But Not For You and I

[Penelope Blaise]

Out of all of the many rooms within her home, there was only one that held a bed within it. She saw no use in guestrooms, as she never had a guest in the years she had resided in this home. And in this instance, it was completely different. Although she rarely used the bed itself, it was strange to see another person within it. However, sleep was for the weary, and she was exactly that.

Bedridden. She knew the effects a change could have on a person, but it was fascinating to watch it. The girl was incredibly stubborn, and it did little to help her move forward. Her fever was only now starting to break.

So quiet steps brought her over to the bed, a cool, damp towel in one hand, the other carried a wine class delicately between her fingers. Crimson liquid filled it like wine, and she wondered if the girl's sense of smell could already pick up that it wasn't.

"You're awake." She said, voice not carrying surprise, but rather announcement for the fact. She stepped in closer, dark eyes casting down on the newly turned vampire. She rested the cloth against her own forearm, her now free hand reaching out in attempt to brush idle strands of hair out of the way.

[Lucy Serrano]

The change was something Lucy had never considered for her life. As she lay in a bed she didn't recognise, it was as if she couldn't move. Her entire body felt as if it could catch alight and singe every piece of perfectly pressed fabric she must have been laid in. Did she pass out? She must have. The last room she remembered was her own. The last thing she remembered was being inconsolably angry.

The thing that dragged her uncontrollably from any kind of slumber was the overpowering smell that called to senses she didn't know she had. But her eyes felt so heavy, like opening them was an incredible chore within itself. She tried so hard, and even that proved to be stupidly difficult.

A familiar voice worked to set her blood on fire; a crease between her eyebrows felt like the most she could give by way of distaste.

"Fuck off." She seethed, the words falling on a heavy breath. Even filling her lungs with air was paining.

[Penelope Blaise]

Immediately, Penelope's eyebrows shot upward. Her lips formed a solid, thin line as she pursed them in immediate disapproval for the words offered to her. That was no way to speak to someone who ultimately made you better. Yet there was no falter in the way her fingertips pushed dark strands away.

She reached for the cloth, pressing it to her forehead a moment later.

"You'll strain yourself just talking." She pointed out gently, a hint of amusement shining through her expression. "You're weak."

[Lucy Serrano]

There was a very real threat of panic when Lucy realised she was making contact. If she had the energy to break away from her she very easily would have, but she didn't. So she found herself completely at the will of the person who swept idle strands from her eyes.

The cooler touch against her forehead pulled her eyes open, and she stared straight up at the person responsible. It was growing to be an agonising death, and Lucy wondered just how genuine this stint of effort was.

Was it funny? Really? She thought to push herself up but her hands beneath the unfamiliar covers lacked the ability to do so.

Everything was white. Clean and crisp. It was an impossibly strange setting.

"Where is this?"

[Penelope Blaise]

When Lucy opened her eyes, Penny's own looked to catch them. She looked so tired, yet there was no denying the anger that simmered behind them. Like a rage that was ready to burst, if it were possible for her to even do so in the state she was in. It was endearing, how she tried and failed. At least she was aware enough of her surroundings.

"You are in my home." She explained simply, never shifting her gaze to look around the area she spoke of. "And, I suppose, your own as well, now." She hummed the latter half of her statement, as if it had only just occurred to her although it had been part of the plan all along.

Her fingertips drew downwards along her cheek until it tucked under the newly changed vampire's chin, lifting it slightly. "I have no doubt you will grow used to it."

[Lucy Serrano]

Arguably, Lucy could have figured out exactly where she was with ease. But the mind was incredibly slow to catch everything else up; she still glanced at all she could see before she let her eyes turn to the owner of it all again. Wide eyed took to the idea that she might ever live here herself. She even exhaled a short hit of air in an attempt at a disbelieving laugh.

"I've got a home." She replied as her head was tilted upwards, and every touch had her so weary. Even if her home didn't look as good as this, it was still her own. Pain overtook her features when her hand pressed to the bed she found herself in. She did her best not to seethe as she eased herself up a little. If she kept pushing, surely she could get out of bed.

"You can't just do this." No explanation. No forewarning. Strained words from either the anger or the exhausting nature of what felt like an unbreakable fever; "Can you? Can you just do this?" Was there really no repercussions for a transformation against a person's will?

[Penelope Blaise]

Penny kept watch at the girl who struggled to even push herself up a few inches. She was so incredibly stubborn, and the vampire dragged her hand down further, simply placing it against her shoulder. She didn't out pressure to ease her back down, but rather a road block to keep her loving forward. "I can," she stated factually. "I did."

Her mind had been made up for so long now, that she hadn't bothered to consider repercussions, were there any. "You will thank me, in time."

