Symbiosis

The explosion from within the city interrupted Brit and Ethan’s routine greeting as they woke at the moment of sunset. Brit’s eyes widened as the sound shook the city. Ethan’s eyes flashed red for a moment. Keeping her in a comforting embrace, he said, “It seems there is excitement in the city, princess. Shall we investigate?” They both extracted themselves from the plush rug and covers dressing quickly. Ethan handed her a box of juice and encouraging her to drink quickly. Even though he acted quite calm, he was curious what had happened during the night.

Brit was very thirsty and gulped down the juice box. They both quickly dressed and slipped out into the night. People were running back and forth screaming. Angry gunshots and accusations were heard. Ethan’s eyes flashed crimson again as he pulled Brit closer and walked faster toward where many were running. Fires blazed, and there was a harrowing howl of anguish. Soot and ash were settling like snow as they grew closer to the warehouse. Ethan stopped someone he knew and asked what was happening. It seemed that a pack of lycans had blown up the blood fountain that fed so many vampires through the city.

Outside of the building that housed the smoking fountain remains, a crowd had gathered. Upon closer inspection, an injured lycan laid on the ground surrounded by citizens from all fractions in the city. A vampire kicked the lycan hard as another pressed down on its spine crushing it. A demon was pleading for the life of another lycan whom she called "family." Brit paled visibly as the sounds of bones breaking mingled with the angry voices and shrieking from the injured lycan. Taunts that the lycan’s pups had already died were shouted along with clamoring to crucify the remaining, injured lycan.

Seeing Brit’s reaction, Ethan took Brit further down the street slipping into the building. After gesturing for Brit to stay back, he inspected the fountain. “Indeed destroyed. There will be a lot of hungry vampires.” Turning to her, he cautioned, “Make sure you do not hide your bite marks, Brit. And if anyone approaches you, let them know that you are exclusive to me.” His voice lowers as he watches one come and then leave. Turning back to her, Ethan said, “Should they dare touch you, they will be brought before the sun.”

“No one cares about sunshine when they wish to bite, Ethan,” she said with concern in her voice.

Ethan cocked a brow at her response. “Even beasts know when the other beast will kill them, Brit. And self-preservation usually is enough to keep them from acting. Instincts will always kick in.” Ethan watched as another kindred came to the room hoping to grasp a few lingering drops. Staying between Brit and the other, he said to the kindred, “In case you have not noticed, the blood fountain has been destroyed.” Taking Brit’s hand, Ethan started to walk out of the building. He instructed to her in a low voice, “This is why you must make sure they know it will mean their death. There are plenty of others walking around that will make for better targets, baby.”

They walked through the city keeping to the shadows. He escorted her down back alleys and across less populated streets where fewer dangers might be encountered. Picking up food at the diner, they returned to their resting spot. “Maybe we should return to the Mainland,” she offered. “Just until the city calms.”

With a shake of his head, Ethan told her, “This will not be over for some time, I fear.” His fingers trailed through her hair as he thought of the situation at hand, and how it could impact him and his mortal wife. He could also see that Brit was worried for him and for others like him. He insisted she ate while he rubbed her back to relax her. “Do not worry, princess. I will keep you close to me.”

Brit stretched beneath his fingers on the rug. Turning to her side, she looked up at him. Never had she thought of herself as a food source, but she knew he would need blood. “You can drink from me when you need so, Ethan. I do not wish you to ever suffer or feel hungry.”

Rolling her onto her back, he leaned kissing her. “I know, baby. And I do appreciate that.” Running his fingers over her bite marks, he said, “You have made the search for blood so much easier.” Gathering her to him, he kissed her deeply after opening his own lip on his fangs. His vitae filled her mouth and she could feel the strength of it hitting her system. He continued to kiss her until his lips had healed. Settling her back against him, he simply held her. After a while, he softly said, “I never want to have anyone else make me feel less hungry.” Then he drank from her heavily knowing that the vitae he had just given her would have her healthy by morning.

