Your browser lacks required capabilities. Please upgrade it or switch to another to continue.
Loading…
,,>[[Chalk Lines->ChalkStart]]<br><div class="tooltip"> Content Guide<span class="tooltiptext">Masturbation, fingering, optional oral sex</span></div>This is //stupid.//
So, so, //so// damn stupid.
I hike up my long dress, stomping along the cold dirt path. She's just a few paces ahead, her long tail swishing behind her.
Why didn't I wear boots? <<linkreplace "She navigates the trail easily, stepping lightly over rocks." t8n>>She navigates the trail easily, crushing rocks beneath her large paws.
[[I follow the werewolf to my new home.->werewolffollow]]
<</linkreplace>>
<<set $vampireAntag to 0>>She clears her throat especially loud, obviously to get my attention.
"You know, I think it'll be fun."
"Uh huh."
She goes quiet, supposedly content with my response. But her tail betrays her, twitching. I mentally count how long it'll take her to give in and talk more.
At "two", she speaks again. "You know why they're moving you all the way out here, right?"
I sigh. Might as well tell the truth.
<span class="choice">
[["Yes."->werewolfRoomate]]
[["No."->reasonForMove]]</span>
A war of land and politics.
The werefolk and the vampires have shared territory for millenia, but with the ever-increasing human population finding ways to thrive in the night, safety and space are constantly changing and being compromised.
As of late, there have been numerous vampires murdered by hunters. We challenged the werewolves for more land. We needed areas we could freely hunt, like the wilderness.
They didn't agree. Instead, they suggested a "compromise", the details of which remained under warps.
<<back "Until today.">>Creatures of the night. Powered by blood and moonlight, hated by the sun itself.
Millenia of wars with werewolves make both of us on edge around each other. Their kind is far too feral. Far too wild and unruly, unable to obey laws or act for the greater good.
...We //might// have a reputation for being conniving, sinister, lying, charismatic, powerful, sexy-in-a-goth-way creatures.
I suppose the only difference is where the knife lands. Werewolves will stab you in the face, <<back "but vampires prefer the back.">><span class="flavor">I do. I may not be the most politically inclined, but this particular [[war->The war]] hit a sore spot. I followed the news by the hour. I wasn't going to be taken by surprise.
But I'm still not happy about it.
"Yeah, I know. Split the population of supernatural creatures and distribute evenly." I scoffed. "I get it, I do. Of course hunters would notice when an entire 3 block area is entirely noctural. But..."
"You hate something about it here." The werewolf glances back. The moon softly illuminates her face, half-human and half-beast. "Either me or the smell, huh?"
I want to be snarky. I'd say it's the [[vampire->vampires]] in me, predisposed to hating her kind, but really, I just hate personal questions. But I shut it down and avert my gaze.</span>
"Doesn't matter. I'm here. [[Whether I like it or not.->likeitornot]]"<span class="flavor">"You know how this whole [[war->The war]] thing started when that priest guy killed like 20 of you huddled up in an some shitty apartment?"</span>
Jesus Christ.
"Well, they //think// if we stop splitting up all us supernaturals, they'll be able to avoid more deaths. Less vampires in one small spot, less massacres." She stretches. "So, they're trying out something new. Dividing us up by proportion. A few vampires here, a couple werewolves there... It looks a lot less fishy when an entire suburb isn't nocturnal."
"So...?"
"Soooo... You're here now. One werewolf and one vampire, in the wilderness. As a bit of a test run." She takes a sigh. "[[Whether we like it or not.->likeitornot]]"The rest of the walk is silent.
The cottage comes into view. It's a hobbled little thing, crooked in every way, stacking up and up into a gnarled spiral.
With a degree of comfort I notice the only visible windows are blacked out completely. Like something out of an old horror book, it looks dead and abandoned.
[[Perfect.]]"See? Told you it wasn't so bad."
I jump out of my skin, the werewolf surprisingly close to me. "FUCK. What the hell!?"
She laughs boistrously, but earnestly clasps her hands over her mouth to stop herself right after. "Sorry, sorry! Ahaha... Didn't mean to scare you...?"
"Esmeralda Van Count."
She blinks at me.
"Seriously?"
"... Esme is fine."
"Great. [[I'm Winona.]] Let me show you inside."Winona.
She opens the door by leaning forward. It swings easily from the force of her butt, and her tail sways in satisfaction. She must do that a lot.
"Welcome to your new home."
She stands to the side as I walk in. <<linkreplace "She flicks on the lights." t8n>>
Fairy lights line the walls, drape from the ceiling, and wind around supporting pillars. The room glows with yellow and white. Bookcases line the back corner, where a few bean bags are placed in a random fashion. Stairs hug the right wall, spiraling up to the open second floor, where Winona presumably sleeps.
