A Homeless Kindred

Author: Amantara

Date: 06-23-03 16:29

Tired and starving she wandered. Half blind from the hunger, toward something. An energy, almost like a beacon. Finally, she stopped, sitting on the forest floor. She sat completely still, waiting. A racoon soon ran by her, with reflexes faster than that of a human she snatched the animal off the ground. Bringing it to her lips, she bit down listening to it's screams as she hungrily slurped the coppery liquid down her throat. When the animal was completely dry she thew it down. She sighed as she felt it course through her dehydrated viens.

Standing again she began to again trudge through the dense forest. She could feel she was growing nearer. She could smell it in the air. She knew the racoon blood would only get her so far. She stumbled and as she laid on the ground she saw it, a path. Laughing hysterically she stood again. The thoughts of a warm place to sleep for the day and a meal made her bones ache and the hunger rise. She came upon a large rock formation and straining her eyes she saw a small alcove cut out in it. She almost screamed with joy. Quickly, with renewed hope she scaled the formation and stood in the alcove in a matter of seconds.

Looking down she noticed the state of her clothing. Torn and dirty. She tried to dust herself off, even pulling some twigs from her hair. When she realized what she was doing she laughed again.

"Unbelieveable," she laughed to herself, " I am starving and I am worrying about how I look."

With a sigh of hope she knocked at first softly but quickly her knocking grew louder as hysteria rose within herself.

***

Entertaining Distractions.

Author: Sir Guillaume FitzHenry

Date: 06-24-03 06:44

"Shall I retrieve our darlings for us, my love?" Narcissa asks Guillaume, referring to their two young servants.

"Indeed!" the vampire agrees. "And there is another. The young woman I gathered in town earlier. I've locked her in the bedroom at the top of the stairs, on the left. I brought her for the feast; although I'm not sure we need her, in the face of Sir Drakonic's and Somatra's generous gifts. I did sip from her a bit, so she should be becoming manageable if we want to save her for another night. I'll let you decide."

Guillaume hesitates a moment. Narcissa seems distracted.

"Doesn't that make sense?" he asks. "To save that one girl for later? It looks like we're going to be doing a lot of entertaining in the coming nights!"

***

Distractions

Author: NarcissaDAvalon

Date: 06-24-03 08:08

'You might want to watch your back with this one linnet. She may well become an...intrusion...between yourself and your best interests.' ...the voice wafted through her mind like heavy smoke from a cheap cigar. She knew instantly what that voice was talking about...Guillaume's enthusiasm with their newest guest Vladira. Just as she had found kindred spirit in Zalen as a new vampire, he found that spirit in Vladira as an elder...and it ate at her. She glanced casually around the room to see who sent the voice into her head, as not to cause a commotion, at least not yet, and could see the sneaking glances between Mat and Somatra, the tugs of smirks on their lips and their sharp gazes upon her. She couldn't be sure though as she was not adept at reading minds or hearing others thoughs. But she was quite certain of one thing...Vladira made her jealous and it was probably for the best that she left the room.

Guillaume had agreed with her however, with a strangely excited voice, to bring their slaves in to help with the current guests, as Briant was obviously tied up answering the door. How strange their quiet manor had become in the past few weeks, with the arrival of so many new faces, and the scent of so many mortals around them..it was almost confusing. The mixture of new and old, mortal and immortal, happiness and sadness...it was enough to want her to actually leave the room to gather the slaves, as she was not sure how to react to the many who now presented themselves and gathered.

She rubbed her hand up Guillaume's back to remind him of her affections for him and motioned for Zalen to follow. Perhaps they could talk quietly while they gathered the girls...learn more of each other, unlock his immediate mystery. She had gone into the library to gather the women, and found the room to be empty. "Laura? Tricia?"...she called out but only the flickering light of the fireplace is all that was heard. Surely they could not still be upstairs...could they? All she wanted was for Laura to gather Drakonic's gift, bathe Tricia and get downstairs...surely in the time she was downstairs, feeding and meeting with the others, this task could have been accomplished. She turned back to Zalen with a perplexed look on her face and he was wondering what she was looking for.

"Zalen, I don't know where our slaves are, but come upstairs with me. I just need to bring them down to help out in there."

She could see the expression on his face...'slaves? In this day and age?'....But that was no matter. He would learn soon enough about them and what their purpose was..and that thought made her chuckle. Again she took him by the arm to lead him back out into the open hallway and towards the grand staircase leading upstairs...it was a new part of the house for him to see, as he would need a room of his own anyways. Her long velvet skirt clung tightly to her hips as she walked slowly with him up each lushly carpeted stair.

