V;tm — The Venture Clan

[StarXChyld]

V;tm — The Ventrue Clan

Yeah, Yeah, yeah. . .you're gettin' bored lookin' at all these V;tm - the blah, blah, blah Clan. Well, listen up! Read V;tm — The Vixens Inn, OOC and you'll get a clue as to what's going on around here.

Don't care? That's fine. Let me introduce myself to you. . .I'm Saffire, I'm a Sabbat, I'm here to take over your little board with a bunch of Bloodsuckers. ::smirks:: Still don't care? I thought not. Now listen up!

I gotta introduce this character, Yves de Chevalier, to you. See he's the new Ventrue Elder and if, and I say that with a big "I", if he gets his wish. . .he'll be running things around here. At least within all those V;tm threads that are cluttering up your pretty little porno site. HA! So you're going to be seeing a lot of him. I know, trust me, I know! ::rolls her eyes::

So without any fanfare at all. . .(these guys are the worst of the bunch, think politics on steriods!). . .it is my DUTY to introduce, Yves de Chevalier, fashionably late as usual. . .

 

[airborne92]

Yves de Chevalier

OOC:

This is the home of the Ventrue Clan. It is located in a castle tucked away in the Alps of Austria. It is where we, the Ventrue Clan, will do most of our business from. The inside of the castle is as beautiful as any Manor House on the Continent of Europe. All intersted in joining please PM me with your character ideas and I will do my best to accomodate you. As a member of nobility, I must extend an invitation to all ladies to come and join us. Guys, you are welcome to join as well.

Yves de Chevalier, Ventrue Clan

Yves was born in 1385, in the city of Orleans. His father was a Baron and his mother a Lady of the Royal court. He was raised to be as noble as the title he was to inherit one day. Kinghted at the age of 20, he was to take part in the Battle of Agincourt 10 years later. The night before he was enjoying the company of a woman from the local village. He was never to see the light of day after that night. All assumed he fell on the field of battle. Spending the next 100 years learning the ways of the Ventrue Clan as he rose in station among them. He spends most of his time subtly influencing those he can profit from in some fashion.

He has accumulated a small stable of 6 women to feed on, never siring any of them into one of the Blood. All are from aristocratic families all over Europe. He still believes in Honor and Chivalry, thus is trusted within the Ventrue Clan. He has learned to keep his friends close and his enemies closer still. He does not rush into anything, and always leaves a way to get out of any situation he enters into.

IC:

I awoke from an extended sleep of 30 years. My last project had been to set into motion the oil embargo of the early 1970's. If everything had gone according to plan, there would be a nice increase in my personal accounts in Zurich. I rose from the stone coffin in the center of the room. A room with no windows and only one steel door. The walls were of white Italian marble, precisely cut and set. I walked over to the door and pushed it open. The door opened into a long hallway in the dungeon of a castle in the Austrian Alps. I entered into the first room on the left. In there I find a new outfit layed out for me on a chest. A black double breasted Armani suit, a charcoal gray shirt, black dress shoes and a blood red tie. I get dressed as I feel a hunger come over me from my extended sleep. I would need to feed soon. I look at the clock on the wall, it is well after dark I notice.

Silently I make my way up into the castle proper. Katrina should be around. I find her in the study, she is examining my financial records. As always she is managing the massive fortune I have accumulated over the past 500 years.

"Is everything in order, my dear Kat?" I ask her. The sudden sound of my voice causes her to jump in her seat. She looks as lovely as she did at the age of 22. Her blonde hair, slightly longer than shoulder length, shimmering in the soft light. She nods as she stands up and walks towards me, knowing what I need right now is to feed.

 

[StarXChyld]

:uts her hands together for Yves::

OOC: Very nice. Very nice. Ladies? Anyone? Wanna take a big bite outta this hunk of a Ventrue? Take a look/see at V;tm — The Vixens Inn OOC for more details. This storyline is going to begin on Friday!

