Red Rebirth (pm to join)

[JadeKnight]

His sleep was dark and dreamless, his usual state if sleep. He wasn't sure when things changed, it was sometime in the last century. It didn't bother him really. Mostly he saw it as finally being at peace with his life.

He had only woken up himself when he heard the knock of Vivian's coffin. He took a moment to gather himself before opening his own coffin. He sat up slowly before calling to her.

"I will be there in a moment Angel."

He had picked up her name, but he preferred to call her Angel. That was what she was to him, his angel. If she wanted him to call her sometime else, she only had to ask.

He had her coffin open a couple minutes later, a hand held out to help her out.

"Did you sleep well?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Vivian nodded and was eager to climb out of the coffin. Her stomach growled again as she was about to answer and she apologized softly. "Sorry, I guess my body is trying to tell me something I'm still not sure I'm ready to acknowledge...but, if you still have some of that lovely wine about...perhaps I can be ok for a little while without drinking blood. How long can I physically wait to decide on the blood drinking?"

 

[JadeKnight]

He gave a little chuckle at the growl from her stomach. He knew she was still young and would require more blood than he needed. He raised an eyebrow for a moment when she spoke of having more wine. It took him a moment for the connection between the wineglass of blood he had given her the night before and her thought of calling it wine.

"Of course. I shall have some wine ready for you, but it will take a little bit to procure. While you are waiting, feel free to explore our little home. Once you are finished, we can meet in the drawing room once more."

He gave a bow for a moment before letting her go ahead of him. He avoided answering her question about the blood, but it would be answered in due time. He didn't want to think she was a little slow on grasping things, but he decided to believe she was still in shock over everything.

The manor was two stories, along with the large basement. The basement was divided into two portions, the small room where their coffins were placed and another room that was filled with wines from the different countries in Europe and Spain. The first floor had the kitchen, a large dining room, the drawing room, a large library, two bathrooms, and a Master Suite. The second floor had bathrooms, five bedrooms, his study where he did his painting, and two other unused rooms.

While he let her explore, he went to the drawing room. He waited in his chair with an empty wineglass in the middle of the coffee table.

 

[slippedhalo]

She got up, found her clothing, and chose the brown gown tonight. It still seemed wrong to wear those shorter, flimsier dresses...The washroom was amazing! There was an indoor chamber pot and indoor pipes with warm and cold water pouring out of a spigot with the turn of the knobs to adjust the temperature! Unsure of how much water was stored or where it came from, Vivian filled a bathtub only a little under halfway. She bathed and washed her hair, feeling as if she might have been cleaned in this room before but the memory was vague and nearly sightless, and painful...So, she focused on the present moment. Once clean, she delighted in pulling the rubber stopper from the bottom of the tub and watching the water drain. She wondered where it went. There'd be plenty of time to learn about it later.

She found a soft sheet of something akin to flannel but shaggier and more absorbant in a fluffy, blue pile of them on a shelf in the same room and she dried off with it, hoping that wasn't improper use of this fabric. The chamber pot amused her too, she pulled a handle and it drained with swirling water and she squealed with surprised delight, pulling it twice more for the fun of the swishing noise it made and watching the clean water swirl around in it. Modern technology would be interesting to learn about!

Once clean and dressed, Vivian found Sir Jianova waiting for her in the drawing room. He fiddled with an empty wine glass as she praised the amazing washroom facilities. "It's amazing what inventions are available for comfort of home life in thirty-five years. What will they think up next?!!"

 

[JadeKnight]

He gave a smile seeing how happy she was about her new surroundings. With her in such a joyful mood, it was probably going to make the next part easier. She probably wouldn't like what he was going to say, but she would have to understand. He waited till she was seated before speaking.

"I thought you might enjoy our home. Now I have good news and bad news for you. The good news is that you will be able to see more such marvels tonight, as I am going to take you out on the town for a few hours."

He took a deep breathe for a moment, showing her the empty goblet.

"As far as how long you will be able to go with out drinking blood as your age...possibly a day before your body begins breaking down. You see, you've already been drinking blood my angel."

He smiled before placing the empty goblet in front of her. He reached into a pocket on his vest before pulling out a small knife. He slit one wrist with the knife, letting the blood pour in till the goblet was just above full. He lifted his wrist to his mouth and licked the wound closed before speaking.

"This is the delicious wine you spoke of wanting more of. Please, drink up."

