The Turning

[Niceandbrutal]

"Did you love her Benoit?"

"Not like I love you. I fed off her a couple of times. She enjoyed it immensely, as did I. But my true feelings for her ran more along the lines of pity and tenderness. She'd had a tough, harsh life. Despite that she always radiated joy an warmth outwards. She was a consummate actress, more so than most people realize. She confided in me when she was passed around as a plaything from directors to producers to politicians."

Anger crept into his voice.

"They killed her. Not directly of course, oh no. They broke her spirit completely then let her die alone in bed. We had no calling, she and I. But if I could have saved her, I would. Yes, she died young. And left the world a poorer place. After her demise I secluded myself more and more, wanting as little as possible to do with the machinations of powerful and lustful men. So yes, in a fashion maybe I did love her. But not with the same soulsearing intensity that i love you. Never doubt that, Natasha."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She listened to his reply and felt sorry for the beautiful woman who Benoit had loved, even if not as he did her.

"So yes, in a fashion maybe I did love her. But not with the same soulsearing intensity that i love you. Never doubt that, Natasha."

She knew he was speaking the truth. In their short acquaintance Natasha knew that Benoit was always totally honest with her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to drag up painful memories. I could tell she meant a lot to you ... it must be terrible to live so long and lose people who you care for..."

Belatedly she reflected on his suggestion.

"I think I would like Faye to know ... I'm not sure about the others yet ... "

She wasn't sure when and how she would broach this with her friend.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to drag up painful memories. I could tell she meant a lot to you ... it must be terrible to live so long and lose people who you care for..."

"It is quite alright, Natasha. The painful memories of her are tinged with the sweet ones. You'll learn that most people won't hold your interest after a while, while others you'll remember as acutely as if they'd just left the room. Byron and Shelley are two such persons, of course. And her. I think, had I met her under different circumstances, I'd try to befriend Faye and confide in her, maybe even feed off her. But she is your friend and feeding off her is strictly taboo. But I hope she'll grow to be a good friend to us both. She is truly a remarkable woman, radiating strength and tenderness both."

He looked at her, an open look.

"I will repeat what I said to you earlier; feeding off your friends is strictly off limits. And I do not recognise any of their faces, meaning I haven't already fed off them. I tend to remember the faces I do feed off of."

There was a knock on the door, and one of the serving girls entered. She stopped, sensing she'd intruded on a private moment. Benoît gestured her inside and she hurriedly cleared away the rest of the food, placing it on a trolley before leaving the room.

"And I never feed off the staff either. That's just sound policy, I think."

"But I digress. Yes, she should be told. How to broach the subject? I see two possibilities. Either tell her before you turn or after. Whichever one you choose she'll want proof. Either you or I can provide that, but she must be eased into it. And under no circumstances must we use hypnosis to convince her. That would be to violate her and I will not have it."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"It is quite alright, Natasha. The painful memories of her are tinged with the sweet ones. You'll learn that most people won't hold your interest after a while, while others you'll remember as acutely as if they'd just left the room. Byron and Shelley are two such persons, of course. And her."

Natasha noticed how he casually dropped in famous names. He had told her of his long life, but she still had a lot to get her own head around, let along her friends.

"I think, had I met her under different circumstances, I'd try to befriend Faye and confide in her, maybe even feed off her. But she is your friend and feeding off her is strictly taboo. But I hope she'll grow to be a good friend to us both. She is truly a remarkable woman, radiating strength and tenderness both."

To Natasha that was a compliment, but it raised the issue of feeding once more.

"I will repeat what I said to you earlier; feeding off your friends is strictly off limits. And I do not recognise any of their faces, meaning I haven't already fed off them. I tend to remember the faces I do feed off of."

The entrance of a young girl interrupted them so Natasha remained silent s the food was cleared away.

"And I never feed off the staff either. That's just sound policy, I think."

He said then continued to discuss Faye.

"But I digress. Yes, she should be told. How to broach the subject? I see two possibilities. Either tell her before you turn or after. Whichever one you choose she'll want proof. Either you or I can provide that, but she must be eased into it. And under no circumstances must we use hypnosis to convince her. That would be to violate her and I will not have it."

His words confused her.

"Hypnosis? You can do that?"

She queried.

Benoit had been honest with her and Natasha knew she owed him the same.

" ... I understand what you're saying about not feeding from my friends ... but ... the idea of you feeding from others ...it will take me a while to get used to ... "

She confessed.

"And the idea that I would have to feed from others as you do ... well .. from what you say it I'll feel differently once I'm turned but ... "

She couldn't help feeling confused about it all ...