Transitions

((Taken from assorted RP's))

It was Sunday, and Brit was watching Ethan conduct his business again with the men on the small skiff. Brit sighed softly. The late meetings were more frequent and she could not hear what was being said. Items were exchanged for wide, sealed envelopes. Brit’s awareness was growing, and her questions were becoming more pointed; and therefore, Ethan sent Brit to wait for him at the library. Brit was greeted by Joah and Poncho as she entered, and sat pristinely smoothing out her new dress. Joah assisted someone with nightmares as Poncho looked over the report in his hands. “You’ve been gone for a while….honeymoon?” he asked Brit.

Brit filled both in on her comings and goings. A soft blush tinged her cheeks as she spoke. One left and another joined. Lorne was mentioned, and Brit asked, “Where is Lorne.”

Joah looked to where Poncho had been sitting, but he had gone too. She told Brit, “He left the library. He went to the Shadows.” Brit asked about Larissa and whether she was upset over Lorne’s leaving, and whether Lorne checked on Larissa and their baby. Joah walked over to Brit and placed a hand on Brit’s knee comfortingly. She then told Brit that Larissa died giving birth to her baby and that Nareth had taken the baby from the city.

Other explanations followed, but Brit heard little. She could only remember Larissa’s prettiness and gentle friendship. Tears fell down Brit’s cheeks. One fell and she remembered Larissa telling her how much love she had for Lorne. Another tear splattered and Brit remembered dancing with Larissa in the library, warehouse, and dance studio. More tears fell. The talks in the library and diner. The time Larissa’s eyes went black and the broken glass that swirled around her. Memories passed with the falling of each tear. Joah explained that Larissa was an angel now. Full of sparkle and light, but Brit had not seen her. So many had gone and the tears continued to fall. Joah hugged Brit as she cried and wiped tears with her handkerchief until Ethan came to get her.

Brit felt a strong sadness for a few days. Mirah had told her, “I wish I had an answer as to who goes and gets to stay with us, sweetie, but I don’t. And it kills me that I don’t.” Brit said little about it for a few days. Unexpectedly, Ethan took her from the city once again. This time, they did not meet men with the skiff or with Ethan’s tailor. He took her to a tall tower that overlooked a city on the mainland. Ethan sat on the railing and watched his wife who seemed terribly silent. With a slight frown, he pulled Brit a little closer and touched her neck gently before taking her hand to bring her closer still. With a caress of her hair, he wrapped his arms about her bringing her to him for a tender kiss.

Brit returned a warm hug and paused to take in the view. Another kiss lingered before she pulled away just a hint. Her eyes were sad and she whispered, “Larissa is dead.” He asked her what happened as he anxiously checked her over with soft touches. Brit explained all to Ethan. He held her tightly as he thought over what else he had recently learned regarding the wards that had been removed from the library. After a very long time and some soft quiet words, Brit said, “I was asked if we have been on our honeymoon. Are we?”

Ethan grinned and the look of concern left his face at her question. “Well, you could say we have been on our honeymoon in Toxia, but we came here to extend it a bit.”

“You kiss lots on a honeymoon,” she said before kissing him. Wrapping her arms around him, she said, “And cuddle lots too.” Her lips brushed over his as she whispered, “And get close.” A few more moments passed before she offered, “I read about it in the library.”

Pulling back just a moment, he repeated somewhat stuttering, “Read about it?” He had asked others to keep such things from her and thought of ways he could inflict pain on them for not doing so. She seemed still somewhat reserved and teary wetness lingered on her eyes from where she told him of Larissa. He kissed her again sensing each kiss distracted her from sadness.

Quiet kisses and time passed. Her fingers ran through his hair as she continued to kiss him with a growing boldness. The sound of her dress rustled slightly and she said softly, “I want to make you hungry….and…then….remove your hungers.”

