«Sleepless Beauty»

Dimitri Crawley

Times were dark, the future bleak. The rays of hope the sun had once cast upon the land had long been forgotten, the fire smoldered by the heavy clouds that hung drearily in the slate colored sky. Now there was nothing but cold ice, harsh temperatures and chilling winds that whipped at your face and body without mercy.

The city life was tiresome, unhealthy, and the air was thick with pollution and other distasteful wastes. It was no wonder many escaped its borders and retired to the cliffs just outside of town. Some came to gaze out at the ancient forest below, others for more drastic reasons. Face-down bodies slumped in the foilage below were becoming more common as people resorted to extreme measures, wishing to end their life rather than face the graves they had dug themselves. The irony of that was actually quite sickening.

The birds began to make their way back into the forest as dusk quickly approached, and I watched their silhouettes as they flew past. My gaze shifted downward, and I scanned the treetops warily. I'd need something to quench the fiery thirst that had been slowly ravaging my throat, and I mulled over whether I should step foot in the forest tonight. It seemed unnaturally eerie, though I had a good idea as to why it gave off such an aura. They'd be arriving sooner than I'd hoped. I was nowhere near ready. There was so much to do, so little time...and yet time was all I had in this world.

I cleared my throat, readying myself to turn around and head back. Alisya would be awaiting my return, and I knew better than to keep her waiting.

The ground crunched beneath my steps as I distanced myself from the edge of the cliff, and I let out a soft sigh. There was so much that needed to be taken care of, so much more to finish than I could possibly accomplish on my own. The thought was almost overwhelming. Overwhelming. I paused. A sweet perfume wafted through the icy air, and my mouth watered at the luscious scent. It was hot, fresh, available...I shook the thoughts away and headed toward the origin of the temptation. Up ahead I could spot the outline of woman's body, her hair mangled with the sticky blood that oozed from her neck, her stomach, the small of her back. It was almost intoxcating.

I once again reoriented myself and made my way toward her unmoving form. What had followed her here that could have done this? Correction. Who had followed her here that could have done this? Others knew better than to hunt on our land. It was not worth the heavy consquences. My head spun as I approached, and I instinctively held my breath to avoid taking in her heavy scent. Breathing wasn't necessary, but something human I had not quite let go of yet. It was a comfort rather than a requirement.

I slowed my steps as I came upon her body, and I halted just a few feet away. My eyes scanned her bloodstained clothes, and I quickly noticed the familiar pattern of her wounds. She had been a victim of one of mine, but who exactly it was baffled me. The scent that lingered was faint, mingled with the scent of her blood and the snow, but it was traceable. Traceable, though one I had yet to be aquainted with. I unconsciously took another step forward, but I was hindered by the alarming sound of her voice. Her eyes opened, warm amber pools filled with fierce pain that sent a shiver down my spine. The transformation would begin soon enough, and it would be impossible to suppress the screams.

"You there," my voice rang out clear in the frosty air, and my eyes settled themselves on her pained expression. "I bid you no ill will."

((ooc: Anyone can join as the woman. Please be descriptive, and PLEASE NO ONE-LINING! At least five. Thank you!))

Dimitri Crawley

The woman was quite beautiful, there was no mistaking that, and I allowed myself to inch closer to her as she lay barely conscious. Hot blood continued to ooze from the wounds she had sustained, and I wrinkled my nose in response. Her screams would soon begin to pierce the air if I didn't get her out of here, and fast. I continued to hold my breath, fighting against my thirst, against the urge to such the life out of her, as I mentally prepared myself for what was to come.

I watched as her body began to twitch, and to my surprise she pushed herself through the pain and into an upright position, her hazy eyes attempting to catch ahold of mine. "Everything will be alright," I spoke aloud, mostly to reassure myself that it was safe to continue. It was difficult for me to ignore her fearful eyes, her pulsing heart and warm blood. It would be all to easy to end it all right here, to give into my desires and quench my thirst. She wouldn't have to suffer anymore. She could drift away into eternal bliss...I quickly shook the thoughts from my mind and gazed at her once again. No, I would not alow myself to commit such an atrocity.