"Zalen, I guess by now you've figured out you're a vampire. But you don't seem very accepting of that. What happened to you?"

She continued up the stairs, moving slowly so that they could speak of his short past before they reached the slaves before they heard their conversation of vampires.

***

Newest Guest {Briant}

Author: NarcissaDAvalon

Date: 06-24-03 08:26

Briant had just finished disposing of the young boy who was now DOA at the manor. He was finding himself perhaps a bit strained trying to serve the new guests and be rid of the corpse when he heard light knocking at the door with his exceptional hearing. As he moved from the kitchen towards the door, the knocking was becoming more fervent, more frantic, as if perhaps the person on the other side was trying to hide from something. He felt the kindred present on the other side and quickly opened the door to find the dirty, scruffy girl with a wild look in her eye. He felt a danger in this young one, but allowed her to come in anyways, as this was a haven for ALL kindred. He checked outside, peering into the night to make sure that she was not being hunted, and felt nothing else outside. He closed the door and looked her up and down raising a brow.

"Do you wish to clean up first before you join the others? Or perhaps you would prefer to eat?" He could sense the hunger in this scrawny guest and new there was plenty to eat here.

***

Entering the Manor

Author: Amantara

Date: 06-24-03 10:47

The door was answered by a butler. He was kindred but there was something different about him. Amantara was distracted by the sudden pain in her head. Then she realized, another blood line was in the manor. She would have to worry about that later, the pain from lack of blood was becoming intense. It was all she could do to listen when the butler spoke to her. He asked her if she would like to clean up or feed first. The need for blood was far greater than her own vanity.

"Please, I need to feed badly," she said in a strained voice.

Looking away from the butler Amantara glanced around the entrance hall. It was filled with antiques, she was sure the rest of the house was decorated in the same manor. She could sense several vampires in another room. A very young one, in fact she would bet that he was made that very eve. There were several other young ones. The ancient blood line, much like her own but very different. One nearly a century old, a male. She involuntarily groaned at the thought of a male. It had been so long.

With that thought Amantara felt her eyes closing, dawn had not broke, this was an exhausted sleep.

***

Past revealed

Author: Zalen Honowithe

Date: 06-24-03 13:46

Zalen moved along with her along the lush carpets as she spoke, for a time he remained silent, listening and pondering. Looking to her each and every time she spoke to try and

"Zalen, I guess by now you've figured out you're a vampire. But you don't seem very accepting of that. What happened to you?"

He paused in thought and his eye's grew distant as he tried to remember back to what had happened. He concentrated on the night that something had happened, and had changed his life. For better or worse.

"I know I am a vampire.. and do accept it even if its still a surprise...."

Once more his eye's go distant as he struggles to remember the time that had changed him. And he shakes his head in finality. If it was to come it will and trying as he was would not solve anything.

"I don't know.. I was at this night club and was dancing with this woman.. she was alluring.. much like you come to think of it," he steals a glance at her to see her reaction before he continues. "Well we left the dance floor and went to sit down in a corner booth and had a few drinks.. we were having a good time.. we began to have an even better time and then I can't remember what happened next"

He once more stole a glance to see her reaction to his words as they walked slowly. He returned his gaze to the path before them. His eye's showed a touch of mirth but not much else. He had placed to ball in her court, should she return it, the game would begin.

***

A Pleasure to Make Aquaintences

Author: Vladira

Date: 06-24-03 20:21

Vladira had finally met everyone in the room. Victor had sat next to her, and she could tell he was nervous. She had finally met Sir Guillaume FitzHenry. Lord Lucarda had mentioned about him.

Sir Guillaume's gaze at her was quite strange to her. She had wondered how old he actually was. She was, by calendar years, 121. But, she never really realized how long a vampire could live. She found a strange attraction to Sir Guillaume.

Victor was rubbing his hands along his lap, trying to calm them down. "Victor, what is it?" Vladira whispered.

He looked over at her. "I feel out of place. Who is to stop them from taking me?" Victor whispered back.

Vladira would not let that happen. She had offered him the chance of the immortality, but, he had refused. She even reminded him that even vampires have their weaknesses. He still didn't like the idea, just yet.

Now, all they had to do was wait, and find out why Vladira had to go to the manor. And what her destiny would be.

