The Lost Soul

Author: Elsa von Spielburg

Date: 06-12-04 18:14

It was all I had left. Just a couple of dollars, and what was left of my dignity. Abused most of my life, I had enough. I left my home, getting away from dominating parents. They had been the type who used me for their own personal gain. What some might call "Hollywood Parents". Whether that moniker is true, I didn't know, really.

They entered me in beauty contests when I was just three. Then, it escaladed. Every year, a new pagent, more lessons in music, art, etc. I had enough! And I told them so!

Then, the abuse beacme worse. Anytime I spoke my mind, I was abused verbally and physically.

I was seated in a diner, alone. Alone. That was what I was, until I saw a rather pale looking woman walk into the diner. She looked around and found a place to sit. The waitress handed her a menu, and she looked it over slowly.

"Steak, medium rare, Please." She said. "With soda."

The waitress nodded and took the menu. As I sat sipping the cup of coffee I had, I looked into my pocketbook and found I had just enough to pay for that. I was sunk!

Then, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I looked up to see the woman was looking at me. She stood up and walked over to me.

"Mind if I join you?" She asked. I heard the slight accent in her voice.

"No. I don't care." I said, looking down into my coffee.

As she sat down, I felt strange being near her. I wanted to get up and leave, but, then, I felt something about this woman that was caring.

"When did you last eat?" She asked.

I looked up and shrugged. "Early yesterday. But...."

The woman held up a hand and smiled. "Waitress, bring this young woman the same thing I am having. Same check."

"Uh, make mine well done." I finished.

It had become quite dark outside, and I wondered why this woman found an interest in me. After she paid the check, we walked out together, and I started to walk away after saying "Thanks."

She took a hold of my hand and stopped me. "You are all alone? Why don't you come with me. I think I can help you."

I was apprehensive. A strange woman helping me out. I didn't know whether to run back into the diner and call the police, or join her. Then she asked my name.

"I..I'm Elsa von Spielburg. And you are?"

The woman smiled. "Well, Elsa von Spielburg, I am the Countess Vladira Lucarda. You may call me Vladira. You are of Germanic blood?"

I nodded. "Yes. My family came over from Germany over a century ago."

"Then, you will suit the position perfectly, Elsa. I am in need of an assistant. My last assistant has left, and I have not heard from her in a long time. Want the job? It pays quite well."

I thought for just a moment, then nodded. She led me to her SUV and we drove away into the night. No longer a lost soul, it appeared that perhapse I have found my own way at last!

~~~TBC~~~

Home Away From Home

Author: Vladira

Date: 06-12-04 18:56

I had found a diner to stop and rest for a bit at. Maybe even have something to eat. I had walked in and saw a young, blond haired woman seated alone. Obviously in dispare. The waitress handed me a menu and I made my order. As I continued to look at the young woman, I decided to join her. I asked if I might sit at the same table, she didn't really seem to care.

I tried to strike a conversation up with her, but, she seemed preoccupied,or was it something deeper? She fumbled a bit with her pocketbook as I offered her a good meal, then I told her it was on me. She seemed shocked.

Afterwards, as we walked out of the diner, I stopped her and offeredher some help.

"You are all alone? Why don't you come with me. I think I can help you."

She looked at me, startled. "What is your name?"I asked.

"I..I'm Elsa von Spielburg. And you are?"

I smiled. smiled. "Well, Elsa von Spielburg, I am the Countess Vladira Lucarda. You may call me Vladira. You are of Germanic blood?"

A she said yes, we seemed to hit it off. We both climbed into my SUV, after she put what belongings were with her into it, and we drove off into the night, down the highway. I wasn't too far from the newer manor house. I longed to see it. Even if Dei wasn't with me.

Elsa and I talked for quite a while, until she tilted the seat back and fell asleep. I could see her chest rise and fall slowly. I pulled over for just a moment and watched her. She was in a deep sleep. Most likely the first real sleep she had in quite some time. She turned her head to the right, and I could see her neck. Lightly tanned from being out in the sun, I envied her that. Then, I started up again.

As I looked down the road, I could see the turnoff to where the manor was. As I drove up into the mountains, it wasn't too long before I could see lights in the darkness. I was almost there!

As we finally reached the manor, I gently woke Elsa up. She rubbed her eyes and then sat back up.

"Where are we?" She asked, as she yawned.

"My home away from home. A friend owns the manor house. This is where we will be staying for a while."

As I parked the vehicle, we both got out and I saw the front doors open. I recognized the man walking towards us.

"Briant! So good to see you again!"

"Countess Vladira? Delightful to see you again as well, My Lady! I will bring your things in. Is that Deianira with you?" He asked.

I shook my head, slowly. "No. I lost her sometime back. I have been trying to find her, to no luck.

This is Elsa von Spielburg, my "assistant"."

He smiled a bit and nodded. As we got our things together, he led us in and led us to where the others were.

"My Ladies, Belladonna & Narcissa, the Countess Vladira Lucarda has arrived, with her assistant, Elsa von Spielburg."

I walked into the room and saw familiar faces. "Belladonna! Narcissa! So good to see you both again!" And I hugged them both.

