Feeding Time

[thelisan]

7 Whitemoon, 2E 222

"Melina, dear, it's time for a special lesson," I announce, walking into the study with Lucinda at my side.

"About vampiric feeding, I assume?"

"Clever girl. Yes," I confirm, pacing around the room to the several small altars I have set up. At each, I put my hand over a crystal and silently speak an incantation. "While we were able to work out a solution using poppets to transfer anima without direct feeding, it is... inefficient. Significant anima is lost in the transfer, bleeding out to the world around. Not harmfully like at Norvanfeld, but wastefully nonethelesss."

"I see. But I already know the process, you've explained it before. I don't think I need to watch her bite you, unless you're trying to show off," Melina replies with a knowing grin.

"That, dear apprentice, is what these altars are for," I reply, unperturbed by her remark. "Yes, you know the physical process - fangs go in, blood comes out. And theoretically, you know the flow of the ephemera as well. These, however, will help you to visualize the anima transference by planting imagery in your mind, and will provide evidence that it need not be a harmful process."

"You're, ah... you're certain about this, Lady Suncrest?" Lucinda asks nervously. "I don't, uh. Um." Words seem to fail her and her gaze drifts off into space.

"You worry about harming me. Consider Melina insurance against that," I reply, as gently as I can. "I saved her life. She won't let you take mine, I'm certain."

It seems to comfort her, and a slow breath calms her remaining jitters. "I- yes, very well. How do you want me to do this?"

"However you're most comfortable," I say, putting my hand on her shoulder.

She nods and steps closer to me, and as she does I can see she's still nervous. But as her right hand makes its way to the small of my back, I find my thoughts... clouded, muddled. I feel her lips at my neck and, in an attempt to retain coherent thought, I narrate, "In- thi-" I breathe slowly, somewhat shakily, and reach more boldly for the words. "Some vampires will- will kiss the spot they intend to bite, as a way to help you- to help you brace for the pain." I think I hear Melina trying to hold back a laugh at my expense. Lucinda puts her left hand to the nape of my neck and I find my breathing ragged and shallow suddenly. I didn't struggle like this even with Vincent or Alesia, why is it so hard to keep my head clear now?

"Please forgive me, Morgan," Lucinda whispers, just before I feel her teeth. The moan that slips from my mouth is... decidedly not pained. My knees buckle and I instinctively lean into Lucinda, my arms around her. For balance. I feel her hand in my hair and her tongue lapping gently at the wound on my neck.

"Uh. Lady Suncrest?" Melina asks after a moment, when I seem to have regained my balance.

"That- that's- I don't normally react like that," I stammer, embarrassed. I must get myself under control. Desperate to get the lesson back on track, I ask, "Did you- did- were you able to see the anima flow?"

"Oh, I saw a lot," Melina replies with a smirk. Lucinda pulls her mouth away from my neck far too soon and reaches for a clean cloth to cover the bite. "But yes, I did. You seem a bit wobbly, though."

"Yes, that's- that's normal with an anima transfer." There's more going on here and I know that. "But I'll- I'll be fine."

"Maybe you two should go sleep it off together?" Melina teases. She's having far too much fun with this.

"You keep this up and I'll have you cleaning my cauldron for a month," I warn, but clearly she isn't convinced by the threat. A glance at Lucinda tells me that she too can tell there's something off this time, but I don't know if she knows what it is.

Try as I might to find some other explanation, I worry I'm already developing feelings for her. But... no, please no. She came to me for help.

And I can't lose someone again.