Bloodletting, Chapter 1

A pop of sound and a sprinkling of purple sparks marked Atrios’ arrival in the midst of Basil’s Daedric mansion. The large Flame Atronach swung his head side to side, watching the hustle and bustle of the lively place. Lively yes, but full of undead, the mansion being the home of many vampires of the Aundae clan, of which Basil was the head of.

Immediately, a slave scurried up to him, asking him if there was anything he needed. The inhabitants of the mansion already knew of Atrios and that his being there was wanted, so the sight of a Flame Atronach appearing in the middle of the main hall fazed those living there very little. This was not his first visit to Basil Ieya-Sil’s home; he’d been here numerous times, getting to know the ancient vampire and trading magical techniques and stories, a deep friendship springing up between the two.

Nodding to the slave, Atrios responded, “Yess. Atrios here ssee Basil. Iss around?” Atrios’ unique turn of speech had made visiting difficult at first, but most of the slaves were now used to the way he spoke and were able to understand him as long as he kept to short conversations with them..

“The Master is in his study, actually. He’s been in there for quite a while.” The slave’s voice was tinged with worry as he explained the situation to the Atronach. “I know he’s like this sometimes, and that there’s nothing we can do, really, but…”

“Atrios check on handssome vampire, Basil sservant not worry,” he interrupted, patting the slave’s shoulder reassuringly. While he hadn’t known Basil for as long as most of those within the mansion, he’d already learned of the ancient vampire’s habit of holing up in his study for countless days when he was especially upset or in the midst of magical study, often forgetting to feed until he was passed out on the floor. Though Atrios himself had never witnessed this first hand, he’d heard stories from others about the bad habit.

Knowing this, he became slightly worried as he let his feet guide him to the vampire’s study, his mind preoccupied with his thoughts. He knew Basil could not die from starvation and would likely only be unconscious, but vampires could be violent when awoken from such a state and with Basil’s strength, if he frenzied, there’s no telling what kind of damage he could do. He hoped that this wasn’t the case and that the slave had been merely mistaken and that Basil hadn’t been locked away for too long.

Of course, Atrios knew why Basil would be spending most of his time in the study–it was part of the reason why he’d come to visit the vampire. After discovering the missing ingredient for the ancient’s blood potions which allowed a vampire the ability of limited daywalking, the big Aundae had emersed himself in studying Dremora blood and experimenting with various potions, using his own blood in them. He’d asked for Atrios’ help in the matter, wanting someone with vast knowledge of Daedra and their magic to bounce ideas off of. Atrios had been more than happy to oblige, as he enjoyed working with the Altmer on magical research. The vampire had an amazing enthusiasm for studying and research.

The door to the study was closed when Atrios arrived there and he knocked on the solid door, hoping Basil wasn’t too absorbed in whatever he was doing to hear him. There was no answer and this time, Atrios knocked a little harder. Three more times and he began calling, then shouting for Basil to answer the door, but silence was his only reply. Atrios’ heart started to race as his worry grew and he cast an unlock spell upon the door. It didn’t budge.

He looked up and down the hallway he was in, but no other vampires or slaves were in sight. His shouting had apparently not roused anyone. Either that, or they were staying clear to give Basil his quiet. Damn it, he thought to himself, sizing up the large, oak door that barred his entrance.

Just to make sure Basil was really in there, he huffed deeply, letting his senses expand and trying to detect if anyone was in the room. While Basil’s smell was definitely heavy here, he couldn’t detect the heat of anyone inside the room. While that wouldn’t be too odd considering Basil was a vampire, he also knew that the Altmer liked being warm and required much blood to keep him going, being as large as he was. The only heat sources he could feel in the room were a fire in the fireplace and a smaller hot spot, near where the Alchemy table would be, probably a calcinator. This told Atrios two things: the room had recently been in use and that Basil was either nearby or in the room, as the vampire would have never left his study without putting everything in its place and making sure things were turned off and the fire out.

Deciding he didn’t want to take the chances of Basil being in there and needing help while he went on a search, he decided to open the door another way. If Basil was fine, then he’d just have to buy him a new door. Atrios was not small by any means, his eyes eight feet from the ground and his long horn towering high above that. He was also heavy with muscle and strong with it. Squaring his shoulders, he threw himself at the door with all his might. The first slam split the wood around the doorknob and hinges, and the second ended up with Atrios sprawled atop the broken door as it slammed to the floor and his momentum carried him with it.

Shaking his head, Atrios had to take a moment to clear it from the fall. He got to his feet carefully and looked around the room. Basil’s scent was strong here, a deep and musky male smell with a hint of coldness to it that all vampires had. As he had expected, a fire was lit in the fireplace, though growing small from not having been stoked recently. Then his eyes fell on the large desk and he hurried over.

Draped over the desk, slouched in his seat was Basil, unmoving and looking every bit as dead as he was. A scattering of notes and books were piled on the desk, some under the unconscious vampire’s head, a quill resting in one limp hand. His sleeveless vest seemed a bit wrinkled and his hair was frazzled. Atrios touched his shoulder carefully and felt the nearly ice-cold skin. He shook the vampire carefully, “Basil?”