"You have my word," I replied softly, taking another few steps toward where she lay, half-conscious and half-alive. She would soon slip again into the silent darkness of her mind, so I would simply wait for her body to give out. It was only a matter of time.

"I will not hurt you."

((ooc: I finally replied. Yay! Lol.))

Dimitri Crawley

I approached her cautiously at first, unsure when she would begin her frenzy of screams. As I reached her I noticed her eyes were beginning to drown in crimson. Her breathing was slow, heavy, haggard, and her heartbeat, as faint as it was before, was now racing uncontrollably. Yes, one thing was certain. The transformation would begin very soon.

I needed to get her out of here as quickly as possible.

"May I?" I gently lifted her into my arms, frowning as her blood stained my jacket as I held her close to me. I scanned the forest once more, praying that they would not arrive. Not tonight. Any night but tonight. "I'll take you some place safe. You won't have to suffer alone, I promise you," I spoke softly into her ear, hoping that she was alert enough to hear me.


((ooc: ))

Dimitri Crawley

Her screams began to pierce the air, and I cringed at the sharp sound, my body tightening as I held her closer. My eyes trailed from the treetops back to the suffering woman in my arms, and I immediately took off into a run. The world was but a blur around me as I raced across the snow, leaving nothing but small drops of blood as I carried her to safety. I would need to find her a room in the house where no one would disturb her, and where she wouldn't be able to cause much damage. Newborns were often moody, uncontrollable, and very volatile. I wouln't want her going on a rampage in the mansion.

In a few minutes I had already passed through the city and back into the hills, and I sped toward the deck where Alisya was waiting for me. As I stepped onto the porch she eyed the woman warily, unsure of whether to approach or not.

"A woman," she spoke up, her voice a soft, bell-like whisper. She was breathtaking, with curly blonde tresses cascading around her cheeks and framing her porcelain face. "She's been attacked by one of ours. Do you know who has done this, Dimitri?"

I shook my head, not daring to take a breath of air.

"Take her to the room at the very top of the stairs, next to father's old dormitory. I'll take care of her from there," Alisya directed, and she took a step aside for me to enter the house.

"Thank you," I replied, and I stepped past her and through the doorway. As I made my way up the stairs I noticed the woman was beginning to go into convulsions, and I tightened my grip on her. The screams would only become louder.


((ooc: ))

Dimitri Crawley

The memories of one's transformation is not something easily forgotten. My own had taken place more than one hundred years in the past, though I remembered them clearly, as if it happened only a few days ago. No words could ever describe the amount of pain required to become immortal. It was a process like nothing anyone could ever imagine.

My body tightened as she began to squirm, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. I immediately squeezed her hand and ran my fingers through her hair. There was no way to comfort her excruciating experience, but there was one way I could think to end it.

"Tell me...do you honestly, truly want to die?" I whispered softly in her ear. She would be unable to hear me over her own screams otherwise. "I can end this for you. Just give me the word, and I'll ease you of this misery."

I knew it wasn't fair to ask her such a thing in her state. The answer was obvious. It would be a repeat of every previous situation I had ever come across. She would agree to be killed and I would be forced to comply.

Unless...maybe she was strong enough to get through this after all. I stroked her hair, letting my lips creep dangerously close to her ear once again.
"Unless you can fight this. If you can fight this, you will never feel this degree of pain ever again. Nothing that crosses your path will compare to these two days. You will be virtually invincible." I paused, letting the words sink into her mind. I wasn't quite sure if I was getting through to her, if she could comprehend my words in a state such as hers, but attempted nonetheless. Maybe I really could save her life...

"I promise I won't leave your side. Tell me, can you fight this?"

((ooc: ))

Dimitri Crawley

I was honestly surprised at her reaction, but my astonishment was quickly replaced with amazement. A large grin passed my lips, and I watched as she threw her head back once again in pain. This time, however, I didn't wince as much when she let out another bloodcurdling scream.