"It's not so easy not to be jealous, Benoit ... "

She confessed...

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"Some times I have to resort to hypnotism to get my will. To me this is a last ditch effort when I am truly desperate. I feel it is a violation of another person's mind. I can do it at will, but I prefer not to. I've known of other vampires doing it instead of working for their food. But it is all the much sweeter when it is given freely. Then, those I feed off leave satisfied if a bit groggy."

She seemed to really hate the thought of seducing and feeding off others like he himself did.

"The feeding will appear differently to you when you've turned. It is a necessity for us to sustain ourselves without violating those we feed off of. That is, not strictly a necessity. Those without conscience hypnotize and violate. The more compassionate of us seduce and let our victims have a pleasant experience. It's not anything personal, just compassion for them. Do you see the distinction? Don't be embarassed to ask more questions of me. I relish the thought that you go into this with full knowledge of what this entails. A choice I never was given."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She listened to his explanation, learning about how things worked...

"... The more compassionate of us seduce and let our victims have a pleasant experience. It's not anything personal, just compassion for them. Do you see the distinction? Don't be embarassed to ask more questions of me. I relish the thought that you go into this with full knowledge of what this entails. A choice I never was given."

She reached across and kissed his lips.

"Thank you Benoit ... I'm just trying to understand ... and I trust that once turned it will all feel ... different ... but until then ... you must of course do what you must to feed ... "

She told him with a soft smile.

"I guess we have to make some decisions as to how this is going to work ... were you serious about me co-managing this place? Or did you want me to push to get an interview printed... you seemed quite eager for that, even if it was just a way of explaining our first meeting ... "

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"I thank you for understanding me, Natasha. It would cause me great turmoil if I were to upset you just to sustain myself. And I assure you that the feeding will appear different once you turn."

"As for you co-managing this place, that rather abrupt offer was meant seriously. It just occured to me that it could help explain a nocturnal pattern to your friends if you don't desire to divulge our secret. Incidentally, I am most grateful that you played along like you did when I had to, ah, improvise like that. It was gracious of you to back me up like that. Thank you. As for the interview, why not? One proviso, though: No photographies. At least not of me. You can portray me as vain or mysterious or shy, I care not. But I got some snoops from the press after me during my stint with her." He again nodded at the starlet's picture. "One of them even went so far as to bring to light my 'strange nocturnal habits'. She put a stopper to that, even explaining my nocturnal habits away as photosensitivity."

He smiled at the memory. She'd been livid. She was always fiercely protective of those closest to her.

"So I guess my answer is 'both'. First the interview, then co-managing, if you should so desire."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I thank you for understanding me, Natasha. It would cause me great turmoil if I were to upset you just to sustain myself. And I assure you that the feeding will appear different once you turn."

She could understand how that might be so. In some ways once they were the same that aspect of his existence would be easier to understand.

"As for you co-managing this place, that rather abrupt offer was meant seriously. It just occured to me that it could help explain a nocturnal pattern to your friends if you don't desire to divulge our secret. Incidentally, I am most grateful that you played along like you did when I had to, ah, improvise like that. It was gracious of you to back me up like that. Thank you."

She smiled.

"I would never contradict you in front of my friends... we hadn't got that far in our plans and as you say, it did sound like an attractive and plausible offer ..."

She told him.

"As for the interview, why not? One proviso, though: No photographies. At least not of me. You can portray me as vain or mysterious or shy, I care not. But I got some snoops from the press after me during my stint with her. One of them even went so far as to bring to light my 'strange nocturnal habits'. She put a stopper to that, even explaining my nocturnal habits away as photosensitivity. So I guess my answer is 'both'. First the interview, then co-managing, if you should so desire."

She sighed.

"Guess I'm going into work on Monday then ... "

She concluded.

"I'll make some enquiries about submitting a new article and see if there's any interest .... "

She considered the dual offer.

"Perhaps rather than an interview, you could show me around as an introduction to becoming co-manager ... and I'll ask any specific questions which I think I'll need for the article ... kill two birds with one stone as they say?"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"Guess I'm going into work on Monday then ... "

"Keeping up appearances is important now. You have to at least appear to weigh your options carefully. If we rush things, it might cause undue attention, even suspicion. And we do want to do this right."

"I'll make some enquiries about submitting a new article and see if there's any interest .... "

He feigned shocked disappointment, a humorous gleam in his eyes:

"You will 'see if there's any interest'? For this, my club, the hub of this city's nightlife!? Shocked, yes shocked I am!"