A table is pushed to the left. There are two bar stools to accompany it, but nothing in the way of a kitchen besides a mini fridge and pantry. [[Obviously.]]
<</linkreplace>>"So, house rules."
I surpress a groan. It's her house, I guess. Even if I'm forced to live here.
<span class="flavor">"No blood on... anything. Do it outside. Don't want to see it and, if you can't tell, I like to live in cleanliness. We're in the woods but we're not, like, fuckin' [[elves]], alright?"
She speaks as she walks, gesturing to things broadly.
"I live up there. I sleep, wash, dress, //everything//-," she pauses for a split second so I know exactly what she's talking about. "-Up on that second floor. As you can see, there's no door except to the bathroom. If you're cool about it, I am."
Oh. [[Okay...]]</span>
"Now, as for [[where you sleep...]]"Elves.
<<back "Yeah. Fuck elves.">>While in full moonlight, her face is completely obscured by coarse fur and bristling whiskers. But the moment she stepped in here, hidden from the effects of the moon's embrace, her face softened. The fur and beast pulled itself back, revealing her humanly form.
Her face is framed by wily, curly, untameable hair that extended to her hips. Her eyebrows are strong and broad, and they frame her dark, almond eyes. She has no makeup, not even a light lip gloss.
She's tall. She towers over my already-short stature easily. Her teeth show when she speaks -- they're sharp, almost to a razor edge. Her ears are pointed, as if ready to morph back into canine at any moment.
Her clothes are loose on her, likely to accomodate her other form. Her tanktop hangs low on her chest, and her jogging shorts play on her hips, like they'll fall off at any moment.
I've tried not to stare. <<back "But she's so, so strikingly beautiful.">> I can't help but feel a bit of relief over her words.
I'm "cool" with it, too.She walks over to library, signaling for me to follow.
"What would a badass witch tower be without... Imaginary drum roll, please." Winona leads me to the corner of the reading nook, a place hidden from view from the front door. There's a cranny there, complete with beautiful pillows, blankets, and an end-table. "A secret room!"
Winona pulls a book from a shelf - so cliché, huh? - and a tile of the floor makes an audible //clunk// as it drops and slides out of view. Fairy lights extend down, revealing a ladder.
"Go on, [[go on.]]"I give her a look, but drop my small backpack of belongings down the hole. I hop down the hole.
"Oh, okay, show off."
She follows by taking the ladder. I take in the surroundings while she makes her way.
It's a... room. That much is clear. There's...
<<linkreplace "a bed" t8n>>an uncomfortable looking and crooked bed<</linkreplace>>,
<<linkreplace "an empty desk" t8n>>a piece of wood on legs (I think it has a drawer?)<</linkreplace>>,
<<linkreplace "a bathroom" t8n>>a bathroom from 1805 tucked behind a curtain<</linkreplace>>,
and a closet.
"What do you think?" She puts her hands on her hips, grinning widely and alternating between gauging my reaction and... [[looking at the room?]]<<linkappend "Oh." t8n>>
<<linkappend "Oh no." t8n>>
[[She built this,]] didn't she?<</linkappend>><</linkappend>>"It's..."
[["Lovely!"->yourchoicesdon'tmatter]]
[["An impressive show of skill!"->yourchoicesdon'tmatter]]
[["Something! ... Maybe I could sleep in that little book cranny instead, though? No offence?"->yourchoicesdon'tmatter]]"It's-"
"Yeah it's the worst."
She heaves a sigh, cutting me off before I could even reply. "I'm sorry I just... I didn't realize how bad it //actually// looks until I saw you looking around." She rubs the back of her head and laughs nervously. "Forget what I said about upstairs, you can take my room. You're the guest, after all."
I stare at her blankly. She gives me another sheepish laugh, her face slowly but surely erupting in an embarrassed blush.
I don't have any words.
So.
[[I blurt out something incredibly stupid.->"Let's share it."]]"Let's share it."
Now she's at a loss for words.
"What?"
"Yeah. Whatever, we can share it, right?" I try to play it off naturally. "Let's just drag this mattress up and uh. You know, not share a bed, but share the shower that isn't from //before// this century."
Wait. I said share the shower. God! I hope she doesn't think I meant-
"Okay." She scratches her cheek.
...
"Okay, then." I respond in kind.
[[And so it began.]]<h1>[[The first week.]]</h1><h1>[[So it began.->Chalk Lines]]</h1><<linkappend "\"Winona!\"" t8n>>
<<linkappend "\"What?\"" t8n>>
<<linkappend"\"WINONA!!!\"" t8n>>
<<linkappend "\"WHAT!?!?\"" t8n>>
"Either you WEAR A HAIRNET IN THE SHOWER or //YOU// CLEAN IT!"<br>...<br><br>That's pretty much how the [[first week]] went.<</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><</linkappend>><span class="flavor">During the day, Winona lives. She comes home around when I wake up, exhausted from a long day of doing [[whatever werewolves do all day.]]
