Memorial Day

Memorial Day. It was not the day that held real meaning to Ethan, but the simple realization that it heralded the start of summertime. Picking Brit up, Ethan jumped the railing and carried her to the rocks over the water away from the sweat and grime of the city. The tide caused the water to lap quietly on the rocks and the sound added to the peacefulness of the night.

Settling her back against him, Brit felt his face press against her hair. Ethan’s lips slide along the side pressing softly along her pulse points. Her body emanated heat. Mingled with the humid night, a thin layer of sweat caused from their fencing lesson salted her skin. There was a hint of sadness within him and Brit could pick up on the mood. “The nights are shorter,” she finally said. Her words were not so much of a question as it was a confirmation. Ethan nodded and pulled her closer.

Breaking the night’s silence, a couple were shouting at each other. “It’s your fault,” screamed the girl. A male voice immediately followed, “It’s your fault!” Both looked to the nearby building where a small window was open. More yelling followed by occasional slaps and punches followed. Brit’s eyes widened as she heard the loud crash from inside of the building. Ethan’s better hearing caused him to grin. Placing his lips to her ear, he whispered, “I believe those two have settled their differences.”

Brit seemed confused until her thoughts hit upon a plausible explanation. “They made up!” she whispered gleefully. Seeing Ethan’s grin, she snuggled back against him to enjoy the night and felt his lips explore her neck a bit more, which distracted her from the window above. Closing her eyes, Brit tilted her head to feel him caress her skin. Ethan pulled her closer to him.

It seemed a night for loving activity. Earlier, they had encountered a couple who had not left their room all day. Brit deemed they must have been very tired. Ethan had been quite sure that they were exhausted after their marathon ‘rest.’ A neko pair growled and hissed in the park causing the uninformed to avoid the area less the fight break out while they were near. A couple who was new to the city took advantage of having set up the bed first just a few doors down from the quarreling couple.

“Look up at the moon, Brit,” whispered Ethan. As she gazed up at it, he said softly, “If I were in Constantinople and you were here, we can gaze upon the same moon.” Brit smiled. Ethan continued, “No matter where we are, you can look at the moon and know I’m smiling back to you.”

Turning to him, she said, “And the same for you. I will never look at the moon without thinking of you, Ethan. Even if you are not right here with me.” Entwining her fingers in his, she peeked at him. “Of course, you should always be with me…when the moon is seen like this.” Going quiet, she thinks of the times he has had to make a trip without her. “I do not wish us to be apart anymore…maybe…if you have business….you should just take me along always.”

His fingers stroked her hair and he listened to the sounds of the night without replying for a few moments. “Brit, if it is possible, you are with me. I never go without you less it is absolutely necessary.” When she did not reply, he touched her face. “I will not place you in danger, baby.” His tone let her know that it was not for discussion. Puffing her cheeks, she simply nodded.

Brit turned to him to speak. No words came as someone had crossed the railing to move toward the rocks. Ethan caught the sound of someone there as well. Both turned so they could see more clearly. A man with blonde hair crossed the railing. Looking both ways, he reached to help a dark-haired lady into his arms. The lady was seriously injured and Brit looked to Ethan wondering if they should suggest a hospital.

Ethan pressed a single finger to her lips as he watched. The man settled the lady on the rocks and looked both ways. Not seeing anyone near, he opened the lady’s clothing revealing several gruesome wounds. Not caring that the wounds were bloody, he pressed his hands to them. Light gleamed from him as he muttered soft words. The lady fell against the rocks as if she had no energy to hold her with a soft cry. Brit simply watched.

The blonde man continued to mutter as the dark lady cried out softly reaching for him. Her fingers stretched until she touched him and seemed to make a complete circuit which calmed her. The light was bright beneath the man’s fingertips and the lady cried out softly again. “It hurts,” she stifled a sob as she lay on the rocks.

“Shhh,” soothed the man as he continued to press his glowing hands to her.

“It hurts, damn you! It hurts!” The lady struggled to keep from sobbing as the man continued to work. “I guess you like that….that it hurts…that I hurt.” He did not reply but continued to apply his hands, now red with her blood, to her wounds. “Ow,” she cried out and fell back onto the rocks with silent tears flowing freely.

Brit’s eyes filled with tears for the lady as she watched. Ethan pulled her closer and cautioned her to not make a sound. He had never seen either in the city before. With the moonlight so bright, both could easily see the lady was soaked in her own blood. “Nearly perished,” thought Brit. Ethan squeezed her gently in warning.