"Perhaps rather than an interview, you could show me around as an introduction to becoming co-manager ... and I'll ask any specific questions which I think I'll need for the article ... kill two birds with one stone as they say?"

"Now THAT is an excellent idea, my dear! You are a sharp one."

He leaned in and kissed her, a long passionate kiss.

"My love" he whispered.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Keeping up appearances is important now. You have to at least appear to weigh your options carefully. If we rush things, it might cause undue attention, even suspicion. And we do want to do this right."

She saw the common sense of his words, then laughed at his response to her daring to suggest that interest in his club might be lacking.

"You will 'see if there's any interest'? For this, my club, the hub of this city's nightlife!? Shocked, yes shocked I am!"

He seemed impressed by her suggestion that she be shown round as a perspective co-manager.

"Now THAT is an excellent idea, my dear! You are a sharp one."

His kiss prevented her from further discussion on the subject for some time.

"Benoit ... "

She murmured his name as her body pressed against his. It felt as if she had found the other half of her to make her complete and could not help but marvel at it.

"I so want to share your life, your interests, understand all I can what it means to be turned and work out how we can do this without causing undue distress to those around us ..."

She told him softly.

"This club is amazing ... and I really think I can work out a way to set up a transition between the job I have at the moment and move into the position you're offering me ... "

Her journalistic mind was working overtime.

"If I write this as a diary, a personal narrative ... as I learn about the scene and the club ... you've heard this evening how much misconception there is out there ... a series of articles would promote everything you stand for. I could spend time here as part of my day job and my articles would provide a perfect rationale for my deciding to resign and work here full time ... What do you think?"

She asked him, excited by the idea.

"I just have to sell them the idea and convince them that there really is a market for this type of story ... which might be trickier than you'd think..."

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"I so want to share your life, your interests, understand all I can what it means to be turned and work out how we can do this without causing undue distress to those around us ..."

"I too want to share my life with you. I hope you'll take an interest in what interests me, and I hope you won't hesitate to share your interests, my sweet. This is a two-way street, and though I've lived longer than you I can't claim to know all, or know more than you. That would be presumptuous. I look forward to being with you as much as possible. I think you should go and have lunch with faye tomorrow, by the way. Ease her into the transition."

"If I write this as a diary, a personal narrative ... as I learn about the scene and the club ... you've heard this evening how much misconception there is out there ... a series of articles would promote everything you stand for. I could spend time here as part of my day job and my articles would provide a perfect rationale for my deciding to resign and work here full time ... What do you think?"

"I love the idea. And I wholeheartedly agree with you. It IS a good transition. And I'd love for you to clear up the misconceptions and myths surrounding the goth milieu."

"The best way to sell the idea, I think, is to challenge your editor or editors regarding your magazine's target group. The challenge lies in keeping your old readers while getting new ones in the bargain. You could do exposés on rastafarianism, SHARP's, rockabillies, synth fans, industrial... the list goes on. Any subculture with their own distinct style of clothing and musical preference is worth delving into, if you ask me. Raising awareness and de-mystifying is a good way to build bridges. I think this would be a good way to sell the concept of you being 'Miss Undercover' at a goth club."

He chuckled a little. "Nancy Drew and the dark secret club!"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I too want to share my life with you. I hope you'll take an interest in what interests me, and I hope you won't hesitate to share your interests, my sweet. This is a two-way street, and though I've lived longer than you I can't claim to know all, or know more than you. That would be presumptuous. "

She loved that they could truly share everything together. She enjoyed writing and had always aspired to either more serious journalism and held a secret ambition of writing her own novel. She loved reading and music and the arts and was eager to learn much more...

"I look forward to being with you as much as possible. I think you should go and have lunch with faye tomorrow, by the way. Ease her into the transition."

Natasha thought speaking alone with Faye would be a good idea, a way of gauging the girl's real response to Benoit and their romance. She was pleased that he was encouraging about her personal narrative idea and even gave her hints as to how she might 'sell' the idea.

"... You could do exposés on rastafarianism, SHARP's, rockabillies, synth fans, industrial... the list goes on. Any subculture with their own distinct style of clothing and musical preference is worth delving into, if you ask me. Raising awareness and de-mystifying is a good way to build bridges. I think this would be a good way to sell the concept of you being 'Miss Undercover' at a goth club. Nancy Drew and the dark secret club!"

She laughed at his enthusiasm.

"I suppose investigating those subcultures might be interesting ... though I'm not sure I'd be able to write as convincingly about them ..."

She told him uncertainly.

"I guess it depends whether I want to keep on being a journalist, or turn my hand to other things ..."

She wrapped her arms around Benoit and held him close.

