Only eight hours had passed by the time Connie had returned to 29 California Boulevard, and slowly climbed the steps to the lofts. Both doors were closed, though she thought she heard the shower running. Sliding the metal doorway open into loft A, she stepped inside and out of her shoes. Floating them over to the box they came in with one thought, she removed the dress hanger from the hook on her mobile closet and floated that to her, its flightpath crossing the digital camera's.
Stripping methodically from the dress, Connie hung it then flew it back up to the closet door. Stalking in her skin through the loft to the drawers near their bed, she pulled out a pair of black boyshorts, a pair of pajama pants, and a white babydoll tee. A quiet voice in her head said "Don't forget, you're not supposed to wear white after Labor Day," but she knew that the date was still only July 13th.
Stowing her journal in the empty nook of her desk (while standing in the bedroom) she stretched and looked out over the visible city. She went through her usual 'morning' routine - albeit a few hours early, and when she was done a half hour later found herself in front of the fridge. Grabbing a couple stalks of celery, she painted one with cream cheese - Philly, of course - and the other with peanut butter. Nibbling as she climbed the stairs, she mentally powered on her computer and simultaneously grabbed the box of shoes from next to the bed and brought it up to the closet.
It felt good, she realized, to exercise that particular muscle again. She'd been a bit out of practice. After the first night she and Nyra had made love, when she'd discovered her orgasm had caused her telekinesis to go wild and picked her off the bed, she'd tried to curtail its use. Mentally holding the cream cheese-covered stalk in the air near her head as she nibbled on the peanut butter-covered one, she sat down and logged into her PC. Reaching out, she plugged in her digital camera and uploaded the new pictures she'd taken, then dated and burned them to a CD.
By the time she'd finished, both stalks of celery were consumed, and the remainder of her email had been checked. She giggled at a pair of goofy e-cards sent to her by Rachyl and Meegan and sighed at the unabashed commercialism of some of the sites she subscribed to. "Happy Birthday Connie! Come buy our stuff." Closing out of all her programs, she opened iTunes and picked a random playlist - the one that contained all her pirate tunes, especially those from the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtracks - and set it to play.
Hopping down the stairs from her office, she bounced a few times through the kitchen as her telekinesis pulled her clothes off her, before stopping nude before the bathroom door. She stepped inside, relieved herself, and took a long, steaming hot shower.
Photographs and History (Nyra)
Regally extending her hand, the vampire assisted her artist from the back seat of the vehicle. With a handshake and a thank you, Connie dismissed their limo driver. Holding the door to their shared stairway, she allowed Nyra in first, then wrapped arm around her lover's extended elbow.
"If you want to get changed first, you're more than welcome. I just need a few minutes to gather what I need..." Her voice trailed off as Nyra shook her head no, the excitement plain on her roundish face. With an acquiescing nod, Connie slid the door to their 'bedroom' open, and let Nyra inside.
As the artist made her way to the couch to sit, Connie busied herself in the kitchen, quickly pouring her lover a glass of sparkling cider. Moving to the corner with the boxes by way of the couch, she handed the glass to Nyra, gently caressing her lover's face as she walked past.
After uncovering the stack, Connie picked up the first box and carried it over to place at the side of the sofa near Nyra.
"Inside each of these boxes are photographs I've taken. Most are appropriately labelled." Connie wasn't sure if she wanted to sit and watch the proceedings, or even if Nyra wanted her to, so she offered, "I'm going to wander around for a bit. If you have any questions... just yell."
Connie
18 years ago
Connie
18 years ago
Connie went about her work day, doing what work she could from home, answered a few remaining emails.
She watched Pirates of the Caribbean but plugged in her wireless headphones. Glad that she'd gotten them so that she could come home from work and watch a movie without disturbing Nyra, she snuggled into the couch where just twelve hours ago she and her lover had talked about her... situation...
The movie lulled her to sleep.
**
Upon waking, she checked her voicemail and smiled at the birthday wishes Rachyl had left her. She wondered if their two friends were worried about what had happened the night before, but Connie also guessed they were too polite to actually ask.
Only time would tell, she knew, glancing at the heavy metal door between the two lofts.