Ethan could see the man’s energy waning as he worked. Sweat caused his blonde hair to darken. The lady’s wounds bled less and her sobs grew less until they were the slightest of whimpers. As the last wound closed, the blonde man cupped her thigh and placed his lips to kiss the spot as it healed beneath his hands. The lady’s hand touched his wet hair. Silence followed for several minutes. “Thank you,” whispered the lady.

The man looked up in surprise smiling for a moment. The couple sat together simply touching. Not moving. Not talking. “Not a worry, Jezabeth,” said the man. “It grieved me to see you injured by anyone else but me.”

The lady groaned as she rose up to her elbows to look at him. “You are a bastard. A complete and total bastard.” He chuckled causing her to glare. “Did anyone see you with me?” she blurted out.

Tilting his head, he said, “No, but your blood is all over my hands. I’m bathed in your scent.”

Sitting up, she said, “Well, go bathe soap and water. And thank you, I guess.” She was shaky as she made her way back to the rail crawling over it.

Looking at his blood-coated hands, the man responded, “I suppose that I’ll see you later. So you can thank me properly.”

Turning, the lady spat toward him, “Well then, love. Be sure you use the back staircase. Naturally.”

The blonde man chuckled and said, “Naturally.” The lady nodded and strode away angrily. Brit looked up at Ethan quizzically wondering if the couple hated each other. As the lady walked away, the blonde man touched his bloodied hand to his lips kissing it and blew it in the direction of the shadowy figure. “Soon, my beauty. Soon,” he whispered as he got to his feet and left in a separate direction.

Watching until the couple was clearly out of sight, Brit lisped, “Those two hate each other!”

Chuckling, Ethan said, “I don’t think so.” Seeing she did not understand, he said, “I’ll explain soon.” She tilted her head. With a laugh, he whispered, “Soon, my beauty, soon!”

Giggling, she said “Um…well…be sure you use the back staircase, naturally.”

Ethan blinked gazing at her for a moment only to break into a grin seeing Brit had no clue about such implications. “Naturally, love…run ahead of me less you not be there when I arrive.” Brit scampered toward the railing and slipped over it most improperly. Ethan followed ensuring she ran into him several times before she arrived home, and he bit her playfully each time he caught her.

In their resting place, Brit was giggling loudly as she burst through their door. Ethan grinned and then followed using the back staircase. Naturally. Once there, they made the most of what was left of the night giving each a fond memory of the unofficial start of summer.

The Power of Touch

Ethan rose and greeted Brit in the traditional way before asking what she might like to do that evening. At her response, he paused. “You wish to do what?” he said with an eyebrow raised in surprise.

“I wish to give you a massage,” was the matter-of-fact response. Ethan’s second eyebrow joined the first unsure what to say or even where to begin. Brit puffed her cheeks and slid a book from his desk. Opening it, she read slowly, “Massage is a way for beloveds to get closer. It is a way to connect mentally and physically by engaging all senses.” Looking up, she whispered, “That sounds good, huh.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed as he reached for the book. Flipping it open, he examined its contents thinking he may be paying someone in the library yet another visit. Brit continued to chatter as he flipped through the pages. She rushed through the titles starting with the history of massage and the power of touch. Her words flowed faster when he gazed over the book to her as she was telling him of the medical benefits of such practices. “I am not generally afflicted with headaches nor do I require help with increased circulation, darling,” he replied.

Pausing, Brit lisped, “I do not have headaches, Ethan, but maybe I would like increased circulation. My blood circulates.” Ethan tilted her head noting that she had clearly read the book and was obviously taken with the idea of doing something new to increase their closeness. Peeking into her mind, he could see she had linked the concept with romantic notions befitting a young wife. It showed growth, which pleased him greatly.

Looking around, he noticed that she had already made some preparations for a massage. Closing the book, he knew she likely went with the book’s suggestions for trying something new, and he did not wish to spoil her fun by knowing what was next. Besides, she looked cute dressed in her loose, frilly summertime nightgown. Ethan focused on his wife who was placing towels about the room and went to lighting soft-scented candles that she had enjoyed on their last vacation.

Brit spread out a thick sheet over their resting area while he watched with a bemused expression. She ran from the room only to return with a stack of towels and some oil that was heating in rusty-colored, warm water. “Where did you obtain the oil?” Ethan asked. Upon hearing the answer, Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment. He read the label carefully and found she had followed the book to purchase sweet almond oil. Opening it, he sniffed to ensure it was pure and nodded with satisfaction choosing not to scold her for venturing into the porn shop for the purchase.