"... As long as we're together, then I'll be happy .."

She told him contentedly.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"That makes me happier than you can imagine, my sweet. And I didn't suggest you investigate all of those subcultures. I meant merely that you could suggest for your editors that they could have themed editions. Of course, I've no doubt you'd manage to write about those subcultures."

He ran his fingers through her hair absentmindedly, enjoying the soft touch and her scent.

"As for you continuing as a journalist, I can see one or two problems with that after your turning. Not insurmountable problems, of course. And if I were to, say, sponsor or outright buy the magazine I'd probably be able to hush any queries directed at you."

He continued stroking her hair with one hand while hugging her with his other arm. He kissed her again. "I can't get enough of you, my dear."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"That makes me happier than you can imagine, my sweet. And I didn't suggest you investigate all of those subcultures. I meant merely that you could suggest for your editors that they could have themed editions. Of course, I've no doubt you'd manage to write about those subcultures."

She purred as his fingers ran through her hair, loving the sensation of his lithe fingers combing through her dark tresses.

"As for you continuing as a journalist, I can see one or two problems with that after your turning. Not insurmountable problems, of course. And if I were to, say, sponsor or outright buy the magazine I'd probably be able to hush any queries directed at you."

She was reminded about the comment as to Benoit being wealthy, which though she was unaware of the extent of his fortune, she was sure it was ample.


"Perhaps I'll write fiction ... or go freelance ... "

She murmured distracted by his touch, her words cut short by his deep kiss.

"I can't get enough of you, my dear."

She flushed with pleasure.

"... nor I you ... your touch ... it feels so incredible Benoit .. "

She told him breathlessly.

" ... will it be so when I've turned ... will our love making be as passionate without feeding from me...?"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"If my lovemaking with Madeleine is anything to go by, then yes. The passion, once I forgave her, was equal to or greater than anything I'd felt as a human. Hyper-acute senses can be a blessing."

He continued stroking her hair. He nuzzled her neck before he continued.

"I think your idea of going freelance is a wise one. You have more freedom as a freelance writer."

Nibbling her ear now.

"And it is not required of me to feed to make love, my dear. It's just that I haven't seen cause to engage in lovemaking for the sake of lovemaking since she died."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"If my lovemaking with Madeleine is anything to go by, then yes. The passion, once I forgave her, was equal to or greater than anything I'd felt as a human. Hyper-acute senses can be a blessing."

Love making with Benoit had definitely been amazing the night before, but to what extent that was linked to the process of feeding, she was still not sure. She was loving the way he stroked her hair, however. His touch was so sensual as was the sensation of his hot breath upon her neck as he discussed her going freelance.
He continued stroking her hair. He nuzzled her neck before he continued.

"And it is not required of me to feed to make love, my dear. It's just that I haven't seen cause to engage in lovemaking for the sake of lovemaking since she died."

She groaned softly as he nibbled her ear.

"That's good to know ... "

She told him breathlessly as her head tipped to the side to give him more access to her neck and allow him to thread his fingers through her hair if he so wished.

"Mmmm... feels so good ... "

She crooned, giving herself up to revelling in his touch ...

 

[Niceandbrutal]

She was clearly enjoying his attention, and for the first time since the starlet's death he found himself wanting to make love just for the sake of lovemaking.

He continued stroking her hair and gently massaging her scalp with his long fingers on one hand, while his other hand let go of his embrace of her and gently started caressing her lower back while nibbling on the neck she so willingly offered.

He was aroused, drunk on her warmth and her surrender to him. She smelled like roses and raspberries, mixed with a light and fresh musk only a recently scrubbed body could produce. He moaned in pleasure then, kissing her collarbone and starting to push her garments aside.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Natasha sighed softly as he stroked her hair. The sensation of his fingers applying delicious pressure to her scalp made her groan with pleasure. Her body seemed so at ease as he stroked her back and nibbled lightly on her neck.

He too it seemed was enjoying just being together, just touching. She heard his soft moan and shivered as he kissed her collarbone. She felt his hands move to seek out the fastening of her black dress and draw down the zip at the back and begin to peel it off her slender frame ...

"MMmmm Benoit ... "

She crooned his name once more as he went unhurriedly about his continuing exploration.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Her dress discreetly fell off her and landed around her feet in a rustling hush of fine cloth. She stood before him in her undergarments, looking vulnerable yet open and willing to be touched. He obliged her silent request and continued his slow caresses and lingering kisses.

"Natasha..."

He uttered her name, half worship, half praise in his voice. His lip sought hers as he again kissed her deeply. His hands now on her flanks, stroking her slowly and showing with his every move how much he worshipped and adored her.