At night, I leave. I return to the city sometimes to catch up with news, socialize, [[go out for drinks.]]</span>
You'd think we wouldn't have an issue living together at all, what with our different life styles. [[But you'd be wrong.]]Actually, to be fair, the other night I //did// ask Winona //what// she does all day.
"Eat, mostly." She answered sleepily. She stripped off her shirt and pants, mooning me entirely without shame as she spoke.
"That's it?"
"Uhh... Depends? I like Mexican food a lot." She slipped into pajamas. "Besides that, I'm living it up in the black market, doing all kinds of odd-ball jobs. Werewolf HRT costs surprisingly more money than the usual mix."
She snuggled up in her bed, turning off the nearby light. <<back "\"I mean. Occassionally I eat some farmer's chickens, but that's just good old fashioned fun, right?\"">>This was a vampire joke.
Haha.
Drinks?
<<back "It's blood, baby!">>"Here."
It's Friday. Close to 3AM, with sunrise due in two and a half hours. I drop a bucket on the floor, loud enough to wake Winona.
She groggily raises her head from her pillow, face obscured by her mountain of hair. "What?"
"Wake //up// and I'll show you."
She plays up her yawn, loudly groaning and smacking her lips. Sloooowwly she rises from bed. I'm not sure if she's trying to annoy me by taking a million years, but <<linkreplace "it's not working." t8n>>it's working. Just a little.<</linkreplace>>
"Okay, I'm up. What?"
"We need boundaries."
[["Why?"->boundaries]]<span class="flavor">"Because-" I spin around, and point angrily down the stairs at the table and chairs, "-you keep DRINKING my ALCOHOL."
"That's it?" She rolls her eyes. "If it's such a big deal, just write your name on it. And why do you even [[drink alcohol anyway,]] mosquito?"
"And I've had to buy 5 shampoo bottles."
"I run out quickly and we //both// know [[you don't buy them.->stolenGoods]]"
"And the most egregious of all- I know you're wearing my socks. Even right now."
"You can't prove that."
I pull off my socks in one quick motion, and turn them inside out. Inside, tufts of hair are clumped together, weaving through the fibers of the poor clothing.</span>
<span class="choice">[["Why?"]]
[["This has to stop."]]</span>It //is// kind of rare for us to drink anything other than blood.
Blood fuels us. It revitalizes us. Food, sleep, even sex all pale in comparison to the feeling of fresh blood.
<<back "But I'll be damned if I give up whiskey.">>Vampires don't deal with money.
It's rare for any of us to get a job, and it's mostly due to our ability to charm humans out of things -- be it money, necessities, <<back "or blood.">>"I'm not joking." I stand firm, holding the sock out. "These are designer. And I've washed them, BY HAND, three times. Do you know what happens to designer socks when they're washed too often?"
"They... get comfier. Well used, and all that."
"No. They get frayed edges and this weird, like, clumpy texture?" I make a gripping claw motion and then rub my fingers together to try and get the point across.
"Oh, shit, that sucks. Is that all designer wear?" She sits up at attention, surprisingly interested.
"Mm, depends. Socks are kind of the worst, but most things stay in great shape if you get a laundromat to handle- WAIT! Don't change the subject!"
God damn it! [[She did it again!]]Winona slumps guiltily. "They're softer than mine."
I feel my eyebrow twitch involuntarily. I wish she would stop being so cute when I'm upset.
"A-anyway." I reach into the bucket, and take out a big piece of white chalk. "I'm drawing boundries. No crossing or else."
"Or //eeeelse?//" She draws out her voice into a low tone.
"Or //else// we reenact the Fifth Moon War."
"Oh, tough. I like it." Winona gives me a smirk, obviously not taking me seriously. I press on anyway.
"I'm serious. Don't mess with me. Or my shampoo, or my liquor, or my designer socks. I want you to think the floor is lava on of my side."
"Fine, fine." She rolls back over, throwing her arms above her head and stretching by arching her back. When she does this, she shows off her body, ignoring her shirt sliding slowly upwards and revealing her midsection. "I guess that's alright, if you're fine ignoring all our sexual tension and not. Touching. Me."
[[... What!?]]WHAT!?
My body freezes.
She's joking with me. She's flirting, but it's harmless, like always.
But something about the way she's staring at me through her hair, a playful smile on her lips, with her stomach exposed...
I turn away.
"I'll survive."
[[I start drawing the lines immediately.]]<h1>[[The second week.]]</h1>The chalk lines cover the entire house, zigging and zagging (with expert division, if I might say) to divide the areas evenly.
So far, it's been... marginally better.
Saturday was the first day. Winona said she had a "job", and left for the weekend.