Continue on, Yves. . .sorry! ::sneaks off into the shadows::

 

[airborne92]

Yves

I appraoch Kat as she offers her neck to me. She has been working for me for over 30 years now. She knows of my needs and gladly offers herself to me, knowing that I will not kill her, nor will I make her a chylde of the Blood.

I lower my head, opening my mouth to expose my fangs. I let them sink in slowly. I know how to ease the pain for her, so I drink of her slowly, savoring every drop she offers to me. I take only enough of her to quell the hunger for now. I will feed fully later tonight. As I finish I let my tongue lick the last crimson drops from the fair skin of her neck. I made her a ghoul a year before I went to sleep. I made arrangements for blood donors to come here for her. They would come here to donate blood, under the presumption that it was for a transfusion for employer. A very wealthy man with a rare blood disease. We set the plan into motion about six months after I had made her a ghoul. It worked perfectly, and every 'donor' has been paid the equivalent of $100 for a pint. This allowed her to have the blood she needed when I was asleep, without my having to worry about her getting into trouble while feeding.

"How are my accounts Kat?" I ask as she hands me a cloth to wipe my mouth with.

"All is in order, Excellency" she replies, a knowing smile on her face. Her blue eyes sparkle at me as I look at her. She has hardly changed in the past 30 years.

I look at how she has made changes to my home. The furnishings are vintage antiques from some of the finest homes throughout Europe. Everything is done with a style that is not seen anymore in these modern times. There is a nice fire in the fireplace on the far side of the study.

"Find Natalia, and have her meet me here. We have new plans to set into motion" I say to Kat.

She turns and heads off to find her for me. I go to the desk and look at the books Kat has been working on. She has done well managing my accounts. There is almost half again as much as there was when I went to sleep 30 years ago. I was glad I had found her in Heidelburg at the University. She has proved a valuable asset to me.

 

[airborne92]

Yves

I wander about the study admiring her taste in art. She has adorned the walls with some fine paintings. I notice the works of Rembrandt, Rubens, Gauguin, and Delacroix among others. There is a massive Oriental rug in the center of the room. The mantle has various pieces of art upon it, mostly small sculptures.

Kat has done well. After I let my Prince know of my return to activity I will take her out for a fresh feeding tonight. She always manages to draw willing victims with her beauty.

'My Prince' I think to myself, 'the beautiful Natalia. She is not much older than I. We have done well for ourselves over the past 50 years. The two of us had devised a plan to bring about the oil embargo, for which several rich men paid each of us a total of$50 million US dollars. It was a small sum considering how much they would make in the long run.

I return to the books on the table. My fortune would grow on its own, with a little guidance, from now on. Now I needed to set a much bigger plan into action. One that would require the approval of Natalia. She would probably like the idea, considering it would bring her even more power.

 

[StarXChyld]

The Evening News


The Manchester Mail


United Press Service 11/22/02
Manchester, England

DESERT STORM VETERAN FOUND SLAIN

Steven Brickmann was found dead late last night on the outskirts of Manchester. Brickmann, a member of the Special Forces for the U.S. Air Force, had traveled to England to deliver the remains of his wife, Tamaria Arafati, to the rightful resting place with her family here in Manchester, where they had recently relocated due the the conflict in the Middle East.

She had been tragically killed in a car accident back in the States. Tamaria’s father, Kareem Arafati, stated that Brickmann had come to his home yesterday afternoon to deliver the remains of his daughter and present him a a sizable check from his daughter’s life insurance policy. “Enough to see my five sons through University”, Mr. Arafati was quoted as saying.

The circumstances of Mr. Brickmann’s death are being withheld pending U.S. Government verification. One source close to the case however, claim that when Brickmann’s body arrived at the Manchester County morgue, the medical staff was shocked to discover that the body had been completely drained of blood. The coroner has refused to comment.