With a loud sigh, the vampire ran her fingers through her hair, and reached out with her mind to swap the Pirates DVD for the Goonies. The sky outside darkened even as Mikey was collecting the doubloon from the shattered picture that held the map.
She watched Pirates of the Caribbean but plugged in her wireless headphones. Glad that she'd gotten them so that she could come home from work and watch a movie without disturbing Nyra, she snuggled into the couch where just twelve hours ago she and her lover had talked about her... situation...
The movie lulled her to sleep.
**
Upon waking, she checked her voicemail and smiled at the birthday wishes Rachyl had left her. She wondered if their two friends were worried about what had happened the night before, but Connie also guessed they were too polite to actually ask.
Only time would tell, she knew, glancing at the heavy metal door between the two lofts.
With a loud sigh, the vampire ran her fingers through her hair, and reached out with her mind to swap the Pirates DVD for the Goonies. The sky outside darkened even as Mikey was collecting the doubloon from the shattered picture that held the map.
Nyra
18 years ago
Exhausted mentally and physically, Nyra made her way back into the loft she shared with Connie. It was dark outside and still she had not been able to wrap her mind around the concepts presented to her yesterday. Was it just yesterday her whole world had changed, shifted slightly so that everything had become skewed and out of focus. Perhaps it was just her that was out of focus and the world was where it had always been. Either way she did not know. Nor did she know how to proceed.
Finding Connie on the couch asleep, the artist sat down on the floor close by and pondered how to proceed now that she was here. Sighing heavily she waited for Connie to wake up.
Finding Connie on the couch asleep, the artist sat down on the floor close by and pondered how to proceed now that she was here. Sighing heavily she waited for Connie to wake up.
Connie
18 years ago
As the fuzz of her nap lifted, Connie realized first that she'd slept through the movie which was now stuck at the Special Features menu, and at some point had lay down. Blinking her eyes then forcing them wide open, she was about to swing her legs to the floor when she noticed Nyra sitting on the floor, just off to the side. Tilting her head to look at the artist, then sliding towards the end to raise up onto her elbow she asked, "Why didn't you wake me? Were you waiting long? I wasn't drooling, was I?" Self-consciously, Connie wiped at the edge of her mouth with two fingers, but was relieved to find her lip and cheek dry.
"How are you doing? Are you hungry? We can order in if you like. Is there anything I can get you? Would you like me to keep asking you questions or would you rather me shut up so you can talk?" Moving her hand back to her mouth, Connie flattened her lips and pressed them together as if to show she was going to shut up, then pointed to her mouth with her free hand.
"How are you doing? Are you hungry? We can order in if you like. Is there anything I can get you? Would you like me to keep asking you questions or would you rather me shut up so you can talk?" Moving her hand back to her mouth, Connie flattened her lips and pressed them together as if to show she was going to shut up, then pointed to her mouth with her free hand.
Nyra
18 years ago
Nyra took a deep breath as her lover rambled on and on. A lopsided smile graced her face at the other woman's antics. Sitting watching her sleep had actually helped more than the past twenty odd hours or so. Resting her chin in her hand and her elbow on her knee that was crossed indian fashion.
"I'm tired. And I cant think about this anymore without chasing my own tail and that only makes me dizzy. So sitting here, watching you sleep I came to a few conclusions."
It was frightening how just those few minutes helped her but that was reality and she was playing along with this new version even though she doubted she could make any sense of it.
"First off, I know I love you no matter if you are a normal ordinary accountant, or a vampire or a martian. Two, I would like to be told the truth from here on out, about everything please. If you can think of things I need to know, you have two days, then I would really like full disclosure. C, no more hiding things. If you can change into a bat or walk on the ceiling please do so I can either adapt or at least not freak out when it happens randomly."
Scrubbing her face with her hands, she ended up tugging on her hair. "I feel like you have this huge secret double life and I dont even know the real you. Its like waking up and realizing Im with James Bond, only cuter of course. Though Sean Connery was pretty hot."
Waving the thought away with a hand the artist tried not to ramble. "Is this possible? I mean do you even want to try?"
"I'm tired. And I cant think about this anymore without chasing my own tail and that only makes me dizzy. So sitting here, watching you sleep I came to a few conclusions."