<span class="flavor">
She returned on [[Tuesday.->week2Tues]]
</span>
On [[Wednesday,->week2Wed]] she... Well, it doesn't matter."I'm hooooome~"
Winona called from the door, swinging it open with a large motion. "Did'ja miss me, government assigned roomie?"
I laughed. I got up from the beanbag, putting my book down to greet her. "Hey, how'd it go?"
"I killed a man. Seven, actually. With //my bare hands.//" She looked at them with a fake look of horror. I've already got her code down: she probably had some boring bodyguard job.
"Cool. I got free cake today, it's in the fridge."
"Oh FUCK can I have some?"
"Of course, I'm not going to eat it."
"You're the best." She ran to the fridge at full speed, threw it open, and dug in immediately. Typical werewolf.
<<back "Typical Winona.">>Too late for me to be awake, and too early for her. 5AM, right before sunrise.
But regardless, for whatever reason, I woke up briefly. Maybe it was the way the birds were chirping louder than usual. Winona woke up, too.
We sat up in our respective beds, not saying anything.
After a time, she pulled the covers off herself and stood. In the near pitch darkness of the room, I saw her step lightly towards me.
She stopped abruptly. Right on the line.
"Esme?"
"Mm."
She stayed quiet.
So I raised myself off of my mattress and met her at the line.
She slowly leaned forward, her face obviously past the border. She whispered quietly. [["I really like having you here."]]I hear the door opening, and press my eyes closed. I'm awake earlier than usual - the sun is probably still up.
There's the distinct //fwump// of Winona kicking her boots off her feet and into the supporting pillar in the center of the cottage.
My heart is racing.
She steps heavily up the stairs, nearly stomping. I've asked her to be quieter, but some part of her really likes to announce her entrances.
Then again, she may be doing it as a courtesy. [[Just in case.]]It was far too quiet, too calm for me to be flustered. So I smiled and nodded. "Yeah. This isn't bad."
"Are you going to move back out? After all this."
"I haven't really thought about it."
It was the truth. She stood thoughtfully.
"May I hug you?"
<span class="choice">
[[Hug Winona.->Hug Winona]]
[[Step away.->Step away]]
</span>
The one thing I remember more than anything was how //hot// her body was.
It felt scalding to the touch. Like a shower on way too hot. But after a few moments, I relished that heat [[more than anything]] I have in a long time.She walks past, straight to the shower.
I wait until the water turns on to breath again.
Why am I like this?
She's cute, obviously. Hot.
But she's also obnoxious. A bit of a neat freak, even more so than me.
Her hair gets everywhere.
The minute I think about her hair, I think about her the other day. Laying down, sprawled open, flirting.
<<if $boundaries < 2>>
[[Fuck.]]
<<else>>
[[Take a deep breath, Esme...]]
<</if>>I bite my lip.
I push the feeling away. I should either sleep, or wake up. Laying here isn't good for anything.
[[Try to sleep.]]
[[Get ready for the day.]]I must be tired. I'm never like this.
<span class="flavor">
I shut my eyes and try to sleep more. If I'm lucky, I'll just sleep the entire day. [[It's not like it matters anyway.]]
</span>
After what feels like an eternity, I hear the shower stop. There's movement as Winona gets herself dried for bed.
I roll over. I feel sleep coming again, as I push my thoughts to other, more boring things. Darkness pulls at the edges of my mind, but I'm lucid enough to hear Winona exit the bathroom and crawl into bed.
<span class="choice">
[[Mumble a goodnight.->MumbleGoodnight]]
[[Let sleep overcome me.->FallAsleep]]</span>I pull off my covers and leap to my feet. I should just leave for now, get my mind off of things.
Off of her.
I go to my small drawer, picking out clothes for the day. I feel sluggish. Every shirt doesn't look right, every skirt isn't the right color...
Eventually, I pick out something so plain and comfortable it might as well be another pair of pajamas. I hear the water stop in the bathroom. Winona must be done. She takes awhile to dry her hair, but then she'll be out.
[[Wait to say goodbye to Winona.]]
[[Rush and leave.]]I check my appearance as best I can without a reflection. I'm sure I look fine. I always do, apparently.
But...
The door to the bathroom creaks open, and Winona exits. She's wearing her signature sleep style: a loose tanktop and shorts. Her hair, surprisingly, is pulled up into a ponytail. It still hangs and spreads everywhere, but her face isn't obscured by anything for once.
Winona regards me with a smile and wave.
[[I regret my decision to stay immediately.]]I pull on a long coat, hat, and shoes.
<<if $boundaries != 2>>
I should get out. Something isn't right today. I feel a heat I haven't felt in years. Yesterday sticks out in my mind like a glowing, red thorn in my heart.
<</if>>
I triple check my belongings before heading down the stairs.
I move to open the front door when I hear Winona from the top of the stairs.
"Have a good one Esme."
"Thanks. Sleep well."
I close the door [[without another word.->ThursNight]]
"Love you, good night."