***

Amantras Rest {Briant}

Author: NarcissaDAvalon

Date: 06-25-03 06:01

Amantra nearly fell to the floor as her eyes closed into a much needed slumber, but Briant was quick enough to catch her before she hit the floor. This one did need to feed as she felt almost feather light, but she also needed to rest. But it was unclear if she was slipping into torpor or if she was only needing a few hours of rest. He carried her through the parlor in order to catch Guillaume's attention to show that they have a new guest, and carried her up to a plush room decorated in deep hues of blue and gold. Before he went upstairs however, he asked Somatra for one of the boys, Matthius to be exact, as he was a strong strapping young man. Somatra smiled at the butler's request and motioned for Matthius to help...perhaps she senses Amantra's need for blood as she so willingly allowed him to go.

"Come with me boy, someone should watch over her until she wakes up."

He laid her across the large bed allowng her to get the rest she needed. When she awoke, she would find the mortal boy waiting over her, and find herself able to feast as she needed, in privacy.

"Just wait in that chair. It seems she is a bit exhausted. Call for me if she looks like she needs medical attention."

Briant knew she didn't as it was only a cover to keep the boy in the room until she awoke to find herself happy and well kept.

***

Figuring his past

Author: NarcissaDAvalon

Date: 06-25-03 06:28

She let go of his arm as they walked down the hall and she stopped as he spoke. 'Much like yourself...' he said. She wondered if he was actually coming on to her now or if he was just trying to use an analogy to have her visualize the story. She didn't think much of it as he continued his story...the girl, the nightclub, the intimate moments in the corner. Yea, she had been down that road before as a mortal and a smile tugged on her lips.

"You don't remember anything huh? I'd beT anything either that girl was a vampire and turned you that night, or drugged you and left you somewhere for another vampire. Although I'd bet anything she was the vampire. But why wouldn't she keep you as her chylde? Why wouldn't she try to teach you anything like Guillaume is teaching me?"

She already knew that answer. Again it was old world versus new school. Perhaps the old world vampire had a sense of kindred, they knew their responsibilities and to make a chylde is like owning the most precious gem in the world. But to new kindred, turning someone is like taking another lover, perhaps comparable to having a one night stand. It was a sad revelation and perhaps that was Dahlia's goal...it dawned on her. To bring kindred together to eliminate the new world knowledge of vampires and their need to turn without thought. That would a question better answered by Guillaume though and saved for later.

"Well, either way Zalen, you're safe here. You don't have to be alone anymore and we should find you a room in the house. That's why I brought you up here, but I need to make a stop first."

She closed her eyes slightly for a moment trying to sense where her slaves were and it didn't take but a moment to smell and feel the mortal blood from her chambers. She opened her eyes again and looked to Zalen urging him to follow as they approached her and Guillaume's room. The door was slightly ajar and when she opened it, there stood Laura, along with ...another. The mortal she felt with Guillaume when he came in. Why was she with Laura? Did Guillaume ask Laura to retrieve her? Tricia was also in here as she asked her to gather and clean her, but they all should be downstairs by now. And where was the Princess? She wanted Laura to get Drakonic's offering for Guillaume to feast on, but she was not here either. So disobidient. Her gaze became fierce as she looked at Laura and a low growl eminated from her throat.

"Laura...."

***

A Discreet Request

Author: Sir Guillaume FitzHenry

Date: 06-25-03 06:43

Guillaume watches Narcissa go to fetch their servants, taking Zalen in tow. He finds it fascinating that Narcissa already has the confidence to take this lost Fledgling under her wing. He hopes that is the sole reason for her interest in the boy; her demeanor certainly says so. Guillaume knows the Kindred are traditionally a polyamorous group, but he has never been the sort to share his most prized possessions with anyone. There is nothing Guillaume values more highly than his beautiful Chylde.

There is a lull in the buzz of conversation in the room, just as Ian ends a tune. Guillaume takes advantage of this relative silence to pointedly clear his throat.

"Ladies and Gentlemen.... Excuse me, everyone," he announces. "It seems we have a little impromptu dinner party starting here. Narcissa has gone to fetch some additional servants... two lovely young women we brought to the manor to serve us... so that none of you should suffer an empty goblet nor a dull moment."

Guillaume looks at Somatra's remaining two companions. Their time is short, but even now he will have to chose his words carefully, lest any last minute panic by them should ruin the festive mood.