After a brief blink of surprise, Ethan looked at her quite entertained and lovingly ran his fingertips down her neckline to where her dress starts. “Make me hungry?” His finger traced her face as he continued, “I am always hungry for you in one way or the other. It is just a matter of timing for my kind. And how much you want to fight the hunger.” With a grin, he said, “Of course, there are all kinds of hungers. And some I only ever feel for you.” The next kiss was deep and more sensual. He took her back to their temporary resting spot in the city they were visiting. Brit looked about just for a moment before helping him off with his tie as he shrugged off his coat.

Fishing for Dreams

Flopping on the back of the ripped sofa, Binx looked at Klaws who was sleeping. “Borrred,” she caterwauled. He didn’t move even. Binx swiped at him lazily and upped the octave, “Borrrred.” Klaw’s whiskers did not even twitch. “BOOOORRRRED,” she bellowed.

One eye opened as Klaws looked up at her, “So what? You are always bored and hungry.” He thought for a bit. “And I’m always sleepy, but I am also guessing you won’t let me sleep much, now will ya?” His speaking caused her to perk happily. Batting her eyes, she seemed bright-eyed without any evidence of exhaustion. With a slight motion in her direction, he said, “Come here and rub my tummy. It itches.” He wriggled a bit in place and closed both eyes again, “It will give you something to keep yourself busy.” Obviously, he was too lazy to use his own paws.

Binx slipped down and scratched his belly. Klaws purred loudly as his wish was granted, and occasionally, he reached up to give her tummy a soft pat. While scratching, she said, “Dancing?” A small pause, then she said, “Hunting?” She felt annoyed when there was not even a slight twitch of interest from him. Falling silent, she scratched a bit more with a hint of claws. Knowing that silence means nothing good, both of his eyes opened and he examined the situation before jumping up and pouncing her with a mighty “RAWR.”

Pouncing him back playfully, she repeated, “Dancing? Hunting? Play?” While waiting him to answer, she climbed him like a jungle gym.

Dropping to the floor, he rolled about with her and pawed at her tail. “Yes.” Sitting up, he mauled her slightly before licking his paw while looking her over. “Let’s go dance hunting…and you can scratch my tummy some more.” He said it like it was a huge gift.

She pulled to her feet and hopped over his tail like it was a jump rope. “Dance, dance, dance! Wherrrrre?” Klaws shrugged and told her that he did not wish to go to a fancy place – not that either had the clothing for somewhere fancy anyway. Then, without telling her where they were going, he dashed off telling her to race him. Both practically ran over those standing on the first floor of the abandoned fish market as they dashed down the street.

Klaws was momentarily concerned when he seemed to lose her. Retracing his steps, he saw her on the breakwater with a fishing pole. Walking to Binx, he asked, “Have you ever successfully used that thing?” She explained that you simply bagged fish and let them bake in the sun for a few days. With a shake of his head, he tapped the pole. “That thing,” he said indicating the fishing device.

Looking at the fishing pole, Binx mewed, “How hard can it be? You throw string in the water and fish get tangled in it.”

Klaws repeated, “So have you caught anything with it before…and where on Earth did you find it?” He examined the hook to see whether anything was dangling from it, but only found rust.

“I found it on the boat by the fish market,” Binx replied. “And I saw pictures one time long ago…and people use to fish off of the dock back home.” She also looked at the rusty hook. “So, the fish…they get tangled in the string and then, when you pull, you HOOK them!” She smiled fully understanding as she gestured out the explanation.

“Hmm,” said Klaws. “Okay, let’s start with the basics. Number one: You need to LURE the fishy to the hook somehow. And I don’t think they like rust too much, but usually you use bread. Some idiots will use yummy shrimps.” He raised his hands in complete confusion why anyone would waste shrimps. “The other thing is: Have you ever seen fish here? No? They are allllllll deeeeaaaaaadddd!”

Binx whipped the pole around some listening. “You don’t want to eat live ones so dead is good. Especially after they have set in the sun for a few days wrapped in plastic. YUM. We like dead fishies. We can even dry the scales and eat them like potato chips.”

Klaws face-palmed for a moment and patted her rump. “Okay…just curious how the fish will get on the hook if they are dead. Don’t mind me. I will just watch how you do it and pat your rump.” Letting his claws show barely, he raked them over her skin lightly.