Here hand pressed down, now. "Rest."

[Lucy Serrano]

A hand at her shoulder was all Lucy needed to stop. As much as she wanted to fight it - as much as she tried in her own way - it was to no avail. There was no strength to be had in her form now; not when it felt as if she were fighting death itself to keep breathing.

But resting? As perfect as it sounded, it also felt unachievable. Her mind was trying to catch the time spend resting as it was. She didn't even know what day it was.

"Why the bloody hell would I thank you?" She asked, and she couldn't help the pointed glance she made to the supposed drink she has brought with her; "This is fucking torture."

[Penelope Blaise]

Penny watched with a sense of humor the way Lucy tried to fight her. She couldn't even feel the strength - or lack thereof - that she had tried to push with. It was rather, but admittedly a little endearing.

"This pain will pass." Penny replies easily. She rolled her shoulders back, following the point to where her gaze had shifted.

Slowly, she brought the liquid to her own lips, taking a prolonged sip. "Would you like some?"

[Lucy Serrano]

Of course the point of their fight would be lost on her. Lucy wanted it known just how horrifying this change was, and she had to wonder how long it would be before a sliver of that strain of thought would catch her attention. Never? Given the stint of eternity she would now suffer, that was actually probable.

The question posed seemed so simple. It had her eyes widen instinctively; she was as mad as she could be already, but offering any kind of frontal assault was impossible now.

"No." She replied flatly, sure she could fight whatever urge this was. She snaked her arm out from beneath the covers, reaching for the cloth at her forehead; "Don't need it."

[Penelope Blaise]

Lord was this girl stubborn, but Penelope was already highly aware of that. It was part of why she was attracted to Lucy in the first place. She was so determined to live out her horrible life, even when it could be better. When it was offered to her and she so clearly wanted it, but still tried to put up a fight about it, weak as it was.

And she was still complaining. Although a transition was never easy, it was something bearable. She would grow past it, and be better because of it. Why should Penny be the source of anger when she was doing this girl a favor?

"You actually do." She replied, her voice light and almost humored by it all. She took another long taste of the liquid, allowing it to build a thin layer against her lips before she set the glass down. She pressed her hand to the bed, bending forward and so close to her. "You can smell it, can't you?"

[Lucy Serrano]

The thought behind Lucy's own words was hopeful at most. Like perhaps if she left it all together, things would be different. Like she could revert if she did her best to ignore the way the contents of that glass called to her. It only worked to remind her just how unfair it all was.

The closer she came after drinking that, the more prominent it's appearance became. Lucy felt the way she could move a little better now, as if fumes alone could fuel a tank entirely.

Her eyes kept their focus on the one who hovered over her now. So near. "If I don't, then I die. Right?" She asked, tilting her head up a fraction. And then she smiled, but almost as if she'd won; "I'm good."

[Penelope Blaise]

Penny was always one to observe, and the physical reaction she had to the smell of blood was impossible to miss. It forced a twitch to the corner of her mouth, head tilting just slightly to the side as she moved even closer to the newly changed vampire. Yet she was smiling, like she could outsmart the process.

There was so much she had to learn.

Her own tongue drew across the length of her bottom lip, tasting the little blood that was left behind. Making it unavailable for the person who evidently did not wish to have it. "No." Penny corrected smartly. She stood up straight again, a hand pressing to her hip. "Your new instincts will take over." She hummed in amusement at the thought. "You'll go on a killing spree to nourish yourself."

[Lucy Serrano]

Lucy's eyes dropped instinctively to the line of her lips. The closest source of blood was suddenly stolen, and all that remained was what was left in the glass. She stared with a newer kind of intensity at the mouth that continously scorned her.

And then it did again. Newfound information heard only in prior stories had Lucy's eyes widening. "I'll do what?" She asked, but she really didn't want it reiterated. It was blunt enough as is.

She tried to move again, this time reaching past the covers to press a hand to her shoulder. To ease her back and inevitably fight well enough for the glass, if she got that far; "No fucking way!"

[Penelope Blaise]

There was that sense of panic. The kind that Penelope loved to see. This girl still had her humanity with her - though Penny imagined it would not be long until it was lost. Though, given her stubborn nature, it was impossible to actually know for fact. The curve of her lip only grew into a full smile now, though it was hardly as light a subject as she made it out to be.

A hand pressed to her shoulder, and with quickened speed, she reached to hold the vampire back. "Where are your manners?" Penny questioned, eyebrows rising as she clicked her tongue in disapproval. "You have denied what has been offered to you; do you believe you can just have it now?"

No, of course not.

Her hand curled under Lucy's arm, moving to try to pull them both up to stand. "Come with me."