He strayed with his mouth again, down her neck, kissing the little alcove of skin where the throat meets the sternum before moving on to her shoulders, his hands now holding her gently by her arms. He then proceeded down her chest towards her breasts, his fingers now seeking out her brassiere, to remove it.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Every touch, every brush of his lips made her quiver. Her dress pooled around her feet. Her eyes lifted to his, her body quivering as Benoit's eyes look in the sight of her before moving to kiss and caress her once more.

"Natasha..."

Her name on his lips made her feel incredible. He was unhurried as his hands and mouth seemed to explore her entire body making her feel so completely loved and wanted, the intimacy between them more intense than anything she had ever experienced.

She moaned softly her head tipping aside as his mouth moved to her neck. Her chest rose and fell as his mouth progressed towards her breasts even as his hand moved towards the fastening of her bra. Deftly he unhooked it and the fabric fell free, scooting over her body as her full breasts tumbled free, the bounce of flesh making her groan given their sensitivity and the growing ache of her hardening nipples.

She moved closer to him reaching out to draw his face momentarily away from it's exploration and pressed her lips to his. Her kiss spoke of her arousal, her passion, her love for him even as she pressed her naked upper torso against his body melding against him as the passion of their kiss rose.

And she knew, not that she hadn't known from that very first moment, that very first dance, that she could not bare to ever be parted from him. He truly was the one she had been waiting for all her life ...

 

[Niceandbrutal]

She answered his caresses with a deep and passionate kiss, pressing herself against him, her arousal obvious. Benoît answered her kiss with a passion matching hers, as they for the longest time melted together, becoming one.

Benoît's caresses hastened then, as his arousal mounted. Still locked to her in that long embrace and kiss, he paid homage to her body as pilgrims do to a holy shrine, his touch almost reverential.

He resumed kissing her body, moving ever down from her mouth and neck as she stood shivering and gasping before him. He reached her full breasts and kissed them like one would kiss a sleeping child.

Then he momentarily broke free from the spell of her and lifted her, carrying her to his bed.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

For long, long moment they kissed, content just to become on in that sweet embrace. Then she felt his hands moving over her body, pressing, stroking, exploring as if he could not get enough of the touch of her as she gave herself up to the taste and the feel of him as he filled her senses.

When mouths finally parted, his returned to move downwards making their unhurried progress downwards until he reached her breasts, the intimacy of his gentle caresses making her body quiver with the intensity of sensation and feeling. And then his arms went around her and picked her up, drawing her against his body as he turned and carried her to his bed. No hypnosis was used and yet Natasha was spellbound by his every touch. Her eyes locked with his as he lowered her gently upon the black bedding.

Somehow with Benoit she could hold nothing back. The natural reticence, the self consciousness, the unwillingness to give too much which she had experienced in her previous 'relationships' was impossible with Benoit. Even with the full knowledge of what he was and with the free choice he offered her as to how their relationship was to advance, Natasha knew that she was destined to be his; that he already knew the real her and that he wanted just as she was.

With Benoit, Natasha was fully open and vulnerable; barriers simply did not exist and she knew instinctively that she already trusted him implicitly to lead her into sharing more and more new experiences with him ...

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Benoît lowered her on to the bed. He lay down beside her and looked her deeply in the eyes. He was immensely moved by the absolute trust she showed him. According to her friends she was reluctant to open up to men, yet here she was. She was completely vulnerable, yet unafraid of him and confident in him not wanting to hurt her.

"Oh, Natasha" he murmured, leaning in to kiss her again. As he leaned towards her she leaned back a little, making him lie halfway over her. He resumed stroking and caressing her body, inching ever lower with his hand, his other hand supporting her head.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Their eyes locked as wordlessly he leaned down to kiss her once again.

"Oh, Natasha"

His lips touched hers, he was leaning over her, touching her, stroking, caressing and kissing and loving her as only he ever had.

"Benoit ... "

She murmured his name as one hand eased lower and the other held her head.
There were no words for the emotions she felt between them ...

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Benoît slipped his hand under her panties. He sought out her tender little bud and started ever so slowly and gently to massage it and the folds of skin around and beneath it. His mouth still lingered on her lips, but he occasionally made some detours to her nack and her breasts, kissing, licking and sucking.

He gently lay her head down and started to unbutton his shirt and then his pants as he continued to pleasure her. He had to disentangle himself for a little while to get his own clothes off. He took off his shirt first, tossing it to one side. His pants and other garments followed, to rest in a crumpled heap beside the bed.

He then resumed his ministrations.