~~~TBC~~~~

First Ladies

Author: Vampiress Belladonna

Date: 06-13-04 09:20

The four of them had settled in by the fire, with goblets filled by Briant with bloodwyne. Belladonna and Damiana sat in separate chairs flanking the hearth, and set at angles to allow them to enjoy both the fire and conversation in the room. Bianca and Davis shared a couch facing them, their arms around each other with the casual familiarity of passionate lovers.

"I have met those who were in the manor before," Davis confirmed, with just the faintest trace of Spanish accent. "But I'm curious to know why it was destroyed before."

"In Dahlia's absence, some of the residents of the last manor grew careless," Belladonna insisted, knowing she risked offending her company, but needing to establish the new regime. "We had too many Kindred over-hunting the area and making too many careless kills. Also, after Dahlia took me, two more woman were taken from the same household... Friends of mine... Sisters from my college sorority. That was too much for the authorities to dismiss as coincidence. Worst of all, at least two police officers were taken as prey!"

Belladonna paused to sip her wine. She herself would not have had the wisdom to recognize the folly of these actions, but she had heard Dahlia harangue about them often enough to learn the lesson. "Because of all that, two investigators came too close to learning the truth. When one showed up, snooping about the clearing, Briant had no choice but to incinerate the mansion. At that point, all was lost and killing another cop didn't matter. Unfortunately, his partner still lives: Ava Montgomery, a beautiful buxom blonde, from what I'm told." Belladonna winked playfully at Davis with that last comment. "We should keep an eye out for her."

Then her voice turned serious again. "Actually, lets hope she's no longer investigating the mystery we left her. She probably gave up long ago. After all, that was almost three years ago, and half a continent away. We couldn't just kill her like we did her partner; again it would be too much to be disregarded as coincidence. We would end up having to again destroy all that we have put so much effort into rebuilding."

Before anyone could respond, there was movement in the doorway from the foyer. Everyone followed Davis' gaze to a striking, curvaceous, red-haired woman who had slipped quietly into the parlor, looking uncertain as to whether she belonged there. She wore a tight beige gown that emphasized rather than covered the details of her perfect body, all accented by bold, heavy jewelry and saucy kid leather gloves.

Belladonna recognized her as Narcissa D'Avalon, Sir Guillaume FitzHenry's chylde. That perfervid pair, as much as, if not more than, any of the other residents of the last manor, were guilty of the excesses that led to its demise. Dahlia, and therefore Belladonna, had not blamed Narcissa for that; she was a mere fledgling at the time. But Guillaume should have known better. Just as Belladonna was about to stand to welcome Narcissa, Briant stepped through the door.

"My Ladies Belladonna and Narcissa," the butler began. Belladonna scowled at how he put Narcissa on parity with her. True, Narcissa had assumed the role of Mistress of the prior manor during its last couple of years, with Dahlia's tacit approval, but Belladonna saw that as her own role now. She hoped Briant was simply being polite to Narcissa, or trying to emphasize continuity to the rest, and was not giving Belladonna herself some sort of subtle hint of her true status. "The Countess Vladira Lucarda has arrived, with her assistant, Elsa von Spielburg."

Two women entered the parlor. One appeared to be a young mortal. The other Belladonna recognized as Countess Vladira, an odd but convivial vampiress whom Belladonna had met earlier that year during the final stages of construction on the new mansion. Belladonna rose and crossed to the door and Narcissa turned toward the newest guests.

"Belladonna! Narcissa!" Vladira squealed with enthusiasm as she hugged them in turn. "So good to see you both again!"

"Welcome to our new manor," Belladonna replied. As the group headed toward the warmth of the fire, Belladonna formulated how to make introductions. She did not know how much their human guest knew about the nature of her hosts, nor how much Vladira would want her to reveal. Until that was determined, she would avoid reference to vampires. "Vladira, Narcissa, have you met my other guests: the Ladies Damiana and Bianca, and Sr. Davis Santiago?"