"That a girl," I chuckled lightly, and I immediately turned toward the doorway at the barely audible footsteps of my sister. I watched as she entered the room, her honey eyes catching sight of the woman's twitching form.

"So she doesn't want to die," she spoke in her bell-like voice, her tone curious. She made her way over to where I kneeled and gazed at the woman intently. "How odd. What do you make of this, dear brother?" she questioned, turning her amber orbs back toward my own. I let another smile pass my lips.

"Obviously she has a strong will to survive," I replied nonchalantly, though I was thoroughly fascinated with this woman. How was it that she was enduring such an extreme amount of pain, even after I had given her the option to just give in, to end it all right here and there? It was strange to me, no doubt about that, and what her intentions were baffled me.

"Yes, that much is certain," the female vampire spoke up once again, and the air seemed to relax at the sound of her voice. Even her presence was calming, almost entrancing, as was her beauty. "Does she have a name?"

I suddenly perked up at her question, curiosity flooding my mind as I unconsciously stepped closer to the woman. "Honestly, Alis, I haven't the slightest clue." This was true, and I found myself anxious to learn who exactly this woman was. I was drawn to her, drawn by the mystery that shrouded her as she continued to cry out in pain.

((ooc: ))

Dimitri Crawley

"Dimitri, do you believe she will refuse my gift?" Alisya's voice rang softly through the air, still full of curiosity. My eyes left the woman's wriggling form and gazed at my sister, my expression dumfounded.

"What?" I asked, caught off guard by what she had suggested. "Are you mad, Alis?" I was clearly taken aback, unable to grasp the concept that anyone would ever choose to refuse her gift in such a state as this. It was utterly and completely unbelievable.

Alis, however, wasn't as prone to surprises as I was. Her expression was only one of suttle interest. "Remember her eyes, brother. It is obvious she has the ability to fight this on her own." Her words were always full of wisdom and knowledge, and at times it irritated me just how blind I was to many things in this world. I had certainly not noticed the extent of her independence, though my observations hadn't been very thorough. I was too intrigued by her identity more than anything else.

I thought back to they way her eyes appeared while she was still conscious, just as Alis had instructed me to do, and I immediately understood her meaning. They were fiery, not only with pain but with determination, and she even refused to cry out as she clutched the couch with all the strength she could muster. I studied her fingernails, watching as they caused no damage to cushions that supported her grip. By the end of this trasnformation, she would have the power to rip it to shreds.

"I shall attempt nonetheless," Alisya's soft voice rang out once again, bringing me back to my senses. The woman before them had indeed a strong will, but could anyone refuse the gift Alis was so willing to share? There was no pain greater in the entire world than that of a transformation, and if she had someone that could ease that pain even just a small amount...I would have done anything for an opportunity such as that.

"Woman," Alis cooed, stroking her hair ever so gently as whispered into her ear. She was still lost within her own mind, as she had slowly succumbed to the pain, but maybe, just maybe Alis could reach her.

"Shall you accept my help and ease your pain? Or shall you continue to lay in agony within our walls?"

((ooc: I CHANGED MY MIND!!!! I WANT TO GO WITH YOU TO SEE YOUR MOM AND KIMMY. CALL ME AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP. I DON'T CARE HOW EARLY IT IS. DO IT. Lol.))

Dimitri Crawley

"As you wish," Alisya replied softly, her melodic voice entrancing and beautiful--just simple words were like song.

"You should warn her," I immediately spoke up, my golden orbs now hard with worry as I gazed at the woman's twitching form. It was true her pain would vanish, that was undoubted, but the manner in which Alisya took action had thrust former newborns into near madness. I found it unlikely she would be affected in such a way, but a clear warning was a necessity.

"Warn her, you can," she replied monotonously, and she beckoned me closer before placing her hands gently atop the woman's eyes. Would she honestly use her powers over her, this helpless woman, without allowing her prior knowledge of what was to come?