<<linkappend "...">>Wait. What the [[fuck?->confession]]<</linkappend>>"You okay?"
"I'm, uh. Fine."
"Hah... Alright, sure." She shrugs nonchalantly and crawls into bed. She lays on her side, resting her chin on her hand and her other on her leg. "You look nice."
<<if $boundaries != 2>>
"R-really?" I look at my attire again. Plain white shirt, black yoga pants, and a light jacket. "This is like, my laze-around-the-house gear."
"Yeah. It looks good on you." She gives me a smile, showing off her canines.
FUCK.
"Okay I gotta go now I'll see you later byeeeee!"
Without another word, I run down the stairs, open the door, and [[power walk through the forest aimlessly.->ThursNight]]
<<else>>
"Thanks..." I absent-mindedly adjust my dress. "I figure I'd treat myself to some nice blood tonight."
"Eugh." She wrinkles her nose and flops back on bed. "TMI."
[["Yeah, sorry."->ThursNight]] I mutter, and turn away. Winona sits back up in surprise at my mood swing, but I'm already down the stairs. I throw open the door and leave for the night.
<</if>>The walk to the city isn't bad. At least, it's not bad compared to the walk //to// the cottage.
<span class="flavor">
There's a glow above the trees, a glow that blots out the stars and beauty of the night sky. [[The city.]]
The walk takes about 2 hours. Five hours for humans, but they don't have our speed, confidence, or love of the moon as we do.
In no time, I'm at the city edge. I head to [[the usual place]]</span> to get a ride, and [[drive into the nightlife.]]I stare at the ceiling, trying to push the memory from my mind. It was [[nothing.]]I'm not sure what came over me, or her for that matter. But I said yes.
She stepped over the line, carefully not to erase it. [[She wrapped me in her arms.]] I put mine around her, too.
"Thanks Esme." She lets out a deep sigh. "I never knew how nice it was to come home to someone. Or... wake up in the proximity of someone, haha..."
<<set $boundaries to 0>>I took a small step backwards and shook my head, gesturing at the line between us.
"Chalk."
"Mm... Chalk." She smiled, and ruffled her hair. "I just wanted to say... About the other night, uh."
She hesitated. She brushed her hair behind her ear, a purely theatrical action as it just fell back into place immediately.
"Thanks for... you know, waiting up for me." She placed her hands on her hips and sighed out the words, like a weight was lifted off her chest just by saying it out loud. "You're not usually home at that time, and, well, I don't know if it was on purpose or not but... Coming home to someone felt really nice."
<span class="choice">
[["No problem. It was nice for me, too."]]
[[I made up an excuse.->Make up an excuse.]]</span>
<<set $boundaries to 1>>I played with the front of my pajama pants, twirling the waistband in my fingers.
Even in her human form, I felt like I could see her tail wagging. Even in the darkness I felt her eyes shining on me.
"... Anyway. Goodnight, Esme."
"Have a good day."
[[The distance between us never felt larger.->more than anything]]."It was nothing. I just didn't have any plans or anything..."
Winona nodded while I mumbled on and on, layering on excuses for no reason.
<<set $boundaries to 2>>
I don't know why I keep [[pushing her away.->more than anything]]You're getting worked up over nothing! Just //relax...//
I count to three. We've established boundaries. We're keeping to them. I can't let my heart take over my head.
She's bad for me.
Werewolves have elongated life-spans, but they're not immortal. They age. They die. They love the moon and sun equally, while we're trapped in night.
They always realize the finite nature of their existance. And then they leave. To live, to be with someone who //understands//, to thrive.
[[She's bad for me.]]If I say that enough, I'll believe it.
I pull off my covers and stand up. I have to get ready to leave -- staying here won't do any good. For either of us. But especially not me.
<span class="flavor">
I put on some clothes. A lacey black dress, dark heels. My hair is trimmed to a pixie cut, so I just put on a nice barrette and call that finished. Make-up. I'll go for something [[high-quality]] tonight to get my mind off of things.</span>
I hear the water turn off in the bathroom. Winona must be done showering. She'll take awhile to dry her hair.
<span class="choice">
[[Wait to say goodbye to Winona.]]
[[Rush and leave.]]</span>The rich and influential tend to have better-tasting blood than commonfolk.
It's a mystery why. Some believe it's due to their way of life. Without the daily struggles of a job, or stresses about money and food. Where everything is handed to you - you take it by force.
Perhaps they are privileged down to their very <<back "blood.">>Sleep is more a routine than something necessary.
It's nice to be unconcious during all the hours the sun rears its ugly head on Earth. Some vampires sleep for the entirety of summer -- when the days are longest -- and only wake to feed.
The longest I've slept is four days.
<<back "Maybe I should give vampire-hibernation a shot.">>"//ANYWAY!//" I reach into the bucket, and take out a big piece of white chalk. "I'm drawing boundries. No crossing or else."