Recollecting

Author: Countess Varsuviya Ignatious

Date: 06-13-04 18:13

The pleading tone in her voice, her hand resting so affectionately on me, full of lingering hope that I might remember all that she claimed we once had; stirred every inch of my body. Just the feel on her warm fingers against my flesh roused a sense of rememberance in me, as if I recoginzed the contact. Tears slowly began to fill my eyes as I suddenly seized Cassandra's hand and squeezed it as though it were dearest thing in the world to me.

"Cassandra.......I...think it is all coming to me now."

Her lips formed a slight, but not yet satisified smile. "Yes, and what do you recall?"

I kissed her hand, my tears falling on the tips of her fingers. "I don't...seem to remember much about the manor but it is just coming to me now.....the escapades we shared...the spectacular love making.......my dying affection for Victoria Kiss...."

My companion's face fell at the very mentioning of my former lovers name, although it was not uttered particularly affectionately. But Lady Kiss had truly been and would always be my first true love. How could I forget the wild menage a trois we had had with Lady Vladira's human servant?

"Cassandra, darling..has it really been two and half years since....."

She nodded and moved closer to me. "Times have changed, as I said before and the new manor is not yet complete. But my love for you can never be extinguished."

At these affectionate words, I felt a flush of guilt rush through me suddenly. How could I have forgotten her kiss, her caresses, the lovely British accent we both shared? I could not remember much about the old Crimson Kiss, but frankly, that didn't matter much to me anymore. I realized at that precise moment that I had my entire world sitting right beside me, her hand turning to my head to engage our lips in a passionate kiss. My throat felt dry; I was hungry for her and my blood boiled at our physical contact. I reached for her breast and pulled my lips from hers to press against her throat in a mock bite.

"Cassandra?" My voice came out hoarse and desire filled.

"Yes Varsuviya?"

"I want you to�.aww fuck it."

She laughed at my vulgarity."I didn't think that those of the royal entourage used such language."

I narrowed my eyes at her only so humored. Cassandra laughed soome more.

"It's all right baby, you needn't tell me with words. For your face betrays your every desire, your every wish.."

I sighed, feeling her hands run through my thick mane of brown hair; her mouth so close to my face I could feel her warmth breath tickling my nostrils and cheeks.

"Do you? Really?"

Cassandra nodded, her hands now roaming my more intimate places. Two years of foggy memories and moving around had apparently not put a damper on this woman's ability to please!

"Let's do this�just once before we reunite with the others. I've never had sex in the wilderness before. Have you?"

Before I could reply my "no" Cassandra was stripping away her top and jeans till she sat there clad only in her bra and knickers. She let her hair down across her shoulders, then turned and playfully grinned at me. I soundlessly followed her example my eyes scanning each and every delicious inch and curve of her. She was mine. Entirely mine.

Stark naked we lay in the bed of leaves, discarded clothes and rotting grass; bodies coiling and writhing against each other and our joint moans and sighs of pleasure rising and falling in the thick late afternoon air.

Coming Together

Author: Vladira

Date: 06-13-04 19:09

"Vladira, Narcissa, have you met my other guests: the Ladies Damiana and Bianca, and Sr. Davis Santiago?" Belladonna asked.

I nodded at them each as they were introduced. My gaze seemed a bit transfixed on Senior Santiago. But, I had begun to think that maybe he was already taken.

As Briant had handed me a goblet of wyne, I slowly sipped the warm liquid. Elsa was curious as to why she hadn't been served.

"This is a special beverage reserved for.... well, let us just say, you will be allowed something different. I don't think you can quite handle this vintage." I whispered

As I sat down, I had enjoyed seeing old friends again. And wondered where some of our other freinds were. Even Sir Guillaume wasn't amongst us. Narcissa seemed quite alone. I knew in a way how she must feel, not having my chylde with me. But, so some things must happen.

"Oh, by the way, has anyone heard any knews of my former uncle of late?" I said.

There was a bit of silence in the room. Then I heard someone say "Former uncle?"

I nodded after sipping some more wyne. "After Dei and I had gone to my homeland for a respite, and to oversee the restoration of Castle Lucarda, I saw to it that he was disowned. A bit of a family ceremony.

Vladmir Lucarda is no longer a part of my clan. And, he no longer posseses his titles or properties. I am sure he will try and hunt me down.