I rushed forward, bringing my lips to her ear as I whispered lightly and reassuringly. "Stay calm, and you will remain unharmed. Your senses will be dulled--you will feel blind, deaf and mute all at once, but your pain will cease and you will remain this way until the transformation is complete. It may be frightening, but I assure you it is worth avoiding the pain. Are you ready?"

((ooc: Haha. I finally replied! Yay!))

Dimitri Crawley

Her response caused my eyes to widen in alarm, and I closed my eyes in an attempt to double check what I thought I had just heard. No? She said no?
I brought my lips to her ear once again, my voice urgent and a bit anxious.

"I promise you relief from your pain. How can you deny me so?" he whispered, bringing his hand gently to her cheek and moving a bit of hair that had fallen to shroud her face. "The pain is unbearable now, but I must warn you--it only worsens as time passes. Are you certain to pass up this chance at reprieve?"

Alisya's eyes continued to rest upon the woman's struggling form, the whites of her knuckles and the blood that now trickled down her lip as a result of the intense agony coursing through her veins. She remained unphased by the situation, however, and it caused a small heat to rise in my body. How could she continuously lack the emotions that nearly always gave me away to others? It frustrated me beyond belief.

((ooc: Haha. I finally replied! Yay!))

Dimitri Crawley

As I lifted my gaze to meet that of my sister's I was surprised to find she had vanished altogether, leaving only the woman and I in the room. This woman, who so miraculously not only fought against the pain but beat it entirely--the woman who I found myself utterly fascinated by.

"Yes, I suppose I do," I replied in response to her words, though it was long after she had drifted into a quiet sleep. My finger methodically trailed along her cheekbones, to her eyes and nose, and I gently pushed away another bit of her bangs from her face as she slept soundly. Her breathing was now slowly returning to a normal and healthy rhythm. I frowned slightly, bringing my fingertips to her lips to feel her warm breath on my skin.

She wouldn't be breathing much longer.

((ooc: Haha. I finally replied! Yay!))

Dimitri Crawley

At her soft stirs I thought to remove my hand from her hair, though as I watched her eyes flutter open my fingers remained playing with the strands that continuously fell to shield her perfect features. She had awoken much sooner than I had expected, and I found myself further taken aback by how easily it was for her to find her voice once again.

Why? I furrowed my brows in confusion at her question, my golden pools intensely studying her newly crimson ones. What did she mean, why? Why was she still able to exist? Why did all mortal associated traits seem to vanish completely upon her awakening? Why was she ravaged by an unfamiliar and unforgiving thirst that undoubtedly would drive her to the brink of insanity if not attended to quickly?

I parted my lips, intending to say something, but the words would not come. How could I possibly begin to understand this woman? Every action she seemed to take brought me nothing but utter bewilderment, complex dumbfounding that only brought frustration at my social incompetence.

Rather than answering the woman's question I only gazed at her silently, my fingers still gently caressing her blond locks--my newly spawned perplexity betraying my ability to speak.

((ooc: Haha. I finally replied! Yay!))

Dimitri Crawley

"Hush, hush," I comforted and cooed, taking her tense hands within my cold grasp. "The thirst is almost unbearable in the beginning, but you'll learn to control those cravings."

Slowly I brought her hands back down to her lap, never removing my gaze from her now crimson and alarmed eyes. Her lust seemed to be immense, much more than I had expected it to be. Then again, this woman had completed the transformation much sooner than I had expected as well. What power she held within the depths of her corpse.

She would be a handful, and in a time when visitors were expected, it was not the most ideal situation to find myself in. Aleister was approaching, I could sense his presence drawing near. It was one I had not had the pleasure of experiencing in hundreds of years, though I received it as if I had seen him only yesterday. His aura was one not easily forgotten.

"Alice is on her way up. She will bring you something to calm your throat, but I implore you to keep your hands away from your skin. Although you will not do much damage, you are making me rather anxious."

((ooc: Haha. I finally replied! Yay!))