"Or //eeeelse?//" She draws out her voice into a low tone.
"Or //else// we reenact the Fifth Moon War."
"Oh, tough. I like it." Winona gives me a smirk, obviously not taking me seriously. I press on anyway.
"I'm serious. Don't mess with me. Or my shampoo, or my liquor, or my designer socks. I want you to think the floor is lava on of my side."
"Fine, fine." She rolls back over, throwing her arms above her head and stretching by arching her back. When she does this, she shows off her body, ignoring her shirt sliding slowly upwards and revealing her midsection. "I guess that's alright, if you're fine ignoring all our sexual tension and not. Touching. Me."
[[... What!?]]"Love you- aahhwww- too." She replies, punctuating herself with a yawn right in the middle.
Right. That's right. Saying "I love you" is normal nowadays between friends.
I slowly relax. She didn't catch on. Thank God.
She makes a sound, like a grunt. My eyelids flutter open to see what she's doing, and she's just sitting up lazily in bed.
[["Wanna kiss?"]]"What?"
"Do you, want, to kiss, me?" She speaks slower, gesturing to me, herself, and making a kissy motion with her hands.
"W... Why would I want to do that!?"
She laughs, and sinks back into her bed, wrapping herself in her giant down blanket.
"Mm, guess I misunderstood. Love you //friendo//." She gazes at me with bedroom eyes. "I just..."
She pauses to nestle even deeper in her bed and sigh wistfully.
<<include winonaConfession>>She turns away. Her body language says she isn't looking for a response.
Every bit of sleepiness vanishes instantly. I don't need to breath, but I still feel the wind knocked from me.
[[Speechless.]]I sink into a pile of pillows and blankets. The softness of it all envelops me.
Laying on my back, I pull my pajamas and panties down to my knees. The sticky heat between my legs blasted by sudden cool air sends [[a shiver up my spine.]]
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, starting slowly by lightly tapping on my clit.I try not to think of anything in particular.
I try to guide my thoughts towards generic, erotic imagery. Women grinding against each other, hands gripping hips.
My breathing gets unsteady. I push a finger inside, feeling the anticipation I built up release at once. I surpress my voice by sucking on my bottom lip.
[[But then I hear it.]]It's quiet. Barely noticeable.
But I heard Winona moaning, too. Or at least, trying not to.
And because her hearing is //even better than mine//, I know she heard me, too.
[[We're both soundless now.->We both go quiet.]]
Embarassment floods me, shame threatens to stop everything entirely, but... I'm aroused.
And I hope she's thinking of me."..."
"..."
Every second is an hour, and every minute a lifetime.
So I push my fingers back in, and don't hold my voice back.
"Aaahh..."
More heat rushes to my face at the sound of my voice filling the cottage, shattering any illusion of me doing otherwise.
Then she responds back with a sound of her own.
And the small space is filled with our quiet, desperate voices. [[Filled with desire and lust.]]I think of her. Of what I've seen of her body, and what I haven't.
I want to hold her, and taste her, and feel her hands on every part of me.
I want to jerk her off, and her to fuck me with her fingers in kind.
[[I feel climax coming]] the moment I imagine her on top of me.Her voice is so cute. Soft, quiet, but with a low growl to it that's unique only to her.
I push a second finger inside, using my thumb to keep pressure on my clit as I thrust my fingers in and out.
"I want you, Winona..."
The declaration fills me with more excitement.
"Esme, I want you too... I want all of you."
I feel my legs quiver.
[["Come here."]]I say it pleadingly.
There's a pause. "Are you sure?"
"If you want to... please, come here." I let go of whatever shame tried to hold me back.
I hear her come down the stairs, but my body doesn't register it. When she appears at the end of the bookcases, I'm still sprawled open, biting my fist.
Her long, dark hair has never looked sexier. It silhouettes her body's every curve and contour. She's naked, mostly. Her shirt is pulled up like she forgot to put it on all the way, and she has no pants to speak of. She's covering her crotch, and her face is so red it looks like it's [[lighting up the darkness.]] I shakily get up and step closer to her in one clumsy movement. My head feels clear but urgent. "Kiss me."
Before the last sound of "me" leaves my lips, she's here, arms wrapped around me and tongue in my mouth. I push my tongue deeper in hers, not to be outdone. Our kiss is hot, messy, and //wild//.
I reach down and grab her dick, and stroke it intensely, as if picking up from where we left off.
At some point, we start crouching to the floor, before leaning against a bookcase together.
<span class="choice">
[[Lay on top of her.]]
[[Sit next to her.]]
</span>
I gently push on her shoulders to show my intent, and she lays down. I twist around to display my cunt to her, and I start sucking on her cock.
I take the length of it, careful to avoid my teeth, and suck and lick on her. I feel her fingers and tongue on me at the same time -- her tongue laps my clit with a steady, //powerful// rhythm, and her fingers toy with my ass.