 

[Lady_Kit]

Natalia

There was a tapping at the door to my chamber. That will be Kat, I thought, come to tell me her master is awake. I call to her, projecting volume more with my mind than with my vocal cords.

Enter

“My master asks if you would join him in the study.”

Yes, of course, Kat. Tell him I will be along presently.

I set aside my journal. I was pleased that Yves had arisen; it would be good to have his company again. One of the tiresome parts of being immortal was the loneliness another was the boredom. Companions like Yves helped to ease both. Having a purpose was essential for me. My purpose was the preservation of my kind, by whatever means necessary.

The galleries of the castle are magnificent. Works of art by painters and sculptors whose names were never known adorn the walls and alcoves; artists who were the kept men and women of the Ventrue Clan. There are also works by well-known artist Rubens, Monet, Degas, so many beautiful things to surround them. Beautiful things that came with money and power, and Natalia loved beautiful things.

She entered the study, her long ruby red gown making not a sound as she passed. She smiled at the sight of Yves already going over his books, checking his investments. She recalled that he had occupied that space only moments before he laid down 30 years ago. She extended her hands and moved toward the massive desk as she broke the silence of the room.

I’m pleased that you have rejoined us. I trust you slept well?

 

[airborne92]

Yves

I’m pleased that you have rejoined us. I trust you slept well? Natalia asks me as she appraoches with out stretched arms.

I turn and move to greet her. She is as lovely as I remember. She is a Prince of the Ventrue Clan. One of the few in the Clan I respect as a better. I meet her embrace and hold her close for a moment.

"Yes My Prince, I have slept well. I wish to present myself to you, I shall be active in the Clan again. I hope I have not been away from my duties for too long" I say to her as I let go of the embrace.

"I need to feed and ask your permission to enter your domain tonight with Kat" I say in a humble manner.

Natalia is a good and trusted friend. She has been welcome in my home for the last 75 years. I know she will probably grant my request, but it is proper to present myself to her after my sleep, and ask permission to enter that which is hers.

 

[StarXChyld]

The Manchester Mail

The Manchester Mail


United Press Service 11/23/02
Manchester, England

INVESTIGATION IN U.S. SERVICEMAN’S DEATH BEGUN

Manchester’s police sources confirm that a preliminary investigation into the death of U.S. Air Force Officer Steven Brickmann has begun. An autopsy was ordered by police homicide investigator Seth MacMichael. The findings will not be made public for several days according to the sources.

The body of the serviceman was found behind a meat packing plant under some mysterious circumstances. However Investigator MacMichael refused to call it a homicide. “As we know, things happen in Manchester which are strange to some,” MacMichael stated, “but do have completely understandable explanations once the circumstances are made clear”. MacMichael denied that there was any link between the death of the serviceman and recent anti-American demonstrations near the U.S. Embassy. He also refused to comment on whether the U.S. government was planning it’s own investigation. “They can answer such questions themselves.” MacMichael said.

However, U.S. embassy attache Christopher Keefe said that all avenues of investigation would be explored. “We have a U.S. military officer deceased in a foreign land under unexplained circumstances.” said Mr. Keefe. “Such matters would always be reviewed by the appropriate personnel here.” Mr. Keefe also denied any knowledge that the death was tied to any terrorist or anti-Western agents. “Such inquiries constitute unreasonable conjecture at this point in time.” stated Mr. Keefe. “We simply need more information.”

Police sources said that preliminary information suggests that the officer had been socializing in popular Manchester nightclubs prior to his disappearance. It is believed that investigators will be pursuing several leads in the downtown area.

 

[Ecclesiastic Jack]

the Manchester Venture?

-:|OOC|:-
What a social scandal that would be, if all the Ventrue were labeled Venture instead... Hmm, it's almost rather appropriate...