Peering in the water, Binx pouted. “Well, if they don’t have fish in the water, then where are they? The diner has square fish. And they were likely caught with bread cause they have bread all over them!” She could feel her plans for fish slipping away and wondered how he learned about fishing.

“Don’t worry, Binx. I will get you fishies.” He scratched her tummy and then her back down to where her tail met her bottom. “Just not out of the water,” Klaws said. “Just like catnip, we will get them with ‘special services.’ All we need to do is find a new dealer, I believe.” Both went silent as they last time they saw the catnip dealer, he was running down the street pretty fast.

Binx furrowed her brow thinking about having no cred or currency. She knew few were worth stealing from. With a shudder she mouthed ‘jobs’, which caused Klaws to blink and paw away the thought. “Jobs are for humans…and dumb people. I have my kitty right here and I don’t need anything else! Just some food…and somewhere to sleep.” He scratched his head and then exclaimed, “Catnip!” Nodding repeatedly, he licked her nose chuckling.

Binx forgot the fishing pole and stretched rubbing against him. “Catnip.” With a soft sigh, she said, “Nothing grows here either.” She looked in the direction of the ferry. “Just me, you, food, sleep, and dancing. And catnip.”

Klaws rubbed his chin over her head, which he only did when he was feeling very protective of her. “We will own this town before the summer is over.” Thinking a bit, he added, “And then…maybe we will have our own torn couch to sleep on!” He nodded once move and kissed her forehead licking her fur clean at the same time.

Binx looked up at him with wide-eyes daring to hope! “Our OWN torn-up couch???” She bit her lower lip and murred against him while he nuzzled. Petting him softly, she cuddled up forgetting all about fishies for a while and focused on the new dream.

Binx and Klaws

((Taken from RP))

Exactly how they came to the city would forever be a point of contention. Each blamed the other and the memory was never the same, but one thing was agreed upon: They had stowed away on the ferry from the mainland, and neither had the money to return. While not use to these streets, the two were use to surviving and so it took little time to find the old fish market. Others like them had started to furnish the abandoned building with a few old, torn sofas, a table, and a make-shift kitty tree. They could smell the scent of others and saw a few come and go, but those never lingered. This was fine as well since both had relied on each other since they were kittens in the foundling kennel.

He sprawled on the sofa while sleeping and had woken Binx from her own slumber by knocking her off her perch on the sofa's back. She landed on her feet and hissed as she swiped at his tail. She was not an early riser by choice and was grumpy. Binx heard someone coming up the steps. “Are you the catnip dealer,” she asked. “If so, you are late,” she continued. The newcomer was not. Binx asked whether he had food or toys. He had neither, which caused her to wonder what good he was. She introduced herself before going back to the lazy sack of fur, who was named Klaws, and pounced him with an exclamation, “Feed me!”

Klaws growled in protest curling up tighter than before. His body language indicated that it was much before “rise and shine” time. With a wriggle of his shoulders, his whiskers relaxed with a deep sigh as he tired to return to his slumber. Binx sat on the back of the sofa and braced herself. She used her feet to slowly press against Klaws’ back to move him off the sofa. “Feed…..me,” she demanded.

Klaws almost fell on his face as he tumbled off the sofa. He landed on his paws and stretched all of his muscles before glaring up at her. “What time is it?” She shrugged telling him it was clearly time to feed her. He stiffened his whiskers and pawed sleepily at her tail. Practically pouting, he grumbled, “You are always hungry.”

Binx lazily swiped at the air above him. Her eyes narrowed seeing he was clearly intending to return to his sleep. “Of course, I am always hungry,” she said. “I’m expecting kittens.” She figured that would wake him up.

Springing to his feet, Klaws beamed, “What? When? Where? How? I thought?” The stranger returned with fresh tuna. He glanced at the stranger and then beamed some more as he turned his full attention to Binx and was wide awake. Klaws asked, “How do you know?”