I grip her by the base of her dick to steady it as I keep up the motions. My mind blanks as pleasure fills every part of my body, and I feel goosebumps on [[every exposed part of me.]]Winona reaches with one hand and starts to finger me.
We lock lips between gasping breaths. In complete unision, we pull and push against each other. I jerk her off with a strong rhythm as she brings me closer and closer to orgasm.
I feel it coming. I lean my head back, focusing on her fingers hitting every spot just right inside me.
"Winona, fuck, I'm..."
My mind goes white and I feel every sensation [[blossom]] at the same time. My legs clamp down on her hand, and I feel sudden spots of hot liquid on my own hand and arm as she moans out my name weakly."Esme, I'm-"
I take her warning and go faster right as she brings me to climax. She cums in my mouth while I moan into her, every muscle clamping and tensing with a force so strong it takes //me// by surprise.
My mind goes white. Every feeling building up to this [[blossoms->blossom]]. Winona moans my name weakly as the sensation flows through both of us and comes back down.The city that dares not sleep. Tealfront.
Tealfront is relatively new in the grand scheme of things. Founded by an elf, it's a city of magic, underground covens, restless nights, and supernatural beings. The humans who come here come for the good food and entertainment. They rarely stay long.
The existence of us supernatural beings is the <<back "best kept secret of the world">>. Only hunters //truly// know us.<<back "An out-of-city rent-a-car hub.">> Cars stretch on for miles outside the city. Its giant sign advertises its low prices and great customer service.
Most of its business is directed to the in-city office, but for us supernatural, generally driving into the city is safer than walking. It's run by an elite group of gorgons.
Truthfully, their reputation is worse than their bite. They don't //really// turn people to stone. At least, not //that// often.<h3>It passes by in a blur.</h3>
<<if $boundaries != 2>>
A nightclub. Music too loud, people too close, bodies bumping into one another.
<span class="flavor">I take [[a bite]] from someone's arm. Another from a playful kiss.</span>
[[I let my senses melt into my surroundings.->meltAway]]
<<else>>
A high-class party. I [[charm]] the valet, assuring them I'm with someone who's inside.
They let me in. I float over to the bar, and sink into someone's conversation.
[[My senses melt as I go through the motions->meltAway]] that I've done a million times before. A well-placed laugh, a playful tug on their arm, and [[a bite]] so gentle it could be mistaken as a passionate kiss.
<</if>>The image of a vampire biting on someone's neck to feed is //mostly// <<back "myth">>.
In reality, we keep our bites gentle. Most don't realize they've been bitten at all. From what I've heard, it's like a very hot surge to the area we bite, but it's quickly flooded with a sense of relaxation.
We still bite necks. But only when we're trying to convert someone. These days, new vampires are rare.A low-level ability, closer to a very persuasive tone than actual magic.
Some people are more sensitive to its effects than others. Children seem almost immune.
<<back "I don't like using it much.">>...
... ...
Before I know it, I'm walking back.
The night barely exists in my memory. In the hours I spent in the city, not even one moment was I able to ignore what I left to forget.
Winona.
She pulls ahead of every thought. Every fleeting feeling is replaced by an ache in my heart.
<<if $boundaries == 2>>
The feeling of heartbreak. Being left behind by a mortal, again. I don't know if I can stomach that again.
<<else>>
I know, somewhere in my brain, that I'm scared. I know I like her. Too much. And I have a feeling she likes me, too. But her lifespan is far shorter than mine.
<</if>>
... Despite all this, [[I know I'm falling in love.]]...
... ...
"Hey, Esme?"
"Hmmm...?"
"I just, uh."
...?
"Nevermind, actually. I just was gonna say, like... Uhh. Hahaha. Sorry. I didn't think it through. Good night."
"It's gonna bother me now, [[just say it.]]"I try to rationalize my own thoughts. That she must be tired (she's not //that// tired). She doesn't know what she's getting into (but I know she's smarter than that). She's crazy (I am, too).
I close my eyes tightly and bite my lip.
I know, somewhere in my brain, that I'm scared. I know I like her. Too much. But her lifespan is far shorter than mine.
Nothing I try to rationalize matters. [[I know I'm falling in love.->love2]]"..."
"Winona, come on. Really. It's gonna bother me."
She gives a loud, forced laugh. "Okay, fine, but..." She pauses to nestle even deeper in her bed and sigh wistfully.
<<include winonaConfession>><<if $boundaries == 1>>
"You're beautiful. I like you." She breathes out. "The other night, I wanted to hug you... And you didn't, that's cool. I don't want to mess up this -- vampire aside, I think we get along pretty well, all things considered. I just got my hopes up when you said that. Sorry. [[I'm rambling.->I don't think I'm sleeping tonight.]]"