Pressing play for music, a version of “When Love and Death Embrace” poured from the small speakers. Brit shook out a second sheet and peeked over it. “Um…you have to strip.”

Mouthing the word “strip”, Ethan coughed softly into his hand. Yes, she was definitely demonstrating growth, he thought as he shrugged off his jacket coat while watching her clear green eyes over the edge of the sheet. Regrouping, Ethan asked casually, “Did the book instruct you to tell me to strip, baby?”

She processed as she thought carefully, “No, but it said I have to rub everywhere and, if you did not strip, then oil would get all over your clothing.” Her eyes widened and he was amused that she was sincerely concerned over the potential damage to his clothing. Not wishing to tease too much, he discarded his clothing and let her wrap him in the sheet to direct him to the second sheet.

Ethan felt suddenly clumsy when she instructed him to lie on his back. He watched her curiously feeling suddenly unworldly beneath the sheet while he watched her move about. Rather than start to pour oil on him, she picked up the hair brush and focused on brushing his hair. When his eyes kept watching her, she leaned to kiss him before barely putting oil on her fingers and massaged his face gently then moved to rub his scalp. Her fingers caressed and she dragged her fingers lightly over the skin.

Feeling Ethan start to relax, Brit poured a bit more oil on her fingers and pressed them beneath him to let his weight push him on her hands that pulled gently along his large shoulders. He took a breath and exhaled slowly causing her to pause as he did not need to breathe. Feeling him relax more, she smiled.

Brit took her time caressing his skin. Sometimes, she would find tense spots, just like the book described. For these, she would press her palms and fingers against his flesh and slowly work the tension to his fingertips until he was completely relaxed. When she told him to roll to his tummy, a loud pop from several vertebrae were heard causing both to pause looking bewildered. Seeing her wide eyes, Ethan smiled catching a hand and placing it to his lips to let her know that she did not break him.

True to the book, Brit carefully practiced with long body massage strokes and kneaded the larger muscles in between. Her pace was very slow taking far more time that one might with such activity. Peeking again at her thoughts, she was focused on her hands and the feel of his body beneath them. No other thoughts entered her mind except following the instructions of the book, and the pleasure she had of examining him relaxed but not resting. She paused only when more soft pops were heard as his spine relaxed.

This time, it was Ethan who processed. He focused on the feelings and sensations that her touch yielded. Also the differences in the way she touched his skin. With a slight shift, he pondered that perhaps he would rethink his opinion of such practices. Immediately, he grimaced at the thought of anyone else giving him a massage. Rage flared at the slightest thought of anyone else touching her, and he quickly pushed the thought from his mind. This was an activity that should be reserved for proper couples, he thought.

“Are you okay,” asked Brit. Ethan refocused on her face as she gazed at him oddly. “You seemed uneasy for a moment,” she lisped. He noted that she was definitely in tune with him – possibly more than she had ever been before.

As for Ethan, he felt closer to her as well and marveled at the power of such a simple act. Ethan shook his head and said, “I was thinking….perhaps it is your turn.” He sat up feeling blissful. Pulling her nightgown off, he pressed her on to the sheet.

Brit whispered, “They don’t say how to get a massage…just how to give one!”

Chuckling, he said teasingly, “Then I suppose you shall learn like I did.” Pouring a bit of oil into his hands, he mimicked her actions almost to the textbook letter. Rather than lying lazily beneath his hands, Brit squirmed like a playful kitten. Ethan grinned and continued until he scooped her up to hold her tightly to him drinking lovingly from her throat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFLN8cMuWL0

Låt den Rätte Komma In

Lifting her head from Ethan’s shoulder as the credits rolled, Brit asked, “Did she love him or does she need him?” The movie was called Låt den Rätte Komma In. It was a Swedish movie about a 12-year old boy named Oskar, and a 200 year old vampire child named Eli. Oskar was being bullied at school and befriends a mysterious child who moved in next door to him and his mother. Eli lived with an older man who took care of her. The two develop a close relationship as Eli struggles with changes that challenge her ability to care for herself, and Oskar strives to resolve his issues with school bullies.

Ethan shifted uncomfortably. He did not have an answer. The movie dealt with several issues that focused on the darker side of humanity and vampiric nature. He knew without peeking into her mind that Brit would be processing the movie for days if not weeks. She did not understand the nature of bullies. A need for someone to make themselves feel more powerful by preying on others was beyond her scope of understanding. When Oskar was being tormented, she whispered, “He needs a redeemer.”