He leaned back in his chair, watching her reaction to it. The amount he had given her was just enough to qunish her thirst, but he would have her get more while they were out.

 

[slippedhalo]

Vivian stared, her green eyes wide in horror as she watched him slit his wrist and let the blood flow into the glass. Her mouth was a surprised O as she stood frozen and studied his movements.

He licked his wound and the flesh knitted closed, not even a scar remained afterward.

"Oh...I think I'm going to be sick..." Vivian moaned as she felt her stomach flip flop at the realization that she'd been happily drinking this, this, blood...up until now. Even as she hunched over holding her churning stomach, she felt the pull of addiction. She wanted it more than she was sickened by the thought of it and that was so confusing. The wine...the blood...it was sitting in the glass taunting her. She could smell the spicey aroma of it and it was nothing like her memories of the times in childhood when she'd accidentally bitten her lip or tongue and tasted a sharp, ugly, metallic tang. No, this was sweet and rich, it filled her, nurtured her, and now the aroma of it sang to her...

Vivian knealt on the floor weeping, heartbroken as she took the glass, lifting it to her trembling lips...She shut her eyes and drank. Oh, why did it have to be so delicious!

 

[JadeKnight]

He watched her with a smile, knowing she had no real choice about things. He smiled for a moment as she drank the blood.

"Try as you might to ignore Angel, your body will crave blood no matter what you want. And things can get ugly if you go to long, not just for you. A vampire in bloodlust is not a pretty sight, and those are usually the ones who get hunted down and killed."

He reached over and took the goblet from her gently.

"Tonight, we hunt. And vampires do not drain those the feed from dry. That attracts too much attention, and is very unpleasent as well. You will need to learn moderation, which you can pick up with a little practice."

 

[slippedhalo]

"Hunt...oh..."

Vivian wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood on wavering legs. She spoke with conviction as she announced, "I shall never, NEVER drink from the innocent." With that vow she felt at least some of her own humanity would remain intact. "I refuse to act like a monster. I will do only as much as needed to survive."

 

[JadeKnight]

He laughed softly for a moment.

"I never said you had to feed from the innocent Angel. Not all of humanity is innocent as you think they are. That is why it is called a hunt. And as I said before there are blood thralls."

He motioned for her to sit down once more. He had much to explain before taking her out.

"As I said before, there are those that hate vampires and those that socialize with them. Those that hate us, they would love to hunt us down and kill us if we present ourselves to them. Now the ones who solize with us, they are our friends. We still have to be careful who to trust, which does take time."

He folded his hands in front of his chest like a steeple as he took a break from speaking for a moment.

"Blood thralls are humans who willingly give their blood to feed us. They get a rush from it, as long as we don't take too much. So no, you don't need to feed from the innocent. I never mentioned such a thing."

 

[slippedhalo]

"People actually volunteering to have us drain them...aren't they frightened we'd kill them?" Vivian asked, truly intrigued.

 

[JadeKnight]

He smiled and chuckled.

"As I said, for some it's a rush kind of thing. And comes down to trust as well. That comes with knowing how much to drink from them. You could have one, if things are done right. You need to know how to feed from humans first."

He stood up from his seat as he continued, picking up the goblet as well.

"There are four common methods of drinking or feeding to get blood. The goblet method as I have been doing with you is the least intrusion, but can be deadly for a human as well. They make a cut along the fore arm here, cutting into the artery. Once the goblet is filled, they have to be healed quickly or else bleed out."

He took a moment to show with a finger where the incision would usually be made.

"The next three methods are a direct feeding from the human, here on the side of the neck, on the wrist where the cut is usually made, or here on the inner thigh."

He pointed to each area on his own body as he spoke.

"The neck is usually the most common as it is the quickest and easiest to reach. And the inner thigh would be the most intimate. Each area is a vital area as well, and you can heal up the wounds with a lick or kiss."

 

[slippedhalo]

Being flushed with Jianova's blood so recently, she was able to blush and did as he pointed to his inner thigh, his hand brushing innocently against his bulge and a rush of inappropriate thoughts passed through Vivian's mind before she managed to shove them away. "Oh, I couldn't imagine me ever wanting to drink in THAT manner...But, someday, between a friend and me, perhaps one or two of the other methods...The glass seems most palatable and civilized. It's a kiss to close the wound?" She asked, even this thought eliciting the blush to deepen on her cheeks.