I haven't heard anything from or about him for almost a year."

Everyone seemed a bit shocked, but, after what he had done to me, it really was no surprise.

"So, a toast to the new Crimson Kiss Manor, and it's Mistress!" I said, lifting my goblet.

~~~TBC~~~~

What Did I Walk In To?

Author: Elsa von Spielburg

Date: 06-13-04 19:44

I had watched as Vladira was introduced to Ladies Damiana and Bianca, and Sr. Davis Santiago. It was though I wasn't even in the room! Even when goblets of wine were passed around, I was ignored. I wondered what the hell was going on! What kind of place was ths I walked in to?

As I watched Vladira sit, she had me sit down on the floor beside her. I didn't mind that too much. I was more comfortable on a hardwood floor, than on a chair or sofa.

They talked for quite a long time. Reminicing about another manor that they had lived in. It was all strange to me. Vladira was obviously hiding some sort of secret. But what?

I tried to speak, but, she would put a hand on my shoulder and lightly shake her head "No". I thought to myself How rude these people are!

Later, Vladira had found out from Briant where "our" room was. He led us to the second floor and led us down a long hallway. Then, he stopped in front of a large wooden door.

"Here is your room, My Lady. I do hope you approve of it." He smiled a bit.

As we walked in, we looked around. Vladira was amazed by the room. Even it's own bathroom was quite spacious.

"My compliments to Belladonna." He nodded and then left, closing the door behind him.

"Vladira, why am I being treated like I don't exist here?" I asked.

She turned and sighed. "There are many things you do not know yet, Elsa. I haven't been quite truthful with you. But, in time, you will understand what is going on. But, for now, how about a bath? I could use one."

I looked at her, shocked. "A bath? Why ask me?"

She smiled. "I just thought you would like to join me? There's room for both of us."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She removed her outfit and walked into the bathroom. I could hear the water being turned on and filling the tub. The smell of tropical flower bubble bath filling the air. Then, after a bit, a slight splash as I knew she had gotten into the tub. The water being turned off, and the sound of Vladira humming a waltz. I had the chance of running out of here, or staying. But, which was it to be? Then, curiosty got the better of me.

I walked over to the bathroom door and looked in. Vladira was neck deep in water and bubbles. She had her eyes closed and seemed quite content. Then for some reason, I gave in. She was the first person ever to be kind to me.

I disrobed and walked into the bathroom. I could see the steam in the air. As I neared the tub, Vladira stopped humming.

"I knew you would give in, Elsa. Come, it's quite relaxing." She said as she looked at me.

I slowly stepped into the tub, the water hot, but it felt good. I was so tired, that I didn't care how hot it was. As I slid into the tub, Vladira started to hum again.

"Blue Danube Waltz?"

Vladira nodded. "Yes. It reminds me of home."

As she continued to hum, I rubbed my arms. They were sore as were my legs. I hadn't relaxed like this in ages. Then, Vladira stopped humming.

"Elsa, there is something we must discuss."

"Yes, Vladira?"

She opened her eyes and leaned forward, staring at me. "Elsa, do you believe in vampyres?"

I shrugged slightly. "I guess. Why?"

She smiled. And, for the first time, part of her secret revealed. Glistening white....fangs! I was startled. I wanted to rush out of the room, to get away, but, I found something interesting about her.

"What do you want to know about us, Elsa?" She asked, as she sat back again.

~~~TBC~~~

Re-Introductions

Author: Vampiress Narcissa

Date: 06-14-04 05:45

She had taken a few steps forwards as the exuberant introductions were made, her emerald stare moving to Belladonna as she moved across the floor. She tried to smile, but she felt as if it were in vain, only eminating a Mona Lisa look at best as she stepped foward to the familiar faces.

She lofted a brow as she saw Davis and Bianca, smiling softly to them in greeting, also offering a silent greeting to Vladira and her new catch. Briant had come foward offering her a goblet of the sustaining bloodwyne as well as a greeting with a welcome back as her bags were taken the replica of the room she and Guillaume once occupied. She sighed as her gaze took in the new building, almost exactly like the old they were forced to flee. Her silence was stoic as she missed her sire suddenly, somehow not wanting to be here right now without him. But he always knew better, and his sense for her being here was probably a necessary function.