Binx flicked her tail, “I don’t. I am just hungry. And now that you are up, we can find food.”

Klaws blinked a few times before narrowing his eyes with a growl that would have intimidated most others. He hissed, “You don’t joke around about those things!” He pawed at her tail and yanked it. “Bad kitty!”

Binx yowled as her tail was pulled and turned fast clutching it protectively. Remembering that she wanted to get food, she batted her eyes and perked her whiskers prettily. She suggested, “Fooood? Pancakes? Sharing? Pancakes with strawberries and ice cream.”

The stranger offered fresh tuna. Binx stared at it in bewilderment. Where was the pink mush packed in yummy aromatic oil? She nibbled a piece and thought that it might not be bad if allowed to bake in the sun for a few days. Klaws said to her, “There. Now you should be happy. Can I go back to sleep?”

Binx shook her head and followed Klaws with the second bite of the fresh tuna. “No…here! Sharrrre. Then pancakes.” Klaws ignored the tuna and settled back on his pillow admiring its attributes. Binx chomped the second bite of tuna. Licking her paws, she shrugged, “I guess I will go to the diner all by myself. Alone. And order pancakes by myself. If I make it safely, I’ll have pancakes and bring you back some. Since you are too tired to go with me to protect me.” Her whiskers drooped and she sniffled bravely. She then asked the stranger if he was going in the direction of the diner, but he was clearly not getting involved.

Opening one eye, Klaws grumbled slightly, “You would not be trying to get my sympathy, would you?” He caressed the pillow with one hand and placed the other on the ground as if trying to stand up, but was unsure what to do.

Sounding overly sincere, Binx replied, “Oh goodness no. I know that you will feel secure knowing you did all you could do should I perish getting you pancakes.”

Klaws smirked and slowly got up. “Alright, alright.” After rubbing his eyes until he was awake, he looked at her. “I have like so spoiled you since you were just a little kitty with closed eyes. Let’s go to the diner.” Pawing at her rump and patting it, he motioned to the door, “Now, be a good kitty.”

They walked through the quiet streets to the diner where a mouse-like waitress took their order. Two sets of pancakes with strawberries, ice cream, maple syrup, and whipped cream. Binx noticed the waitress scurried as she ran to fetch the food and reached over to the coffee machine to get the pitcher of cream. She poured two glasses to the brim of the heavy sludge-like cream and gave one to Klaws. The waitress noticed the empty creamer and glared as she sat plates before each of them. Binx perked happily as she mashed the strawberries and ice cream into the pancake after licking most of the whipped cream off. She almost emptied the maple syrup bottle and stirred the syrup into the gooey, pancake-crumbled concoction.

Klaws took big bites of his pancake and balanced the strawberries and ice cream on each piece. He fed her as well between bites and licked the whipped cream from her lips. “This isn’t bad actually,” he exclaimed. He ate hastily and took the bites she offered him in return. He watched her as she fed him another bite. With a drink of the cream, he said, “You are not really expecting kittens, right?”
She nodded, “Right. I teasssssssed you to wake you up.” She bounced slightly eating more of her sweet pancake almost as quickly as he did. Seeing his ears flatten, she gave him an extra big bite as a consolation prize and attempted a subject change. “This is a way good idea. I thought we were too broke to buy pancakes!”

Klaws looked momentarily uncomfortable when she mentioned the broke issue. He gave her a very scolding look when the waitress looked away. Shushing her with a whisper and finger to his lips, he continued to devour the pancakes even faster than before her comment. Taking his lead, she also picked up the pace and ate happily while sharing bites until it was all gone. Finishing her cream, she noticed the creamer was now out of reach. The creamers to go were still there and she dumped the sealed creamer shots into her pack.

Gunfire was outside of the diner and someone staggered through the door collapsing onto the floor. “OH NO,” yelled Klaws. “We need to help him! Call 911! Call the fire department! Get help quick!” The waitress quirked slightly and focused on the man on the ground while Binx and Klaws dashed through the door and down the street.