 

[Lady_Kit]

Natalia

OOC: Sorry this is short, but I didn't want to hold you up any longer.

~~~~~~~~~

IC:

But of course you have my permission, dear Yves. Enter and be welcome.

There are matters I would discuss with you, but they can wait. You must feed, and tonight the hunting will be especially fine. You must instruct Kat secure my seats for you at the concerts in Salzburg, they should be wonderful this year.

I'm sure you'll find something there that suits your tastes.

Natalia smiled, showing just a bit of fang to emphasize the double entendre of her statement. Unlike some of the undead, the members of the Ventrue Clan preferred to dine on the artistic and intellectually superior members of the human community. Some of the older vampires even claimed the “taste” was different. Natalia had never had to find out, she had always been fortunate enough to have plenty of resources available.

 

[airborne92]

Yves

"You are very gracious, My Prince" I reply.

I can see Kat waiting in the doorway of the study. I nod to her, she already knows what to do. Kat was very helpful to those who resided here at the castle. She leaves to make the arrangements. I look around the study to find a recent newspaper. Knowledge of current events is where I get most of my power and wealth from.

On the desk I see the two latest copies of The Manchester Mail. The story of the slain American serviceman is very disturbing. A breech of the Masquerade, probably a member of the Sabbat. Though it could be a neonyte not properly trained making their first kill. I would have to look into this. As an Elder of the Ventrue Clan it was my duty.

I turn and leave the study, heading for the garage. Kat is already there waiting for me. She is in the car, a BMW 635 csi, waiting for me. We leave the castle and head for the concerts in Salzburg.

 

[Morgana]

Countess Eva Lind

OOC: Eva's character bio can be found under the Vixens Inn OOC thread

IC:

Eva

I was lost. Granted, the mountain scenery was breathtaking but the sun had set long ago and it was dark. And snowing. I owned a quaint but completely impractical chalet nestled on the outskirts of the city and I was headed to spend a hours there before attending the opening gala at the Salzburg festival. Being fashionable does have its drawbacks. I had gotten used to traveling and I found it a welcome distraction from memories--and the lonely emptiness that my life had become. I sipped absently from a bottle of Evian while I drove, too stubborn to check the map in the glove compartment. It wouldn’t matter now anyway since these roads were hardly marked and the visibility was terrible. My cell phone had been registering the unfriendly “No Service” message for the last 40 minutes.

Something brown and fast darted across the road and I reflexively slammed on my brakes—too late. Whatever was in the road, I had definitely hit it, my car skidding on the ice and spinning in a circle. My right temple hit the window and I cursed loudly in my native tongue as I tried to gain some semblance of control over the situation. Suddenly, all motion stopped. It happened so quickly that it took me a moment to gain a sense space and direction.

My head hurt but I wasn’t bleeding, which was a relief. But the car had skidded into a snow bank on the side of the road. I stepped out of the automobile, dizzy and disoriented. It was then that I saw what I had hit.

It was a deer. It was a young deer—or maybe a doe—and it was dead, its neck twisted in a grotesque way that made me shudder and swear again. I leaned over and peered at the animal, my breath visible in the cold.

"God dammnit….I’m sorry,” I whispered softly.

I suddenly felt cold, tired, and cranky. I was going to be late. What I really wanted was a hot bath, a glass of wine, and a crackling fire. I got back inside the car. It started easily but the right wheel was wedged deeply in the snow and after a few attempts, I gave up in exasperation. Not one to be easily defeated, I tried digging my way out (without a shovel!) and I even tried pushing my car, which, I knew was an exercise in futility.

Head aching, I looked around at my surroundings. The snow was falling more lightly now, flecks of it in my blonde hair and on my black mink coat, the collar wrapped tightly around my neck, my gloved hands at my throat. I could feel a welt forming on my temple, at the hairline, where I’d hit my head, and I was still feeling dizzy and now nauseated.

Amazingly, the lights of a car lit up the road from a distance. They were traveling slowly, probably cautious because of the weather. I waved and the car slowed down and stopped. It was a BMW. A very fancy BMW.