There was no movement, not even a peep of sound or a murmur of sleepiness. He shook again, calling out Basil’s name a bit louder and noticed how the vampire’s body felt completely limp and as cold as a corpse. Swallowing hard, Atrios leaned over the man, touching the back of his head and turning it so Basil’s face was to him. The look across the handsome features was emotionless, blue-tinged lips parted ever so slightly and eyelids drooping but not all the way closed. Retracting the talon on his thumb, Atrios pushed open one eyelid and then the other carefully, noticing that both eyes were rolled up. He prodded his thumb between the man’s lips and pulled his mouth open, noticing that it was completely dry.

Atrios tried to keep himself from panicking and cleared his mind best he could. He pressed his masked face against the side of Basil’s head, trying to reach in his mind using the small telepathic link anchored there. Basil was there, but very weak and Atrios knew if he pushed too hard, the vampire would most likely flip out. He retracted the mental touch as carefully as he could, pulling away slowly so his presence wouldn’t be detected. When he’d first met this man, he knew barely anything of vampires, but know he was very knowledgeable, being just as curious and thorough in his questioning of Basil about what he was as Basil was in questioning Atrios in return. He knew that in Basil’s current state, there was a high chance of him frenzying if anything sudden happened.

He pulled his head away and gently laid Basil back down on the desk, kneeling on the floor beside him to think a moment. The panic rose in him as he glanced at the door and then back at the limp vampire in the chair. He was sure he could find a slave or two to get Basil back in working order, but he was worried because he didn’t know how long Basil had been laying like this. Plus, it would take more than a couple slaves to get the man full enough to be reasoned with. Something needed to be done, soon.

The decision wasn’t exactly difficult to make, but he was afraid of it being the wrong one. Vampires, especially Altmer ones, were extremely weak to fire and Atrios knew his blood could quite possibly be lethal to Basil. However, he did have an option to fall back on if this is what was needed. He looked at his hands, letting his talons grow sharp, and quickly scratched a pattern into his left bracer, banishing the armor into his skin. Time would be of the essence once he started and he knew he had to act fast before Basil had a chance to frenzy.

Raising himself up on his knees, Atrios slid up to the chair, wrapping a long arm around Basil and tilting him back carefully until his head flopped backwards, facing the ceiling. He retrieved his arm once he made sure the mer was steady in that position and brought his hands together, a spark of magic dancing between them. The spark grew until it was quite large, completely obscuring the Atronach’s hands and the air around it seemed oddly cool. He poured as much magicka into this spell as he could, the largest fire resistance spell he knew. It would need recast in a few minutes, but hopefully by that time he’d have Basil coherent enough to understand what was happening.

Laying his hands across Basil’s bare chest, he poured the spell into the Altmer’s body, watching a flash of blue-white power surge across pale skin. As the spell took hold, he didn’t waste any time and tore into his left wrist with his talons, ripping the skin deeply and letting his blood flow, an orange, glowing cast to the crimson flowing from the wound. With one gore-covered hand, he grabbed the back of Basil’s head firmly as he felt the man begin to wake up, driven by primal instinct and the smell of fresh blood. He didn’t give the vampire enough time to wake up fully and thrust his bloody wrist at Basil’s mouth, pressing against it so the blood would flow right into his mouth.

There was a slight jerk through Basil’s body as the blood hit his tongue and instincts warned him about the danger, the blood like white-hot lava. There was no pain, though, and so he drank automatically, the action almost like a reflex. Atrios watched him carefully, noticing that with each mouthful he could feel Basil getting stronger and seemed to not have a bad reaction to his fire-tainted blood. He sighed in relief. Several moments passed in near-silence, the only sound was the macabre slopping as the vampire sucked eagerly on Atrios’ wrist. The Atronach ticked away the seconds in his mind, not really paying attention to how much blood was being taken and instead keeping track on how long the resistance spell had left.

Absorbed as he was on his counting, he didn’t see Basil’s bright yellow eyes open suddenly, a certain madness in their amber depths. If he had been paying attention, he would have seen the warning and known the danger. As it was, he was taken completely off guard when the tall Altmer suddenly came to life in a flurry of movement, violently tackling Atrios to the ground and pinning him there. Staring up into the frenzy filled eyes, Atrios knew exactly what was happening and his surprise dwindled, replaced with understanding. The half-mad vampire seemed to notice this as Atrios submitted to him, letting his muscles relax, and so wasted no time in letting go of Atrios’ arm and grabbing his head, shoving it forcefully to the side and into the ground with a slight thud.