Blood

Brit thought often about the blood. It’s bright crimson color that contrasted dramatically when touching skin. There was a sublime pleasure that she had come to desire found only within Ethan’s feedings. Each varied in the intensity of the bite. The sounds that she could hear when his fangs punctured her skin and sank into an artery or vein caused her heart to quicken or her body to relax. She could hear her blood leaving her body as he drank from her. Sometimes it sounded like a geyser and other times a soft drip. At times, the occasional dizziness came to her quickly whereas other times she would grow dizzy when she stood or moved too fast.

Then there was the coldness that she had come to expect. Sometimes, like the dizziness, the coldness would almost overwhelm her as he drank and, during other times, it would overtake her slowly and stay with her for hours. She liked the way his cool tongue would warm while they kissed, but when she thought of him, she never thought of the coldness. It never occurred to her that his warmth when resting was absorbed from her body heat. When awake, he used vitae to warm himself when he knew she was cold. The warmth of a loving heart replaced the physical warmth that one would have with another who was mortal.

She thought of his blood that was smeared on her lips in the guise of kisses. The metallic taste that registered along with a surge of awareness and strength caused her to feel stronger and think more clearly. When Grr asked her to push him in the library, he found himself lying on the floor stunned. Brit giggled at his startled expression and his laughter afterwards, but she knew then that she was stronger. It was not just imagined. Ethan’s blood caused her to be better both physically and mentally. She was faster, could see better and, unbeknownst to her, she healed faster which allowed him to feed on her more often.

Lately, blood had seemed to be a part of their daily lives. The reason was not because they lived where the streets ran red with blood regularly. There were many reasons: His needs based on his nature, and hers based on her health and desires. The new changes within their relationship yielded a need to share of one another. Brit was not surprised to see blood coating her hand in the evening after she woke. Ethan had dressed and already left their resting place. She opened her coloring book and drew an apple in blood on page 4 and thought of the night before while watching it dry.

A Canoodle Trap

((Taken from Rp)

Upon walking into the library, Brit was greeted by Aleksei who asked, “How are things? Ethan still wonderful and all that?” Brit beamed with a warm glance to her wedding ring, and told her that Ethan was quite well albeit a bit unhappy with his tailor over her new dress showing far too much décolleté’. Aleksei frowned, “Decol…Décolleté? Aleksei is not sure what this is.” Brit ran her fingers down her chest between her breasts illustrating the word. Following the gesture, Aleksei gave Brit a wide smile, “Ah, Aleksei understands now. Perhaps it is understandable why Ethan is upset, and yet it is not unusual for even married women to show certain amounts of well..skin.” Aleksei understood Brit’s explanation of Ethan being old fashioned about such matters. Adjusting her hat, Aleksei cleared her throat and stated, “But…Aleksei also does not wish to show skin. It is her mission to be a good soldier, not a distraction, yah? Unless certain situations call for distraction…but even then, Aleksei brings change for the clothing.”

Brit processed for but a moment before asking Aleksei to show her the clothing. Looking a bit disconcerted, Aleksei gave an awkward smile. “Well, yah, Aleksei might have a few pieces available for to show. They are meant for to make male targets more…how you say…vulnerable…to a stealthy attack.” It took Brit a moment before her eyes widened with understanding and she gasped, “Cause they think you want to canoodle with them?”

Aleksei raised a brow and wrinkled her nose saying, “Canned noodles? WHY would Aleksei buy expensive, revealing clothes for to give canned noodle, comrade?” Giggling, Brit explained, “No, no. CA-noodle. Like snuggles an kisses…and things like that.” Brit then added, “Ethan likes canoodling.”