 

[JadeKnight]

He caught the blush on her for a moment, thinking it made her that much more beautiful. He smiled and nodded.

"Yes, with a kiss of lick. And you look more radient when you blush Angel."

He thought for a moment before speaking.

"Tomorrow you can come with me to the docks to meet my "family". I have one last day of fulfilling my deal for bringing you here aboard one of their merchant ships. I am sure they would enjoy meeting you."

He reached out his hand towards her.

"Are you ready to go and see the sights of New York city?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Vivian smoothed out her skirts and felt that her hair was still fastened into the updo she'd secured it into earlier. "I think so." She said, following her mentor out into the night, through the graveyard.

 

[JadeKnight]

It was only a few minutes walk for them to reach the edge of the city. They soon reached the downtown nightlife of the city. The street was crowded with humans going about partying and enjoying life. Electric lights lit the area up, signs of all sorts above the storefronts.

He was about to suggest a place to go when he heard the car coming up behind them. The human was drunk and had driven up on the sidewalk. He turned and quickly grabbed Vivian, pulling her against him as he ducked back into one of the doorways.

"Are you alright angel?"

His hands were on her waist as he held her for a few seconds, their bodies pressing together. After he was sure the commotion died down, he released her.

 

[slippedhalo]

Startled, Vivian watched the vehicle speed by whilst sheltered close to Jianova. She listened to his steady heartbeat as hers slowed. He explained that it was an invention somewhat modern, a horseless carriage called an automobile. She was amazed!

The electric lighting in many places was also a marvel to behold, so much that Vivian almost didn't notice all the odd stares she recieved from passersby for being so young yet dressed like what to them must have appeared like a stuffy old lady. She had noticed the hairstyles on women were as short as their gowns and she felt the conflict of disliking feeling out of her element, not wanting to conform to the new yet certain she was stuck in the old and wishing she could feel more comfortable or brave enough to dare the way these young people in the 1920's seem to. Vivian, the walking anachronism and knew she didn't quite fit in.

 

[JadeKnight]

He enjoyed her closeness, but he knew they needed to move on. This wasn't the time or place for such things. Carefully guiding her back to walking along the sidewalk, he smiled to her.

"Where would you like to visit first Angel?"

The street they were on was lined with a few clothing and shoe stores, a couple of nightclubs, and a large theather sitting at the end ot the street where it turned into a t-section of the street, a few blocks away.

 

[slippedhalo]

"We look out of our element, dressed finely yet walking like the working class." She commented, curious as to why Jianova didn't use the wonder of the automobile himself.

Considering the options, Vivian looked around and admitted, "I'd like to go where we can just be ourselves."

A man sleeping on the ground so well camouflaged by filth she'd not seen him until he spoke, spoke up, "Then, lady, you're looking for the speakeasy!"

She repeated the strange babble, "Speak...easy...?..."

Startled, she took Jianova's hand and he looked mildly amused as he handed the man some money for his troubles and told her that drinking alcohol is legally prohibited. The country is under The Prohibition. But, there are still places where spirits and moonshine could be found, often in hidden places only locals know.

"Will we be less likely to be seen as strange there?" She asked.

 

[JadeKnight]

He gave a little smile of amuse seeing how she reacted to the homeless man who had suddenly appeared. Though the city could be beautiful in itself, starting in the seedy underbelly could be both good and bad.

"There is a good chance, yes. With the speakeasys, people in those places tend to look the other way with strange things happen. After all, most humans don't tend to get involved unless it directly affects them. They can be quite fun as well."

He just happened to know of one such place further down the allyway the filthy man had been sleeping in. Guiding her through the dimly light alley, they had gone nearly halfway down the block when he stopped at a door and knocked.

There was a moment of silence before a slide in the door opened, a pair of blue eyes peering out.

"Whatca want?"

"Just to say the crow flies at midnight."

The eyes looked around for a moment before the slide closed. There was a moment of silence before the sound of several locks opening could be heard and the door opened, jazz music filtering out to greet them.

"Come in and don't cause any trouble."

 

[slippedhalo]

They entered a crowded pub-like place filled with smoke and loud voices laughing and talking rautiously over a band playing music unlike anything Vivian had ever encountered. Itbwas a festive atmosphere but also very furtive, near the door, anyway. But, as their activities here were considered illicit, Vivian could understand the extra security. There was a full dance floor and the moves being used were as bold and boisterous (and scandalous) as the music and fashion of this new age. Vivian wasn't sure where to look first!