She stepped foward quietly, keeping her silence in tact as she merely took in the environment. Her last moments here were memories of the beast Union, and Guillaumes complete and utter anger with her, his vicious temper lashing out at her, and a night spend in agony and ecstacy. She closed her eyes and looked towards the fireplace, keeping that secret of her sires discipline to herself as she blended into the back of the room. Belladonna was clearly the mistress again, a role she neither wanted nor relished when they left before. Perhaps it left a bitter taste in her mouth as she was thrust into that position before. But these lands were different, as was the house, something she would perhaps come to love again.

Full House

Author: Damiana

Date: 06-14-04 07:26

The room was suddenly full of people, as Damiana looked sidewise at Belladonna, who had turned to greet the new guests. She had noticed the slight but lingering caress that the other Vampiress had given her hand before turning to greet the newcomers, Davis and Bianca. And then suddenly behind them, there appeared Vladira and another of her slave-girls, and then behind Vladira, Narcissa. Dami could see Rob in the hall, a bit trapped behind everyone else, but there was nothing she could do about it, and although he could be impatient, she was certain that this would be no more than a minor annoyance to him. She acquired a second glass of the bloodwyne from the bar and set it on the small occasional table that rested beside her chair. As the introductions (or re-introductions) were being made among the others, he sidled into the room past Briant, and joined her in the big wingback chair by the fire. "Misstress Belladonna," Damiana said from her new perch in Rob's lap, "I would like to introduce you to my sibling, Rob Baez."

Belladonna arched a brow, "Sibling?"

"Yes," Damiana replied, with a sardonic grin. "I've found myself to be so unsuited to raising 'children' that I thought having a brother would be in both of our best interests." She gently stroked the hand that she held. "Honestly Belladonna, I don't know what I would have done without him these past few years...I don't know how I survived for so long before..." She tilted her head around to look at Rob, who was watching Davis in that cat-like way of his, staring intensely, while somehow seeming to be looking anywhere else. "Before I had someone around who wouldn't hesitate to tell me to grow up! Or to shut-up!" She looked again at Belladonna, on impulse, reaching out and capturing the very tips of the fingers of the other Vampiress' hand with the tips of her own. "What happened to the previous Manor was my fault as much as anyone elses. And I do apologise. But it won't happen again, or at least not upon my account...those were the bad old days..." She tried to smile again, but all that came to her face was a sad little sidewise twist of the lips. She let the contact with Belladonna linger for a few seconds more, and then withdrew her hand. "Please excuse me, Mistress Belladonna. Narcissa and I had become rather more familiar to each other than I am to the rest of the company and I do not like to see her so despondant." At the slight nod of Belladonna's, she patted Rob's hand once more, and stood, taking her glass of wyne with her.

"Narcissa?" She said as she approached the other Vampiress. "How have you been?"

Proving our love

Author: Cassandra Belmont

Date: 06-14-04 10:11

Cassandra watched with awe as her lover removed every last piece of clothing she had been dressed in. God, she was so beautiful. Every curve was perfect, not a single hair ever fell out of place. How was it that everything about darling Varsuviya was a wonder?

Cassandra gently approached her lover and they lay together for a moment in the leaves. She gently ran her hand down her lover's leg as Cassandra remembered what it was like to love her once more. Then, she carefully placed a tender, loving kiss upon her thigh and pulled her close. She had never been happier. She really didn't have any idea what she would have done without Varsuviya by her side. She would have been lost without her.

Cassandra just lay there, wrapping her arms and legs around her lover and let her take control. She wanted to prove to her that she was hers for eternity, she would never leave her side for another single moment. She wanted to prove to her just how much she loved her, for Cassandra had honestly never felt the same way about another being before. Many of them had been careless flings or single nights of passion that were purely an accident.

And so it continued. Cassandra held Varsuviya close to her as she felt her lovers lips upon her own once more and felt her touch, sending goosebumps up her spine. Cassandra simply let her lover take control as she wrapped her arms and legs around her own sweet body and felt Varsuviya kiss and caress her so lovingly, the way she used to do years ago. Varsuviya continued to pleasure Cassandra in ways that had been unknown to her before this day. Nobody had ever loved her this way, and she could tell Varsuviya loved her, even without her words.

Eventually, the two grew tired and lay by each others side in the leaves, hand in hand, sweating and hot from their moment of passion. Cassandra was content just gazing into her sweet lovers eyes and placed another tender kiss upon her sweet lips. She was so content just holding her close to her, feeling her presence close to her. As long as Varsuviya was there with her, she would have nothing to fear. If this isn't love, Cassandra told herself, then hell knows what is.

"My love.." Cassandra muttered to herself as she kissed Varsuviya once more upon her slender neck.

