, "I suppose. The memories of the ancients pulse strongly. Can you sense them? Can you hear them calling?"

He frowned, concentrating with all his might. They were both silent as he struggled to hear what she apparently heard. The sounds of the forest faded, the cool night wind no longer felt as he focused on the world around him, he was about to give up when he felt something. In one brief moment emotions danced through his veins. Pain, pleasure, promises whispered in secret corners. Darkness was here. Shuddering the feelings vanished as he stared at her. It hadn't been a dream at all. He was convinced that what he felt couldn't be ghosts alone. Her. She was darkness. But he was tied to her. It hadn't been a dream. The revelation of all that had happened hit him with the strenght of a tidal wave. Reality and unreality melded into one swirl of confusion. His mind refusing to comprehend what his heart knew and wouldn't tell him. Things had gone from good to bad. And now..to worse.

"On second thought..I'm going to go to sleep and get some rest. My minds working overtime."

"One more hour Matthias. Then we go."

"We go." he acquiesced before walking back to his spot and lying down.

He would not tell anyone the fear that rushed through him at the thought. A line had been crossed and what scared him most was what they were going to confront when they reached this destination of hers. Somatra watched him sleep, a smile of amusement curving her lips as she looked up at the sky and murmured softly words of reverence to a being unknown. Her emerald orbs pierced through the dark shroud that permeated the forest, the others she had claimed in their sleep. Enchanting their minds with thoughts of her, claiming their desires one by one until she held them firmly under her rule. She now reigned over the boys, their free will bowing down to all she demanded of them. One more hour, they woud clean up, and with her unerring guidance...they would meet the end their future owners saw fit to give. Lying back on the flat rock she gazed at the night sky and waited.

***

And So She Has Arrived...

Author: Somatra Manjula

Date: 02-23-03 02:26

They danced joyfully that night. Woman calling to man, man calling to woman. Each succumbing to their desires. It had all seemed so simple then...

Somatra was jolted back to reality by a soft rustle of dead leaves and grass. She kept her eyes closed, breathing evenly as Matthias finally answered her silent call and came to her. Moving as silently as he could before lying down nary 2 feet from her and going back to sleep. A few more minutes and she would wake them. A smile curved her lips. In the past half hour she had called to each in their sleep and they had responded by moving closer to her. She owned them all now and when they awoke they would know it. Finally opening her eyes and levering herself up on her elbows she glanced around. Ukiah slept at her feet while Luke lay near her left thigh. Rusty slumbered near her left arm and Matthias slept curled up on her right. Such faithful pets. 'Tis a shame I can't keep you. But gifts you are and so must I present you. Sitting up she regarded them each with a faint smug affection before glancing over in the direction from which they had come. One of them..an ancient..had come that way and yet..upon sensing them had taken a different path. Walking around them. Standing to her feet she turned back in the direction she felt the pull and stepped over Ukiah, stopping at a small outcropping of rocks and flowers. She idly wondered if it were some sort of grave before tilting her chin up, taking a deep breath she tried to pull her senses together and find a source of water. She wanted to freshen the boys up before presenting them. Behind her each man turned towards her in their sleep, as though loathing the deprivation of her presence for even a few seconds.

She paused, having found water..yet...she sensed something else. In the direction of this odd pull there was something else. Someone else. Waiting for her. Though she was faintly surprised she wondered for a second if it had been her companion but quickly dismissed the thought. It couldn't be. This being was...different. Powerful in a way her nocturnal friend had not been. Intrigued she turned to wake the boys only to find that they were awake, rubbing their eyes and standing to their feet. Murmuring soft hellos they stretched before announcing that they were ready. Somatra planted a suggestion in Matthias' mind to which he picked up her satchel and swung it over his shoulder while the others joked and jostled eachother. They were each fully under her power now. She need only voice a wish and they would scramble to complete it, eager to please. The one she had had to spend most of her time on was Matthias. Not in any mood to have him harmed should he attack her, she opted to coax him while he slept. His mind was more open then. Less than 8 minutes after he was asleep he was hers. Afterwards she had lain there on the grassy knoll looking up at the sky, her mind wandering to the past as it always did. Her kindred companion used to teasingly mock her for that. It was as though..by looking into her past she could maybe see what was in her future. There was so much she had never done and still so much she had. So it was ironic then that while she was an ancient herself...she had not yet come to terms with it. A succubi had called her a mere pup once. When you grow up, dear pup..you will learn that it is your place, and this is theirs. Question not the hierarchy nor your niche. But then that particular succubus was not one Somatra herself would have labeled wise...her words though..held an unknown wisdom that she "could do to learn.." as her companion had once sulked.

"Hey I got one! What kind of bees make milk?" Rusty's sudden outburst once again brought her back to reality, without waiting for an answer he went on, "Boo bees!"

Matthias chuckled and shook his head as the other two snickered. Rusty grinned before jokingly saluting Somatra and then motioning for her to go. Arching a delicate brow she turned and started off. Before long they had reached the large pond of freshwater. The bottom of the pond was filled with pebbles, the water glistening invitingly. Without another word Rusty stripped and ran naked into the water, yelping gleefully at the cold water. The rest of the boys pulled off their clothes, not seeming to care if Somatra saw them naked, before diving into the water to clean off. She rested one booted foot on a boulder, unlacing it before doing the same to the other boot, pulling them off before setting to work on her corset. Untying the leather twines holding it closed she looked over at the boys, their gazes openly glued to her chest. Chuckling she pulled it free, letting the purple fabric fall to the ground. Stripping of the rest of her clothes and the leather bands holding her hair in place, she dove into the water, twisting and turning that way before emerging a few feet from the small group of men watching. If it were not for the need to find this place she would have been more than willing to dally in the water. It's cool liquid comfort welcoming. But after they all quickly cleaned up they went back on shore, drying off and dressing before continuing. Refreshed from their swim they all continued the hike with renewed vigor. Rusty shot off a few more jokes, ignoring the apathetic responses he got from the group. The moon caressed them as they weaved their way among the trees. Not one of the men thinking to question Somatra's knowledge of the invisible path they were following, the path that had been used..though not recently from it's shabby appearance having been abandoned shortly after they started the hike.