Looking up to the ceiling in concentration as if storing the word in her mental records, Aleksei nods. “Ca-noodle. Yah, this is what Aleksei makes does the wearing of the clothes for, to make the male think there will be this ca-noodling.” Crossing her arms, Aleksei smiled wide and continued, “But Aleksei never ca-noodles. She has no need for the silly affections that were weakness in mortal life.” Brit was quite sure that she would not want to live forever without canoodling and she wanted to see the clothes that were meant for canoodling! After a few minutes, Aleksei agreed to show Brit what clothing she had to show. Together, they went to the second floor of the library. As they arrived, Aleksei said, “Your father kills little Aleksei for this. But, if it works for Aleksei, it works for Bridgette…and who knows when the noodle clothes come in the handy, yah?” Brit nodded slowly and followed wide-eyed. After all, Brit thought, “Ethan might like canoodle clothing.”

Aleksei went to change. Brit heard, “One more second, comrade. Aleksei seems to have gained a few pounds.” Brit asked over the bookcase, “How did you learn what makes others want canoodling?” Aleksei peeked around the corner looking confused why such a question would be asked, “Aleksei was trained, of course.” Brit asked, “You were trained to canoodle?” Shaking her head, Aleksei stepped out from behind the bookshelf looking uncomfortable, “No, they train Aleksei to make men think she will be ca-noodling with them.”

Brit wondered if Aleksei meant they showed her how to pretend, but she blinked seeing her friend dressed so very different. Aleksei was wearing a tight, skimpy uniform-style outfit. Brit exclaimed, “Wow…Aleksei….you are so way beautiful! Clothes like that make people want to canoodle?” Aleksei gave an awkward salute and stood as still as stone while Brit looked her over. Aleksei explained, "Aleksei…um…she still likes to wear some sort of uniform, even when seducing. You see?” Aleksei explained that clothing to seduce should compliment one’s own personal features and make their shape very well known. Brit understood, but it seemed counter-intuitive to what Ethan felt regarding his tailor. Processing more, Brit realized the rules change for when one was alone with her beloved.

It did not take long for a suggestion to go to the theatre to the old costume room. There Aleksei stood guard while Brit looked through the rack. She ignored the dress made solely of straps and also the uniform costume much like Aleksei wore. The conversation pondered something flowy or something tight. Brit mused over what she knew Ethan seemed to like. Dresses seemed to be preferred, and Brit settled on something blue made of velvet and lace. A skirt of sorts. Familiar fabric with a different design. After ensuring that the area was secure, Aleksei relaxed and inspected Brit’s find. “Well,” Aleksei said, “It is definitely ca-noodle clothes, but a bit dusty, yah?” They decided that Brit would try it on after she soaked the dust out.

Aleksei continued with her lesson, “Aleksei compliments the man….makes notice of…everything attractive about him. And even lies, giving credit to certain features that aren’t attractive. This attention makes them more open for such things.” Brit told Aleksei that lying to Ethan would make him unhappy. After a second thought of Ethan’s prettiness, Brit knew she would have no reason to lie. Seeing the shoes Brit selected, Aleksei chuckled, “Well, little Aleksei thinks you are getting the idea, comrade Bridgette. You may have more ca-noodling ahead of you than you can handle, yah?”

Brit listened to what Aleksei had to say. She clarified, “So you just say, ‘your hair is pretty.’ Or ‘your eyes are way nice.’ Or ‘I like your bites’?” Aleksei nodded, “Yah…and maybe say how you wish to interact with each pretty part. Like…your hair is so soft and silky, we wishes to run fingers through it. Or, lips are so red and delicious-looking, we wishes for to kiss them til we can kiss no more. This makes the sense?” Brit blinked as she processes and her eyes widened as she exclaimed, “OOOH, that is a nice thing to say!” Brit ensured that she made note of it. Aleksei counted off on her fingers, “Appreciation, attention, action. The three A’s of Assassina…er…ca-noodling.” Brit bounced thinking she understood it perfectly while Aleksei watched with amusement at Bridgette’s innocent joy at the strange translation of her own dark and deadly training. Aleksei said, “This…is good, comrade. You learn faster than even little Aleksei. Sure you’re not a soldier in there somewhere?” Aleksei laughed as Brit crossed her heart and promised that there was not.