It was frightening how just those few minutes helped her but that was reality and she was playing along with this new version even though she doubted she could make any sense of it.
"First off, I know I love you no matter if you are a normal ordinary accountant, or a vampire or a martian. Two, I would like to be told the truth from here on out, about everything please. If you can think of things I need to know, you have two days, then I would really like full disclosure. C, no more hiding things. If you can change into a bat or walk on the ceiling please do so I can either adapt or at least not freak out when it happens randomly."
Scrubbing her face with her hands, she ended up tugging on her hair. "I feel like you have this huge secret double life and I dont even know the real you. Its like waking up and realizing Im with James Bond, only cuter of course. Though Sean Connery was pretty hot."
Waving the thought away with a hand the artist tried not to ramble. "Is this possible? I mean do you even want to try?"
Connie
18 years ago
Connie felt her spirits lifted when Nyra smiled, but knew something might be 'up' when the younger woman didn't join her on the couch.
She listened intently to Nyra's requests, almost grinning at the martian crack, and again when she skipped from first to two to 'c'. "Two days? Hadn't I just covered just about everything the night before?" Tilting her head at Nyra as she continued on about the huge secret double life, she just wanted to hug her lover tightly and wish all the pain away.
"I want to try," the voice in her head said. It finally made its way to her mouth, albeit in a whisper. "I do want to try, Nyra. I wouldn't have told you if I didn't. And my life isn't that huge of a secret, either... just the manner in how I got here and in my mode of sustenance. If you really want, we can have a Connie History Lesson... But we would be able to have you learn those things over the course of time... If you were willing." She furrowed her brow for a moment and amended, "There's probably a little bit you would need to know about, well, vampires... But again, I think I covered all the salient points. And any other questions you can think of you can ask. You might even be tempted to go to the library to pick up some relevant research material..."
Her voice stronger, she repeated, "I believe it is possible, Nyra." Connie gazed affectionately at the younger woman. Still tempted to reach out and embrace her, she reached out to brush away the hair obscuring Nyra's eyes. "I believe -we- are possible."
She listened intently to Nyra's requests, almost grinning at the martian crack, and again when she skipped from first to two to 'c'. "Two days? Hadn't I just covered just about everything the night before?" Tilting her head at Nyra as she continued on about the huge secret double life, she just wanted to hug her lover tightly and wish all the pain away.
"I want to try," the voice in her head said. It finally made its way to her mouth, albeit in a whisper. "I do want to try, Nyra. I wouldn't have told you if I didn't. And my life isn't that huge of a secret, either... just the manner in how I got here and in my mode of sustenance. If you really want, we can have a Connie History Lesson... But we would be able to have you learn those things over the course of time... If you were willing." She furrowed her brow for a moment and amended, "There's probably a little bit you would need to know about, well, vampires... But again, I think I covered all the salient points. And any other questions you can think of you can ask. You might even be tempted to go to the library to pick up some relevant research material..."
Her voice stronger, she repeated, "I believe it is possible, Nyra." Connie gazed affectionately at the younger woman. Still tempted to reach out and embrace her, she reached out to brush away the hair obscuring Nyra's eyes. "I believe -we- are possible."
Nyra
18 years ago
Resisting the urge to cover her ears with her hands at the idea of more information and even research. Nyra shook her head. "I am glad. I really am. But now I need a hug and sleep cus even though I laid down, I dont think I really slept well at all in the last few days."
Opening her arms to her lover she hoped that they could make whatever this was work. Especially for both of them, since apparently Connie had different needs than she had previously been aware of.
Opening her arms to her lover she hoped that they could make whatever this was work. Especially for both of them, since apparently Connie had different needs than she had previously been aware of.
Connie
18 years ago
Standing, Connie held her hands out to Nyra and gently pulled her lover to her feet. Placing the artist's hands on her shoulders, the raven-haired vampire leaned into the shorter woman and hugged her tenderly. A sudden tear sprang to the vampire's eyes as she realized how her schedule and proclivities at first had been making Nyra ill - what with sleeping odd hours and all - and now her choice to put all of the truth on the table was making her uncomfortable too. Voice husky with emotion, Connie rubbed her cheek against Nyra's as she apologized softly, "I'm sorry if I hurt you, Nyra. Twasn't my intention, I hope you know that. I just... needed you to know, you know?"