 

[JadeKnight]

He smiled for a moment as followed Vivan in, one hand on the small of her back. The place was crowded tonight and he wasn't going to get separated from her. He let her look for a few moments on her own as he looked around as well. He whispered lightly for a moment in her ear.

"This way."

He guided her along the walls till they reach the stage where the live band was playing. Thick curtains hung on either side of the stage, covering a large amount of the wall.

He touched the wall beside one of the curtains, finding a spot that he could depressed. He lifted the curtain a bit to see a depression in the wall. Leading her behind the curtain, he pushed the door open which led into a small hallway. He closed the door behind them with a soft click, muting some of the music.

Down the short hallway was another door, which opened into a similar style party they just left, but a little less crowded. It was the same setup, and just as lively. There also seemed to be a few vampires carrying goblets of liquid among the crowd of humans, and everyone was getting along, for the most part.

 

[slippedhalo]

The crowd in this room smelled less potent and delicious. Although there were some obviously human-scents in the place (smelling like wines and various yummy foods to Vivian's senses) about half the population of this space smelled like nothing at all to Vivian. They were all impossibly beautiful, almost perfect in appearance...She made eye contact with Jianoca, hers questioning, 'Are these oyher vampires?' She asked without asking.

 

[JadeKnight]

He gave a nod for a moment to her unspoken question, making a small motion for her to go and mingle. He knew she was probably the youngest vampire here, so it would help for her to gain some insight on how other vampires lived.

"Just be careful and try not to get took carried away with things yet. One way you can get drunk is to drink the blood of a human who has already consumed alcohol. It's quite the rush, but it will still affect you the same as if you were human."

He took her hand, leading her further into the large room to one of the empty booths.

"You don't have to mingle just yet. If you need to relax, just relax."

 

[slippedhalo]

Vivian sat and just watched silently fof the longest time, feeling completely out of place.

A waiflike girl of a woman who smelled like a strange combination of cheap chopped beef and expensive chocolates to Vivian, fluffed the bobbed blonde pincurls she wore beneath a sparkling red and pink feather topped headband with a cheaply bejewelled hand, flashing a long, cream fleshed leg as she plopped herself beside Vivian in the booth table, smiling daftly.

The blonde was an odd sort of sexy skeleton to Vivian, used to more curves in adult females.

She purred at Vivian, "Ooh, you dress like my daddy's rich English great Aunt Helen. I love people of the old ways. Are you perhaps...thirsty?" She asked, batting heavily mascaraed eyelashes as her grey-blue eyes dilated just thinking about her last thrall...Vivian saw the images clearly in the girl's mind. She'd been riding Jianova as he and a tall, brunette, bronzed looking vampire both fed from her at once in this memory.

Vivian had to shake the image away, slightly disturbed by the erotic elements of this girl's mind. "I, uh..."

The girl sat up more straight and sought Vivian's eyes with hers. "Oh, you're still rather new, sweetie, aren't you? Don't worry, Nova-man really knows what he's doin'..." She winked. "I'm Kitty. I am happy to be your first if you want to practice on me."

 

[JadeKnight]

Jianova smiled for a moment when Kitty came to the table, sitting herself beside him. He was quiet, letting the two ladies converse for the time being. However when the blonde spoke to using her to practice, he decided to speak up. He laid his hand on Kitty's on the table.

"No Kitty, that's alright. She hasn't quite gotten to feeding from another just yet. Perhaps next time. Though why don't you go and see if you can scare up a goblet or two of blood for us."

Kitty smiled widely, looking between him and Vivian before getting up.

"Sure thing Jianova. Be back before you can ever miss me."

He watched her head off into the crowd before looking to Vivian, placing his hand gently on hers on the table.

"I met her a few moments back. She is very knowledgable and sweet, once you get to know her. I think she has taken a fancy to you."

Kitty soon returned with two large goblets of blood, but they were slightly above room temperture. Jianova picked one up and sniffed it. It smelled just as rich as if it was just drained from a human.

"Is there some magic that these are still very liquidy and rich at work here?"

Kitty smiled.

"Some of the doctors around here have been working to help preseve blood outside humans. Jaque just happened to get a hold of a batch of some. Go ahead and drink hun."

He took another look at the goblet before offering his up for a toast with Vivian.

"Here's to something new Angel."