<<else>>
"You're beautiful. I like you." She breathes out. "And I just thought, maybe you like me, too. It was just a hug the other night, but, I don't know... I felt really close to you. And if you don't feel the same, that's cool. I like what we have -- vampire aside, I think we get along pretty well, all things considered. I just got my hopes up when you said that. Sorry. [[I'm rambling.->I don't think I'm sleeping tonight.]]"
<</if>>I tiptoe into the cottage, closing the door behind me.
My thoughts are a swirling mess. I want Winona in every way. I want to be part of her life, more than as just a roommate.<<if $boundaries ==2>> I can fight it, run from it, push her away... But I know my own heart well enough to know it's not possible. The best I can do is prepare.<</if>>
She must be asleep. It has to be close to 3AM, if it 4AM.
The silence of the cottage. The feeling of blood running through my veins. The freshness of the other night sticking out in my mind. I shudder as I realize I'm feeling [[that desire]] for the first time in years.I head to the reading cranny, carefully. Quietly. The heat and wetness between my legs pushes me forward with a sense of urgency.
There's privacy here. Below the upstairs floor so it's out of sight from above, behind bookcases so it's out of sight from the side... Temptation and lust fill me. I crawl over to the far back, where pillows, blankets, and other comfort items pile and line the floor and walls.
[[Alone.]]My thoughts are a swirling mess. I want Winona in every way. I want to be part of her life, more than as just a roommate.
I feel time pass by slowly. It's probably been over an hour since she last spoke. She must be asleep by now.
The silence of the cottage. Her words echoing in my head. The freshness of the other night sticking out in my mind. I shudder as I realize I'm feeling [[that desire->desireFromSleep]] for the first time in years.I can't do it here. Not while she's so close.
I slip out from my mattress, barely moving the sheets to stay silent. My legs feel unsteady, but I will them to move with purpose.
I grip my shirt in nervousness, trying to keep my body small, and head for the stairs. Down each step, testing which ones creak or not.
I'm nervous. But something about sneaking off is even more [[arousing->that desire]]....
... ...
We pull away from each other gradually.
The cottage returns to stillness.
I lay down, spread open in the blankets, doing everything to steady myself. I gesture to Winona to [[lay with me.]]<<if hasVisited("drive into the nightlife.")>><<include "citySexTalk">><<else>><<include "sleepSexTalk">><</if>>"I... had to leave earlier because I was nervous." I finally admit. "I'm... hm. I don't know if this just sex for you. Because I like you. And I'm scared you actually like me, too."
"Boo." She kisses my hand. "I do like you. A lot."
"I don't want you to. And I don't want to like you, either.<<if $boundaries ==2>> I don't want you to get older, and realize something about your life, and leave me.<<else>> I'm not sure if you'll like me in 25 years. Or 30, or 40.<</if>>"
"Esme..." [[She begins.]]I nuzzle into Winona's side, enjoying the perfume of her hair and skin.
"I... I like you too." I admit. I feel her smile in response. "I do. But I can't do the whole... kind of together, kind of not, thing. I go all in."
"That's fine by me."
"For now it is..." I exhale. "What about in 25 years? Or 40? For me, that's... practically nothing. That's your life."
She goes quiet, [[stroking my hair.]]"I don't really know what to say. I get what you mean. I don't want to hurt you, either." She finally speaks again, in a sadder tone.
"Yeah."
I stare at the ceiling. I follow the wood patterns, trying to find shapes in them. She puts her hand on top of mine.
"Do you want to go for it anyway?"
[["Huh?"]]"Being together. I mean... Fuck it, you know? Who cares?" She laughs. "Life is... well, I guess it's not short for you, but. For me it is. Do you want to try it anyway?"
"Weren't you listening?"
"Yeah, but, kinda sounds like you're just being a scaredy-cat."
"You... are such a werewolf. I'm being serious."
"Yeah. Me too. What's life if you're only going to live in fear?" She raises herself up. [["Come on. Say 'fuck it'."]]Winona <<linkreplace "is far too feral." t8n>>is fantastic in every way.<</linkreplace>>
Winona <<linkreplace "is far too wild." t8n>>drives me wild... But in a good way.<</linkreplace>>
Winona <<linkreplace "is too unruly to ever be good for me." t8n>>is falling for me.
And I'm falling for her, too.
I take a deep breath, and return her smile. [["Fuck it."]]<</linkreplace>><sub>Thank you for reading! That's the end of this story. If you liked it, please let us know. Click <<back [[Start]]>> to return to the start.</sub>Double-click this passage to edit it."I don't really know what to say. I get what you mean. I don't want to hurt you, either." She finally speaks again, in a sadder tone.
"Yeah."
I stare at the ceiling. I follow the wood patterns, trying to find shapes in them. She puts her hand on top of mine.
"Do you want to go for it anyway?"
[["Huh?"]]