"My love.." she began again. "I know.. I know this may sound a little awkward coming from me, especially since this event has made us feel like we have lost so much. Yet.. Varsuviya, know this. I never left you, and I never plan to. You are truly everything I live for my darling. Hell, without you I would never survive! I wouldn't have anything to live for. My darling, I know it seems like you don't know me as well as you should, but we never parted, believe me. I have always been here for you.. I love you."

Cassandra had been nervous about muttering these words to her lover, but Varsuviya remained calm throughout the whole speech. She simply lifted Cassandra up off the ground and held her close once again.

"I do not believe we ever parted, my dear Cassandra" she told her with a kiss. "Now, shall we attempt to rejoin the others?"

Varsuviya and Cassandra both retrieved their clothes from the forest floor and slowly dressed themselves once again. How was it that Cassandra had managed to be this lucky? She had never done anything to deserve what she had found. Maybe she's my angel, she said with a giggle.

Casssanda gently took her lovers hand in her own and smiled up at her. She hoped Varsuviya understood what she had said about leaving her. She never intended too. For if she did, Cassandra knew she would have nothing to live for. She would be a lost soul wondering the Earth for no reason. Varsuviya really was her reason to live. Without her, she was only half a woman.

Lessons of Being Vladira's pt. 1

Author: Vladira

Date: 06-14-04 19:00

I opened my eyes slightly to see Elsa walk into the bathroom. She stepped into the tub and slid into the water. I felt her left leg brush against me. How it sent a wave of pleasure along my body.

As I told her, and showed her, my story. She became fastinated in what I told her. She hung onto each word. She felt as though she was kindred herself. But, she wasn't.

"Vladira, how many servants have you had?" She asked."Some back home, not many, but, I have had 4 since I had first come to the US. My first, I killed after I had made him my chylde, and he disobyed me. I had no choice.

Then, came Deianira. After about a week, I made her my chylde, as she was quite willing, and wanting. I let her have my third servant, Derek, who was a servant of mine a couple of days. Alex, whom I gave to my friend, Countess HathorRa, and now, there's you."

Elsa sat back again, and looked puzzled. "What do I do then?"

I sighed. "Many things, Elsa. You serve me, as well as please me. Do well, and you are rewarded. Do badly, and you get punished. I very seldom punish my servants. I don't much like doing that."

She looked around the bathroom and shrugged. "So, I serve you more as a slave then?"

I nodded slighty. "When we are in private, not as much. But, when we are with the others, you must be careful what you do, and not to speak unless spoken too. Mortals are underlings to we kindred."

She managed to understand what I was telling her. I was amazed that she did. As our bath ended, I stood up first, and she watched me step out of the tub. She followed me, and I saw her grab a towel. I started to towel myself off, when she brought up her towel and gently rubbed my back.

I grabbed the doorway and closed my eyes. She was quite good at toweling me off. Her hands continuing up and down. I soflty moaned, and she stopped.

"Better?" She asked.

I turned and saw her. She held the towel at her side, and smiled. Her skin had signs of having enjoyed the sunlight. She was well tanned. Obvioulsy she had enjoyed sunbathing in the nude. Her golden hair suited her. Her breasts were well rounded and lustful, as was her entire figure. I had found a new servant that was willing to please. I put my right hand on her shoulder and let my thumb stroke her left cheek. She closed her eyes and sighed.

"Almost. There is one more thing that must be done. Come with me."

She followed me over to the bed and she sat beside me. As I turned to face her, she trembled a bit.

"This will hurt a bit. It is necessary, as you become my servant. Do not be afraid, Elsa. I will not let you fall."

She looked at me with widened eyes as I leaned towards her.

"What....what are you going to do?" She whispered.

"Uniting us as Mistress and Servant. Just be calm, and do not move."

I heard her breath deeply as I gently pressed my lips to her neck. I felt the pulse point, and pierced her flesh. She gasped and then moaned as I allowed my tounge to lick her crimson wyne. As she trembled, I pulled her closer to me as I took her. Then, it was over. I had not taken much. Just enough for the ritual. As I withdrew my fangs, I licked the wound closed.

I looked at her, and she had lasped into unconciousness. I lay her onto her side and let her rest. Her golden hair stretching out. I let her sleep.

After about 5 or 10 minutes, she woke up again. She tried to sit up, but I stopped her. As she rubbed her neck, she moaned slightly.

"What....what happened?"