I lean over slightly as the driver puts the window down and say in perfectly unaccented German, “Thank you for stopping…”

 

[airborne92]

Yves

I look out Kat's window as she stops for the woman in the road. She is a lovely creature, of about thirty or so. SHe is definately a laddy of grace and elegance.

"Your welcome Madame, we are just on our way to the concerts in Salzburg this evening" I say to her, speaking in fluent German.

An advantage of being immortal is having plenty of time to learn new things, like the local language. In the past 500 years I had learned German, Italian, Spanish, English, Danish, and Russian.

"Can we give you a ride somewhere?" I ask her.

 

[Morgana]

Eva

'I was also headed to the music festival but I had a little trouble. I hit a deer and my car skidded into a snow bank. It hasn't been my night. I would appreciate a ride, thank you."

I felt safe accepting a ride from this couple. The gentleman seemed distinguished and his wife had a lovely face and classy demeanor.

"You must be freezing, dear," she said, her smile almost maternal.

I sank gratefully into the backseat, my brow furrowing from my now steadily throbbing temple.

"Are you all right, madame?" the man queried. His voice was melodic.

The truth was I felt sick with vertigo.

My tongue seemed thick and slow as I articulated my response.

"I hit my head on the window, I answered blearily.

They asked me something else but I didn't hear it as everything went fuzzy...and then black.

 

[airborne92]

Yves

As the lady passes out from her injury in the backseat I look at Kat. She knows as well that we will have to return to the castle. The lady is in need of attention. Kat turns the car around and heads for home. We arrive at the castle and Kat pulls up to the front doors. I get out of the car, get the lady out of the back seat and carry her into the the Parlor. I lay her down on the divan. Kat comes into the Parlor with a first aid kit. I open it and take out some smelling salts. Breaking the capsule, I wave it under her nose. She wakes up trying to get her nose away from the smell.

"You are safe my dear lady" I say to her in German. "You are in my home, try and relax. You have a nasty bump on your head."

I look into her eyes as she wakes up. I can see the pain of the past in them. She has suffered greatly in the past, her life is only a shadow of what it once was.

"You will not be attending the concert tonight" I say to her in a firm, yet gentle voice.

 

[Morgana]

"No...no I suppose I won't be," I respond gratefully, my lips forming a soft smile, a dimple appearing on my left cheek. "I'm terribly sorry for all the trouble I'm causing you."

He has an authoritative manner, not unpleasant, but one so characteristic of the aristocracy. He strikes me as a man accostomed to giving directions, a man used to getting what he wants, not very much unlike myself.

"I'm Eva....Lind."

"Yves de Chevalier...and the lady you met earlier is my assistant, Katrina."

"Pleased to meet you, although I regret that it isn't under more pleasant circumstances. I've spoiled your evening."

"Not at all..not at all."

Katrina enters with ice and asprin for my head and a cup of tea.

I sit up slowly and realize they've taken off my coat. My white blouse is wrinkled and I smooth the gauzy fabric, crossing my long legs in a manner that is unconsciously sensual, the slit in my black skirt showing off the high heeled Prada boots that I had purchased in Milan. I have a passion for shoes.

"Perhaps you'd allow me to use your telephone in a little bit?" I query.

The absurdity of my question hits me like a ton of bricks as I think to myself, Why Eva? Whom would you call?

 

[airborne92]

Yves

"Of course you may use the phone Eva. You are more than welcome to spend the night, since no one will be able to get here before morning" I say to her.

Eva seems to be doing a bit better now. I can tell she is trying to think of who to call. She is alone in the world. Maybe it is time to sire another Ventrue I think to myself.

"Would you care to see the rest of my humble home, Eva?" I ask her as I motion to the rest of the castle.

 

[Morgana]

"I'd love to see your home, Yves. The architecture is incredible."

He takes my arm and leads me through the various rooms. The place is immense and filled with beautiful things. It's the artwork that fascinates me the most though. Rembrandt, Monet, and Vermier....all originals.