After the two women parted, Connie wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. Raising both of her hands to Nyra's shoulders, she gently turned the artist and pointed her towards the bathroom. When Nyra made her way inside, Connie walked over to their bed and flipped the covers back. Sliding to the far side of the bed, she lay on her side and waited for her lover to join her.
After the two women parted, Connie wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. Raising both of her hands to Nyra's shoulders, she gently turned the artist and pointed her towards the bathroom. When Nyra made her way inside, Connie walked over to their bed and flipped the covers back. Sliding to the far side of the bed, she lay on her side and waited for her lover to join her.
Nyra
18 years ago
Relieved that hugging Connie felt like it always did; warm, welcoming and cherished. Nyra nodded at her partner's apology and dutifully went to the restroom. Changing into a knee length sleep shirt before brushing her teeth the artist was running on automatic. Emotionally exhausted she shuffled back to the bedroom and climbed into bed. It felt natural to snuggle up against her lover before she slipped into sleep.
This time her sleep was neither fitful nor haunted by monsters. Instead she dreamt of painting. Each brush stroke that took to make a greater whole soon formed Connie's face, full of love and acceptance. How could she give her anything less than that in return.
This time her sleep was neither fitful nor haunted by monsters. Instead she dreamt of painting. Each brush stroke that took to make a greater whole soon formed Connie's face, full of love and acceptance. How could she give her anything less than that in return.
Connie
18 years ago
There was no mistaking the drained aura Nyra exuded as she slid into bed next to Connie. Without even so much as a good night kiss, the artist twisted in bed then wiggled backwards to snuggle against the vampire.
Exerting all of her willpower not to enfold the steel-tense human before her in her arms, Connie settled for sliding her hand under their pillows, resting gently against Nyra's own arm. Her other hand lay along the length of her body, fingers splayed against her thigh as she spooned her lover.
Connie breathed in Nyra's earthy-crunchy scent as her mind cast over the previous few days... the preparation for the photographs, the actual date, the disclosure... She knew that she'd dropped a very heavy anchor in their relationship... But it still needed to be done. Connie needed Nyra. She enjoyed the woman's company, the bright sunshine the human brought into her life. The strength of her love, convictions, and her really, really good cooking... She nearly made herself snort aloud at how silly that thought sounded even inside her own head. As she pondered further the reasons she loved Nyra, she felt her lover's body relax slowly against her, presumably slipping into sleep. A tiny grain of temptation struck Connie: what if she were reach her mind into Nyra's dreams? But her heart and the rest of her logical, practical mind she knew that such a demonstration would be way too intrusive, especially considering what had happened in the last twenty four hours.
Burying her nose and face in her lover's hair, Connie allowed her hand to curl around Nyra's body to rest against the artist's own arm as she slipped into a deep slumber.
(( Connie and Nyra out ))
Exerting all of her willpower not to enfold the steel-tense human before her in her arms, Connie settled for sliding her hand under their pillows, resting gently against Nyra's own arm. Her other hand lay along the length of her body, fingers splayed against her thigh as she spooned her lover.
Connie breathed in Nyra's earthy-crunchy scent as her mind cast over the previous few days... the preparation for the photographs, the actual date, the disclosure... She knew that she'd dropped a very heavy anchor in their relationship... But it still needed to be done. Connie needed Nyra. She enjoyed the woman's company, the bright sunshine the human brought into her life. The strength of her love, convictions, and her really, really good cooking... She nearly made herself snort aloud at how silly that thought sounded even inside her own head. As she pondered further the reasons she loved Nyra, she felt her lover's body relax slowly against her, presumably slipping into sleep. A tiny grain of temptation struck Connie: what if she were reach her mind into Nyra's dreams? But her heart and the rest of her logical, practical mind she knew that such a demonstration would be way too intrusive, especially considering what had happened in the last twenty four hours.
Burying her nose and face in her lover's hair, Connie allowed her hand to curl around Nyra's body to rest against the artist's own arm as she slipped into a deep slumber.
(( Connie and Nyra out ))