I smiled. "We are united as Mistress and Servant. Now, just rest. You will recover nicely." As I moved her over to the pillows to allow her to sleep, I got up then and moved over to the window. As I opened it, the night air hit against my bare skin.

"Dei, where are you?" I whispered.

Then, I turned to look back at Elsa. I knew that she would suit me just fine.

~~~TBC~~~

Lonely at the Top

Author: Vampiress Belladonna

Date: 06-14-04 21:52

The greetings, toasts and small talk of reintroduction over, at least for the time being, Belladonna found herself in conversation with Damiana and her companion, Rob Baez, but it didn't last long.

"Please excuse me, Mistress Belladonna," Damiana entreated after an incongruously tantalizing caress of Belladonna's fingertips. "Narcissa and I had become rather more familiar to each other than I am to the rest of the company and I do not like to see her so despondent."

Belladonna hesitantly dismissed the beautiful and alluring vampiress with a slight nod. That left her facing Bianca and Davis, who shared a couch facing the fire. The couple seemed ill at ease in her presence, especially the lovely Bianca, who had been the first to address Belladonna by her proper title of "Mistress." It occurred to Belladonna that she intimidated them slightly, and that she could not have it both ways: If she wanted recognition as Mistress of this manor, then she would have to accept that the Kindred would never feel completely at ease in her presence.

Was this the reward she would harvest for nearly three years of hard work and lonely deprivation? She could count on one hand her visits with Dahlia during the past thirty months. It seemed like forever since she had known the ecstacy of her own kind, having instead to suffice on the fleeting pleasures mere mortals could bestow in the moments before they became her feast. Now worse, at the culmination of her efforts, she found herself stranded on an unseen pedestal she'd inadvertently built within these very walls.

Belladonna suddenly began to understand the frustrations that had driven Dahlia to seek seclusion abroad. She could not fulfill her duties to the Kindred as Mistress of their Sanctuaries, and still find easy companionship among them. The best she, and Belladonna as her surrogate, could hope for was a comfortable middle-ground.

"So tell me, Bianca... Sr. Santiago," Belladonna purred convivially as she leaned toward the cuddling couple. "Was it difficult these past few years... needing to get by in the mortal world with no Sanctuary... no safe place like this you could call home?"

Encouragement

Author: Vampiress Narcissa

Date: 06-15-04 05:28

Sipping the bloodwyne brought back more memories of the old manor, as Vampiress Dahlia's wynes had a distinct and sweet taste, not like the wyne she was getting used to at Guillaume's manor in England. His was a harsher taste, more metallic, a deeper cherry taste. It was good to taste the sweeter wyne however, and she closed her eyes momentarily, before being approached by Damiana. Her emerald stare flickered open, landing on Belladonna, remembering their last encounters, her body still infused with her essence from a moment so long ago. Her kinship that she felt with Belle was long gone however, and she merely flickered her gaze back to Damiana, slipping out of the memories.

"I am fine Damiana, just trying to readjust is all." That was only the half truth, as she wanted to be here, but wanted to run back to England to be with Guillaume even more. She had stayed under his wing and felt confident, felt loved, and beautiful with him...he made her feel alive again.

"Tell me what you've been doing all this time? Where did you go off to when the manor was ...destroyed?"

Her gaze flickered back to Belladonna as she said that, still keeping her quiet stance in the corner. She wanted little to do with conversation really, and only felt the urge to move to her room and spend the rest of her time in solitude. But Damiana's presence made her feel a little more social, which was probably better off for her.

Feeling Comfort

Author: Bianca The Bloody

Date: 06-15-04 09:52

"Was it difficult these past few years... needing to get by in the mortal world with no Sanctuary... no safe place like this you could call home?" Belladonna asked, addressing Bianca and her beloved Davis.

"Actually, Mistress," Bianca began, still refering to Belladonna as Mistress, "Davis and I took the time to travel America. We found ourselves in California for most of our trip." Davis remained quiet for a moment while Bianca went on. "It was not all the difficult to stay hidden in the shadows when needed. And the abundant population of that state seemed to help with the certain disappearances of mortals. I have to say my favorite place we went was San Francisco...but for no real reason. It just had a certain charm to it that was comforting to me." There was a moment of silence between the three Kindred. Bianca relaxed in the arms of her lover a moment, then addressed the Mistress once again. "And in the time of rebuilding, did you remain here, or did you take the time to travel as well?"

Bianca wasn't sure if it was too personal of a question to ask, but she wanted to continue the conversation with Belladonna. It was a good feeling that Belladonna had taken time out of mingling with the other Kindred, that she seemed to know much better, to talk with Bianca and Davis. Bianca smiled at Belladonna, if only to show her appreciation for the warm welcome she and her lover were receiving.