"As I believe is true of these two gentlemen here, our new serving girls are unaware of the true nature of our... exclusive society. I would ask that, when they are present, all of you watch what you say. They are wonderful servants, and I would hate to have them upset. You know what they say.... It's so hard to find good help these days!"

***

Finding the meal on a silver platter

Author: Amantara

Date: 06-25-03 11:18

When Amantara awoke, she didn't open her eyes. Instead she laid very still enjoying the feel of the lush, warm bed that cradled her. For a moment the thoughts of her trip were gone and she smiled. Alas, when she began to think about the bed she realized that she had no idea where she was, and that frightened her. Her crystaline blue eyes snapped open and she quickly sat up in the bed. Looking around the room, she saw it was beautifully decortated. It was truely fit for royalty.

It was only a moment before she noticed the scent of the mortal boy sitting in the chair. She turned her gaze on him, he simply smiled and asked if she would like anything to eat or drink. Amantara knew he had been there a while, she masculine scent in the room was strong. He had been watching her, that made her shiver. She had never let a mortal watch her sleep.

Suddenly, like a sleeping lion awakening the hunger roared to the surface, blocking out all other thoughts. The boy repeated the question, Amantara answered in a low growl,

"Yes, in a moment but first I would like for you to come closer to the bed. I want to get a good look at you."

The boy stood, he was tall, muscular, and was just what she needed. She had no idea if the boy had been left for a feed or if he was simply a servant, but she didn't care. When he stood next to the bed Amantara asked him to sit, he complied, staring deeply into her eyes. She leaned toward him, clouding his mind. His masculine aroma was intoxicating to her. She watching his vien pulse on his neck.

Finally when she could stand it no longer she sunk her fangs deeply into the young man's neck. Moaning as the sweet, life-giving liquid flowed into her waiting mouth. She swooned as she felt it filling her own dehydrated arteries, giving her renewed energy. The heart was slowing but Amantara couldn't stop herself. She pulled the blood from his body, not willing to waste a drop.

When the boy was completely dry, she let him fall to the floor. She laid back on the warm bed and groaned with satisfaction, for the moment. The hunger was still there but for the moment, it was saited. Amantara glanced around the room noting the blue and gold. Very nice, she knew this was the world known, Crimson Kiss, almost every immortal knew of this haven. Growing bold, she climed out of the bed and made her way toward the door.

She opened it and looked down the hallway, she heard voices, following them she found her way through the corridors to the kindred themselves. She stood in the door way not sure how to make an entrance, or even if she should. Never in her life has she felt so unsure.

***

Back to Reality

Author: Laura Anne von Hoeffner

Date: 06-25-03 13:44

Tricia, Deianira and Laura sit casually around the small bedchamber Tricia and Laura share, making small talk as they give Anna time to finish cleaning up and dressing. Naturally, the subject turns to clothes, as Laura explains her understanding that all the wonderful, top quality gowns, skirts, blouses and other clothing available to them are the remnants of the wardrobe of a prior resident of the manor.

"She must have had a ton of clothes," Deianira remarks. "I mean... If these are her 'leftovers'...."

"No kidding," Laura nods. Then, not realizing the literal truth reflected in her observation, adds, "I think it would take me a couple lifetimes to acquire just what I've seen here."

"Not me," Deianira chuckles. "I could do it in a month... As long as I had someone else's credit card!"

The girls continue chitchatting and laughing together... until the bedroom door suddenly creaks open.

"Laura!" Mistress Narcissa's fierce growl ends their conversation mid-sentence.

Laura shudders in the sudden silence.

***

The Best Medicine

Author: Sir Guillaume FitzHenry

Date: 06-26-03 06:19

The ill vampiress, to whom Guillaume had left Briant to tend, steps into the parlor doorway. Guillaume smiles. His instinct that it was better to let Briant minister to her needs than to leave the party himself has proven correct.

Guillaume approaches her. Her face remains wan, even by Kindred standards, but the opportunity to feed has obviously done much to reinvigorate her. Such therapy, of course, is one of the reasons why a sanctuary such as Crimson Kiss Manor is necessary, in these times more than ever.

"Welcome!" Guillaume declares as he steps up and offers his hand. "I am Guillaume FitzHenry. I am pleased to see you feeling better. Won't you come in and join us? This mansion has a most superbly stocked cellar, and I am sure a goblet of wyne is just what you need to top off your meal."