A set of mirrored double doors guilded with golden feather-winged cherubs and nubile nymphs leads to what is obviously a conservatory, a music room. The grand piano at the center is an antique Steinway set in mahogony with some of the most intricate and ornate cabinet work I've ever seen. It makes me think of Gregory.

I can almost see him at the piano, his fingers caressing the keys, indulging me with the sensually erotic nocturnes of Chopin that were my favorites. Sometimes I'd stand behind him just watching and listening, my hands on his shoulders, my lips on his neck....until the only thing he played was my willing and eager body.

"Eva, do you play?" Yves asked me, bringing me back to the present, but not before he saw the moisture welling up in my blue eyes.

"No," I lied. I paused a moment. "I mean...not anymore."

 

[airborne92]

Yves

I can see the tears forming in her eyes as she responds. Music was a big part of her live, judging by her reaction to the piano. Time to test the waters, maybe she would want to leave her old life behind.

"Eva, you need to leave the past alone. There are many I have lost that imiss, but we make new friends and move on. We can not give up our passions though" I say to her in a kind voice.

Tilting her head back I look into her blue eyes. There is great sadness in them. I lean down and kiss away the tears. I take another look into her eyes adn see that she is feeling the passion build withinn her. I lean down again and kiss her lips. She responds slowly, but deepens the kiss.

"Would you like to leave the pain of this world behind you Eva?" I ask her, in a soft voice of understanding.

 

[Morgana]

Eva

He kisses my eyelids and then my lips...once...then a second time. The touch of his mouth brings a heady pleasure that I haven't felt in years and I respond with a willingness that surprises even myself. My lips part to accept the tantalizing sweetness of his tongue arching between the supple folds of my mouth. My hands reach out to caress the nape of his neck with the palm of my hand and then with the tips of my fingers.

Something is building inside of me like waves crashing repeatedly over the shore as a storm breaks out, slow at first, and then more forcefully.

"Would you like to leave the pain of this world behind you Eva?"

I feel him drawing me against his body and realize that he wants me, even as I want him. His desire is tangible and it excites and entices me. His hands slide up and down my back over the thin fabric of my blouse and I shiver in his arms.

"Yes...yes, Yves," I whisper, "make me forget."

 

[airborne92]

Yves

I let my hands drift to the front of Eva's blouse, slowly unbuttoning it as we kiss again. I don't want to ruin her nice clothes during the Embrace. As I finish unbuttoning her blouse I slide it off her arms revealing a lacy white bra underneath. I then move my hands to the button and zipper of her skirt. Quickly it falls to the floor with her blouse. She has matching panties and garter belt as well and stockings that highlight her skin tone.

I break our kiss again and see the desire in her eyes. SHe must be ready for the Embrace before I will continue.

"Eva, I can help you to forget this world, but you will never see the light of day again. You will have new friends and a new life as well. Your life will still be as luxurious as before. Is this what you truly want?" I ask her.

This time she only nods yes, but I can see in her eyes that this is what is in her heart. I lower my head again to kiss her, not on the lips this time. My lips start to kiss her neck. The taste of her flesh is intoxicating to me. I expose my fangs and sink them into her neck. I hear her gasp in pleasure as I pull her close to me. I drain the blood from her as she begins to moan. I lower her to the floor as I suck the last of the blood from her.

Quickly I roll up the sleeve of my shirt, and with a razor sharp fingernail I draw some of my own blood for her to drink. I raise her head to drink from my arm. I give her enough to make her a Kindred. I then wait for her to complete the transformation.

 

[Lady_Kit]

Natalia

Earlier in the evening…

Natalia watched as Kat expertly drove Yves down the mountain. Although the evening fog had settled, it was no impediment to her vision, she could have read the numbers on the distant license plate had she wanted to do so. She turned away from the glass, and looked again at the papers on the desk.

“DESERT STORM VETERAN FOUND SLAIN”

“INVESTIGATION IN U.S. SERVICEMAN’S DEATH BEGUN”