Travels

Author: Damiana

Date: 06-15-04 11:22

"I am fine Damiana, just trying to readjust is all." The fire-haired Vampiress told her, still sounding rather subdued. "Tell me what you've been doing all this time? Where did you go off to when the manor was ...destroyed?"

"Oh dear...there's quite a lot to tell there! Wouldn't you be more comfortable sitting down? There's that empty little chaise, just there..." Damiana pointed to a small piece of furniture, just big enough for the two of them to sit side by side. Not too far from the rest of the company to seem as if they were excluding themselves, it was still enough distant that it could be considered (if you wanted to) relatively private, and separate. "Let's sit and talk a bit." Not waiting for the other Vampiress' answer, Damiana led the way to the small lounge, talking all the while, and hoping that the other would follow her. "We've traveled quite a bit, just to see what we could see, really. Neither of us wanted to settle down again too quickly, I suppose because neither of us really cared too much for setting down roots again, so soon after losing one home." Dami followed Narcissa with her eyes as she came and sat down. Why was she so hesitant, so unlike the Vampiress that she was before? Damiana herself had gone through significant changes herself over the last five years, but this just didn't seem right. Had something happened, or was Narcissa just not really feeling up to company? Or was there something between Narcissa and Belladonna that caused Narcissa to be so subdued?

As curious as she was, Damiana didn't want to pry, and so continued to talk about the various travels that she and Rob had diverted themselves with in their absence. "We went from place to place from the very beginning, starting with Europe. You'll have to ask Rob about that, he was much more interested, at least until we got to the polar regions and had 24 hour nights...that was fun..." Damiana trailed off with a slight smile, remembering one particular 'night' of excess. Giving herself a little shake she picked up the thread of her thoughts once again. "I'm much better at other things, than I am at having a good time. We spent quite a few months among the elder Vampires in Asia and Africa and South America, learning about our kind, our history. That was what I enjoyed the most probably, although travel itself holds some kind of charm for me. We finally settled down in Washington earlier this year, which was when I really began to work on my polish...although Rob managed to knock off most of the rough edges..." Damiana sighed and shook her head. "I do hope I wasn't really as awful as I seem to remember.

"But as I was saying, I began to watch and mimic diplomatic society, it's fairly easy to get into events, after the first time. Well, if you make certain that the initial event was a big enough affair. I had the added advantage of being older than pretty much everyone in the city, I know who was who and where thier money and power came from and was able to use that information to get access. Once you've found yourself dancing and dining with kings and Prime Ministers and whole entourages of delegates, you learn a very fine level of control. And you come to understand a very broad array of political distinctions, that are actually more socially-driven than anything else. I could tell you so much about the proper way to tell a Malaysian price that he's dancing on your toes that you'd scream, but fairly little about anything that could be considered actual legislation. No one in Washington seems to work; not once was anything of import discussed, at least not that would affect us. Most of it, I didn't really pay attention to, after a while. I was more interested in manners and society, and how such things could be made useful to me.

"And what about your own adventures in the last few years? Where have you been, and what have you seen?"

Lessons of Being Vladira's pt. 2

Author: Elsa von Spielburg

Date: 06-15-04 19:13

I had never been so afraid, until then. As I toweled her off after we left the tub, she seemed to enjoy my touching her. I had never in my life done such a thing as this. But, then she turned and looked at me, I could see in her eyes that she found me quite alluring. I didn't know what to do or say.

As she led me back into the bedroom, Vladira had me sit beside her on the bed. I trembled as I looked down at the florr, then up at her.

"What....what are you going to do?" I whispered.

"Uniting us as Mistress and Servant. Just be calm, and do not move." She whispered back.

I felt her lips press against my neck. Then, the pain of her fangs piercing my flesh. I wanted to scream, but, found I couldn't. I actually found it strange. Then, I started to feel light headed. She realeased me, and I fell into unconciousness. Nothing but darkness.

I could feel her hand on my upper left arm as she moved it up along to my neck. She must have been trying to see if I was still alive. I don't know how long I was out, but, when I had awoken, she was smiling down at me.

"Don't move for now, Elsa. You just rest. I am going back downstairs to talk with the others. Get some sleep."

She got up and got dressed. As she went out the door, I closed my eyes and fell asleep. I wondered what she had in mind next for me....

***