Somatra meanwhile moved silently, listening to the boys and their surroundings closely though she made no noise to give away her presence. For a moment she thought she saw a ball of light but that vision vanished as she glanced toward it, she felt the strenghtened energy in the air, energy that came from magic. And something more. Ancients. There were several here...kindred and..others. All present were powerful beings in one way or another. She wondered how many had sensed her coming. How would they react to her offerings? Kindreds never had much use for a soul. And as for the others..she felt a familiarity with a few..not familiarity of person but of kind. She had met their kind before of course..but judging from the weak response she felt it had been...awhile. Her eyes flickered with anticipation. Without having to throw her senses out she knew all this, and as she knew it she also knew there were none of her kind here. In all her travels these past few decades she had only met a few handfuls. She knew without certainty that if they were dying out she would have to make more. Pass on the legacy of her kind. A process which she had no patience for. It was inevitable. Survival. She would deal with it when the moment came. It was on that thought that they suddenly broke through the forest to come upon a sizable mansion. A few lit windows gave clue that someone was home. The boys manners changed the instant they stepped into the clearing, flanking her respectfully, their gazes slowly moving about before finally staring forward. Somatra inspected the manor quietly before catching sight of the flame, that had before been a mere ball of light.

A young girl sat on the concrete seat of a fountain that spewed no water. Between her nimble fingers floated a ball of fire, stretching and weaving at her command. Without having to throw out her senses Somatra knew she was not a Kindred. Whatever she is....she is not completely. That the thought came to her as suddenly as it did peaked her curiousity so she approached the girl, stopping a few feet away she inclined her head in a short nod.

"Good eve," her voice was musical, somehow conspiratory as though they were sharing secrets, "I take it it is you I have sensed waiting?"

***

First Impression

Author: Asha

Date: 02-25-03 08:01

If anyone would have told me that at some point tonight, I would find myself looking at a creature that would make me feel like a little girl in a muddy dress with a runny nose and a dirty face, I don't think that I would have believed them. There was something in her that made me want to look better in her eyes than in anyone else's, even my own. And I was acutely aware that I fell far short of the mark. I didn't know what to say, I had trouble even looking at her. It was just too much. All the trouble that I had brought upon myself, the harm that I had done to Aradia and the disasters that I could see looming with Mat, and now this...

What was she?

Desperate to fight back the tears so that I didn't look any worse than I did already, I concentrated on this question. I pulled my shoulders out of the slump that they had taken and hoped that the tears in my eyes weren't too obvious to her, or to her pets. I had to make myself look her in the eyes, but I banished the small, white ball of fire and offered her my hand. "My name is Asha." I said, and then stopped, unsure of where to go with it from there. I would like to find out more about her, about what she was, and about the power that was coming off of her so strongly that I could breathe it like air. I wanted to be the one to show her the Manor, some opportunity would present itself that would allow me to ask, to learn...wouldn't it? Who knew what was hidden in this place? I had actually started for the door, to show her the way into the Manor and to the guest rooms when I froze, pretty much in mid-step.

I would have to take them right past Mat to get anywhere.

As much as I hated to do it, I began to sweat.

***

An Intriguing New Acquaintance

Author: Somatra Manjula

Date: 02-25-03 11:48

Somatra watched as the seemingly discomfitted girl gathered herself together, straightening and offering her hand, My name is Asha. Her voice was quite pleasant to hear. Quiet yet beneath the hushed velvet lay a hard core that seemed to congeal even further with this new acquaintance. As though she were readying herself for something. Whether that included Somatra or another patron of the manor was, as yet unclear. The girls eyes glistened brightly and Somatra wondered at the tangled emotions she felt coming from the waif that played with fire as easily as though it were rubber bands. Deciding it was something the girl rather she not notice she took the pre-offered hand in a friendly shake. The curiousity of the other burned into her senses and she wondered for a moment if changes had occurred at the manor that her companion had not told her of. While she felt the power of the Kindred pulsing from within the manor, the girl herself seemed to hold enough within herself to hold her own ground should the need arise. And yet..she was not Kindred. A mix? Somatra contemplated that for a minute, watching as the girl rose from her seat and started for the door and hesitated.

She surely wields the innate grace of an immortal. And yet she seems unsure. She readies for battle with all the seriousness of a seasoned knight. But a battle with whom? And whoever it is..are they as talented with magic as she?

Sensing the presence of yet another..a Kindred this time, she looked to the doorway to see a tall, lean vampire. He had been standing in the doorway for some time now it seemed, as though disinclined to interrupt their conversation. She thought for a second that he might be the reason for the rise of nervous emotions that she felt coming from the girl. But she doubted it. She did not think that the girl...much less this vampire was on speaking terms. And the girls attention seemed focused on something else. Walking over so she now stood nearer to the girls left she paused as the boys flanked her sides, following her gait obediently and stopping when she did. Inclining her head towards the vampire in a respective manner she introduced herself, as much to the girl beside her as to him.

"I am Somatra Manjula. And these," she gestured to the statuesque and silent boys behind her with a faint nod, "These are my gifts to the owner and patrons of this manor."

***