***

A Warm Welcome and an Inward Battle

Author: Amantara

Date: 06-26-03 11:11

Sir Guillaume FitzHenry had seen Amantara standing in the doorway. He gave her a rather warm welcoming, introducing himself. He had offered some wyne. She gladly accepted, the boy's blood was doing wonders but she was no where near full strength. Suddenly Amantara remembered what she must look like. She smiled her most charming smile hoping to make up for her appauling dress.

To any human Amantara would look like a rather petiet twenty-something woman. Her black hair was long, and her blue eyes were too bright to be human, but sunglasses usually solved that problem. She was sure that the other kindred saw what she truely was, an ancient vampire. She could easily kill these young ones, but she had no urge to do so. They had done her a great service and probably saved her from a terrible experience.

Amantara remembered it was her turn for an introduction. With her lilting accent she said,

"I am the vampiress Amantara. I am very please to meet all of you, and am grateful for the service you have done me."

A nagging voice in the back of her head said,

"You are not a vampiress you are a coward, sleeping away the centuries! You are disgrace to your race!"

Her eyes grew wide and a fire lit behind them, she fumed at the thoughts, even though they were her own. Coward! She had been in more battles than she could count. Stood and faced her own sire, and brought him down. Coward! Outraged at her own lack of confidence, she felt the sudden urge to break something. Holding in her anger letting it boil just beneath the surface she looked around the room.

She hoped no one had noticed her change in attitude, if they had, oh well.

***

Taking Notes

Author: Zalen Honowithe

Date: 06-26-03 12:18

Zalen followed Narcissa into the room he suspected to be hers, and was caught slightly off guard at the two on the bed. He had taken note at the few males that were present in the manor and the surpluss of females. This could be for good or bad in all truth.

He remained near the door, leaning slightly against the doorframe his arm's crossed over his chest as he watched the interaction between the three women he did not know and Narcissa. He especially noted the reaction from the one he assumed was Laura. He also took note of this new side to Narcissa. Observing the littler details as well as the larger ones for later use perhaps. He also examined each member of the room with a curios but critical eye, taking in the details of their posture as well as dress.

He looked to the other who had also gone silent and watched for a moment to gauge her reaction to Narcissa's entrance and obvious displeasment. He had no actual words to say, and debated on even breathing in the tensed silence. So he remained where he was, as he was and watched. Learning all that he can from a distance as he was prone to do much of the time.

***

Reorienting

Author: Aradia

Date: 06-26-03 16:12

Aradia awakes smiling into the fading vestiges of an already forgotten dream. In its place, she finds herself gazing into the remarkably pale, bright eyes of Asha's exquisite and exotic face. The smile lingers, and widens when Aradia sees the tray Asha holds.

"Good morning," Aradia purrs. Whatever the dream was, it has left her feeling warmly relaxed. The prospect of breakfast in bed simply magnifies her contentment. "Or is it evening? It's terrible, but I loose track when I am in Sanctuary!"

***

Venerable Vulnerability

Author: Sir Guillaume FitzHenry

Date: 06-27-03 06:29

"I am the Vampiress Amantara," the newest guest introduces herself. "I am very pleased to meet all of you, and am grateful for the service you have done me."

Amantara... Guillaume recognizes the name, an ancient Kindred, reputed by some to be even older than Dahlia herself.

But, unlike Dahlia -- whose gregariousness had led her to found and host a succession of Sanctuaries, including this one -- Amantara's reclusiveness is legendary. Indeed, it has been so long since she has been seen among the Kindred, that for centuries it has been rumored that she was dead. Obviously, those rumors were premature.

"The pleasure is ours," Guillaume replies automatically. "We were happy to help. Please have a seat. Someone will come along presently to fetch your wyne."

When she is seated, Guillaume goes around the room, introducing all still present, except for the two young men now attending Somatra. He stops next to the fireplace, leaning one hand against its smooth marble face, from where he can join in the conversation, even as he observes everyone's interactions.

He supposes he should have seen it coming. In many ways, Kindred society is no different from any other, and power politics is the engine of any civilization. Dahlia left for her sabbatical only a week or so ago, and already Vampiresses are swooping in from around the world to fill the conspicuous void she left behind.

It will still take some time for him to work out all the implications, but Guillaume is already certain of one thing. The arrival of Vladira and Amantara -- and who knows who else might yet arrive, seeking Dahlia's mantel? -- will prove a fascinating complication to Guillaume's plans to lead the Kindred in reasserting their deserved place as masters of this world... a complication, yes, although not necessarily an ultimately disadvantageous one.

And even as this thought crosses his mind, there is yet another knock on the mansion's door.

***