Aleksei shuttled Brit back to the library teasing that she may have created a canoodle monster. Brit set to cleaning the outfit as Aleksei watched. After a while, Lorne came into the library. Aleksei marched over to Lorne and saluted him as she exchanged some reports. Lorne noticed Brit pulling a silk stocking out of water and placing it on the fireplace to dry. Another garment soon joined causing the fireplace to resemble a Hanoi hootchie camp. Crossing his arms, Lorne asked, “Brit, what are you doing?” Brit replied, “Washing my canoodling trap.” Lorne raised an eyebrow and Brit started to explain. Aleksei saw her work with Brit was completed for the evening and made her way to the door. Quickly.

Western Traditions

After the wedding, Ethan and Brit invited others to the Haven to share in a drink and perhaps dance. Changes in the environment of the city caused many to seek shelter shortly after they arrived and prompted the couple to retire to their resting place. Ethan brushed off his mantle as they arrived. He finally had time to thoroughly admire her prettiness in her wedding finery. Her fingers touched his new pendant, which mirrored the one she usually wore, just before kissing him softly. He ran his hand over the exposed skin along her neck and made his way to her locket. Opening it, he looked upon the pictures before beaming at her. “Now, the dress is beautiful, but you cannot stay in it forever,” he said as he tugged one of her gloves moving it slowly down to her elbow tracing the skin beneath prior to removing it.

Ethan removed her other glove and told her that everything was perfect about her. Her reflection on the promises exchanged at the church gave way to noticing how his fingers left a trail of gooseflesh on her skin. Walking behind her, he unbuttoned her gown noting that she moved her hair aside. The gown slid off her body along with the layers of petticoats and ribbon-covered hoop, and he placed all neatly aside. She helped remove his bowtie. The rustle of fabric mixed with kisses was the only sound heard. Once his jacket and shirt were gone, Ethan laid Brit on the plush white fur rug in their resting spot and smoothed her Victorian undergown arranging it pleasingly before slowly resuming his caresses of her body between angel-kisses.

The vision of her lying on the rug reminded him of her wedding vow to be buxom and bonny. The latter, he felt, she personified without trying. ‘Buxom’ caused him to smile. With Brit’s petite frame, he could not visualize her being too ample of figure, but the archaic definition of ‘lively, vivacious, and gay’ fit her as did the obsolete definition of ‘obedient, yielding and pliant.’ He crumpled her under gown as he kissed her softly and enjoyed that each kiss was returned. Her senses were enhanced from the shared drink of their mingled blood during the ceremony. Brit’s hand loosened his hair and she enjoyed the way it framed his face. Ethan’s fingers caressed her hair splayed on the ground and pondered what he had learned in his religious studies regarding marriage.

Technically speaking, consummation in the marriage referred to its actual beginning, with an official ceremony of the wedding, witnesses to the event, and a public announcement of the act. In some Western traditions, a marriage was not considered a binding contract until and unless it had been consummated. Within the Catholic Church, a marriage that had not yet been consummated, regardless of the reason could be dissolved by a Pope or could be grounds for annulment. Of course, this involved laws between mortals. Ethan was unsure what exactly cemented the deal when one was such as him.

He refocused on his bride laying half beneath him and bit down on his lower lip creating small puncture wounds on it. Two drops of blood barely pooled and he drug his lip over hers brushing against them. Brit touched his hair and whispered a soft offer, “Bite my lips a little. So you can taste my blood too.” Ethan hinted a smile, and drug the point of his pendant still hanging around his neck to her blood-painted lisps piercing them slightly. She gasped blinking as sudden tears sprung up from the unexpected pain. While the piercing of her lip was not entirely unpleasant, she did not expect the sharpness. As quickly as the pain came, it went. The only lingering reminder of any pain was the star-shaped that her wet lashes had from soaking up the momentary tears.

Seeing the tears, Ethan said softly, “Aww. Tears?” His voice whispered comfortingly, “No, no.” He kissed each eye before smearing her blood to mix with his, and then he kissed her deeply. With each light taste of his blood, Brit's mind became more clear, and it made her feel closer to him.