The need for killing people when Eli drank was explained when Eli fed directly. Ethan explained that some thoughts on the creation of vampires were that it was caused by a virus-like organism that could be gained when the vampire fed. Ethan also carefully explained how his chylder was created in a way that Brit could comprehend. As he spoke, his fingers caressed her skin as his mind sifted her thoughts to see whether she desired to be more like him, and was disappointed as he had been before that it never dawned on her to ask.

Ethan felt disgusted when Eli’s keeper would kill victims that he had drugged to drain blood in a jug to sustain Eli. After all, in his mind, there was no need to kill them, but he rationalized that it was likely easier to get by with the attack if there was no witness. Brit blinked slowly as she watched the scenes that grew gory at times. Ethan noticed that her mind neither condemned nor justified the actions. Rather, she seemed to simply take in the story.

Brit seemed confused about the cats that demonstrated aversions to kindred. Ethan again told her of certain myths. She felt the myth was not true because Ethan had joined her in playing with a litter of kittens when they were in France. At that time, he told her many stories of cats and myths surrounding them. Brit had wanted a kitten, but she knew it would not survive in the city.

Brit’s thoughts surrounded Eli and Oskar, but Ethan found the story of Håkan unsettling. Håkan was the old man who had cared for Eli. At one point in the movie, he asked her not to see Oskar that night. Brit had no understanding of the request, but Ethan saw jealousy. He knew without a shadow of doubt that Håkan had been with Eli for a long time – perhaps since he was a boy of Oskar’s age. Now he was old and the two simply co-existed. Håkan provided and Eli endured.

Brit did not focus on the comment, but Ethan’s thoughts were not far from it. At that point on, he was sure that Håkan had one time been like Oskar. He had seen his kind use someone’s life for themselves only to cast them aside when they found someone new or grew weary of the one who had served them without a second thought. Brit was warm against him. He frowned seeing how others of his kind would view her.

In the movie, Håkan disfigured himself so he could not be identified. In the hospital, he offers Eli his neck and she drains him letting his body fall from the window. At no time in the movie, did it show Eli giving another thought to him. It was as if Håkan never existed as her focus was now on Oskar. Brit simply watched the movie focused on each moment as it arrived unaware of the discomfort that Ethan felt of the sad reminder of what he had seen played out through the centuries time and time again by kindred he had known.

The movie had endearing moments. Oskar teaching Eli Morse code so they could tap to each other through the wall. Also, Eli walking to him without being asked in to show him that she would harm herself for him and that she had watched over him when he thought she was gone only to help him in the end. Brit pressed against Ethan beaming at the screen when Oskar and Eli shared their first kiss.

The darkness, Ethan noticed, was lost on Brit. The sadness of Håkan’s likely story. Eli’s response to the question of her age: “I’m twelve. But I have been twelve for a long time.” Added to her story with Oskar, Ethan murmured, “Bittersweet.” At the end of the movie, Ethan smiled as Eli, who was in a crate, tapped out “kiss” to Oskar who was riding on a train and Oskar responded back in kind.

“Ethan?” Brit spoke again, “Does she love him or does she need him?” Ethan frowned. Brit’s thoughts had started to process the movie. Most movies were so simple to explain. This one was different and obviously close to home. He pulled her over him and kissed her softly. She giggled at the kiss but continued to wait for a response.

Normally he would ask what she thought, but he could see that she had no response. She was trying to make sense of it herself. “I’m unsure, Brit,” he said softly. Her eyes widened. She had never known him to not have a response. He smiled. “I love you,” he said. “And I need you.” She returned his smile giving him a loving squeeze.

Walking home, he was thoughtful as she was. Brit processed, but Ethan’s thoughts also focused on the movie and he continued to feel slightly disturbed. She took two steps to each one of his as they walked. “Brit,” he said softly, “I will always love and need you.”

Smiling, she said, “I know, Ethan.” He nodded returning her smile and they continued to walk.

“You will not grow old like Håkan did or Oskar will.” She paused looking up at him as they walked. Seeing his thoughts were closed to her, she frowned slightly. His hand tightened on hers and he shook his head. Seeing her curios expression, he shook his head again. “Just....” Smiling, he picked her up suddenly and swung her around. She screamed gleefully as he swung her again.

After three swings, he tossed her slightly up in the air and she giggled happily. Turning her quickly, he grabbed her holding her to him like one would a child, and he walked them both back to their resting place. His cheek nuzzled her hair as they walked. Neither noticed the odd glances from those they passed as he moved through the streets. Once back in their resting place, he kissed her as he tapped his fingers on her body. -- .. -. .

Tomorrow, perhaps he would teach her Morse code.