She let loose a quiet hiss as she reread the headlines and then, for a second time, the text below. The sensationalized articles were the worst kind of attention for the Kindred to receive. Not only had someone attracted the attention of the British government, but of the Americans as well. Someone was going to pay for this carelessness.

Natalia snatched the folded papers and returned to her rooms. She called to her maid as she left the study, knowing that the girl would hear and obey, and gave orders for business attire to be laid out and for her car to be brought around. The Price would be going out after all.

A short time later the black limousine began its decent down the mountain to a private airstrip where Natalia boarded a small jet that would carry her to England. She gave no outward sign of her discomfort, but she was not happy about the need to fly. She hated to fly and only did only when time was critical, as it now was.

The sleek craft left the ground with ease. Natalia leaned back in her seat and began to plan for her arrival in England. She had left a message for Yves, letting him know that she had been called away, but would expect to meet with him on her return. There was still the business of the Inner Circle; Yves would make a fine Justicar, and it appeared that his naming would not be a moment too soon. She was pleased to see him take on such a position of power.

One hand clenched into a fist as she thought about the outrage against the Kindred. An American Hero! Of all the careless stupidity! She imagined squeezing the throat of the offending vampire, feeling bones crush in her fingers. She felt a moment of pleasure as she contemplated who the guilty party might be. Perhaps it was Simeon Grey of Clan Tremere? He was in her mind, since he would be her first stop, but the idea of him as the killer was discarded as soon as it occurred. Simeon may be arrogant and power hungry, but he wasn’t stupid. To her knowledge he had never done anything to openly jeopardize the Kindred. She wished that he would and give her an excuse to….

She shook her head to clear the lust for violence. Never mind, it wasn’t him and she knew it. Best to make the visit to his house a short one, and then move on. She had decided to make Clan Tremere her first stop because she knew that Simeon had spies everywhere and if she gave him time to gather information before her arrival, she would not get what she wanted from him.

 

[Ecclesiastic Jack]

A young man had just finished parking his domestic german vehicle on the side of the street just downhill from the mansion. The man was in no way remarkable, wearing warm clothing that concealed much of his physique as did anyone in this weather. An unruly mop of brown hair flitted in the breeze, and a face, cold and chapped slightly from the wind gazed with an unusually steady gaze towards the gates of the mansion.

The jacket, thick and well designed, was unzipped partway, and yet he made no move to return the zipper up, even when the wind tugged at the red scarf he had around his neck. The man made move to approach the gate when suddenly it opened, allowing out the sleek shape of a well-cared for black limousine. A moment of satisfaction and amusement licked at those wind-chapped lips, and then the figure staggered, as if struck by a blow.

Shivering, the man picked himself up from the snow where he had fallen, and looked around in confusion and a little fear. Fingers stiff from the wintry breezes quickly zipped up the winter coat, and then fished into his pockets for keys, frantically looking around for his car. As the gentleman spied the vehicle he darted to it, the engine starting swiftly, and carrying the curious gentleman away.

 

[Morgana]

Eva

I had never felt anything closer to complete ecstasy than Yves' deliciously indecent kiss. The pleasure spread to the very tips of my fingers and toes. I would have fallen had he not been holding me, and I was vaguely aware of anything else as he lowered me to the floor.

My mortality, my life force was ebbing away and I submitted completely to it. Teetering on the very edge of oblivion, I felt the first drops of Yves' blood on my lips and I drank, tentatively at first, and then more steadily. I became acutely aware of my surroindings and I suddenly felt awake...wide awake.

When he took his wrist away, there were droplets of blood on the ivory skin of my abdomen, like roses on a snowy landscape. Whether it was his blood or mine I could not tell you.

I lay there, scantily clad, with my head resting in his lap. His hands had undone the pins in my hair and he was caressing the silky tresses.

I looked around the room. Everything was the same...and yet it wasn't.

My new life had begun.