Dazed, Atrios felt fangs sink into his neck, not in the careful, painless way Basil usually bit people, but more in a primal need to survive and desperate fashion, ripping into the taut, orange skin. The Flame Atronach grunted in pain, but held still, letting the vampire do what he needed to. Now his blood was taken in gulping mouthfuls and Atrios began to feel a bit giddy with the blood loss. Instead of pushing Basil off him, though, he reached deep inside himself, drawing the Firestorm to feed his body. If it took drinking every last drop of his blood to get Basil coherent, then he would allow it, instead drawing power from the Firestorm until the blood could replace itself. It would significantly weaken his mortal shell, but it was necessary.

In his dizzy mind, he continued counting, trying to ignore the fangs ravaging his neck as the vampire sought out the best way to get the blood flowing faster. When the end of the spell drew near, he pulled more power from the Firestorm to replenish his magicka reserves and cast the spell again, Basil not even acknowledging the action, intent as he was on his feeding. By the time Atrios thought he really would suck him dry, Basil sat up, shaking his head and looking like he just woke up, his skin looking much more healthy now and the blue tinge gone from his lips, instead placed with gore covering his face and running down his neck.

“Atrios greetss handssome vampire,” the Atronach said breathlessly, feeling weak and shaky. He watched as the look in Basil’s eyes became more coherent and switching from being horrified to frightened and then to complete confusion. “Basil needss sstop forgetting food.” He could feel that Basil was still weak, but had apparently stopped when he realized what he was doing. What a right mess we are, Atrios thought to himself.

Atrios gently pushed the unresisting vampire off him and sat up, pulling Basil to his feet as he too stood. Unsteadily, he led them to a plush chair and collapsed on it, tugging the tall Altmer with him. He held Basil securely around the waist on his lap and offered his wrist again. “Basil drinkss. Atrios can handle.” He made an approving hiss of sound as the vampire did as he was told, apparently too shocked and confused to resist for the moment. This time the feeding was different, Basil taking careful mouthfuls of blood, nothing like the frenzying monster he was a few moments ago.

“Atrios ssorry for intrussion,” he hissed as Basil continued to feed. “No ansswer when Atrios knock. Ssorry for door.” He paused to cast the fire resistance spell again and felt even more drained. “Sslavess tell Atrios handssome vampire in sstudy long time, Atrios know Basil bad habit sstay too long, forget food. Only wanted to help.” He let his arm wrap around Basil’s middle more strongly, pulling him closer and cuddling against him, sharing his body heat with the vampire. He buried his masked face in the tussled hair, huffing deeply and approving when he detected no scent of that smell of frenzy the vampire had a while ago.

He felt Basil tense up, pausing in his feeding a moment. That same emotion that Atrios couldn’t quite place–fear? anger?–when Daeinde got a little too forward with the big vampire slipped across Atrios’ mind as he detected a change in Basil’s scent and surface thoughts. In his panic and then relief, he’d completely forgotten about that.

“Atrios jusst helping,” he assured Basil. “Not want anything elsse. Worried, make ssure handssome vampire okay before let go.” Thinking a second, he tried to elaborate, “Atrios feed handssome vampire, firsst like death, then attack Atrios. Atrios want make ssure no frenzy left.”

Turning around on his lap, Basil met eyes with Atrios, trying to read what was there. The Flame Atronach looked back calmly, if a bit weakly, trying to project open caring and assurance. An understanding seemed to pass between them then. “I know you only wish to help, Atrios, but I am still not entirely.. comfortable with this.” He shifted, testing how securely Atrios was holding him, the bloody arm forgotten for the moment and held limply in his hands.

“Atrios let go if Basil assk. Never do anything handssome vampire not want, have Atrios’ word. Only thiss becausse big Basil unwell, needed help, Atrios help. Know vampiress frenzy if like, sso take care of Basil until Basil take care of sself. Not involve otherss sso nobody hurt.”

The vampire seemed to forget about the situation for a moment as he inspected the vicious bites and ripped skin marring the Atronach’s neck. He could feel how weak Atrios was, the arm around his waist was firm in its strength, but it was shaking and the wrist he’d been gorging himself on oozed blood much slower than he thought it should. He could feel Atrios’ heartbeat: slow, dull thumps. It suddenly dawned on him that Atrios had been letting him drain him dry.

While weak, Basil’s mind sprang into action as his curiosity overcame his discomfort. “You’re already terribly weak; were you going to let me drain you? I would never forgive myself if I did that while frenzying.”

“Yess,” Atrios affirmed. “But not what handssome vampire think. Atrios fuel body with Firestorm for while if big Basil needss more blood. All if needed. Atrios jusst not want let handssome vampire out of ssight for while. Not ssure how vampire body handle Atrios’ blood without sspellss.” As if to illustrate his point, he cast another spell on the Altmer, the flash of magic lighting up the space around them for a second in an eerie white glow.

The tall Altmer shook his head, his familiar lopsided grin spreading across his face. “The more you tell me about your Firestorm, the more fascinating it becomes.” He looked into Atrios’ eyes again and knew the Atronach was being completely honest with him. “For the moment, I will relent to this.. treatment. To be quite honest, I feel a bit too wobbly to walk just yet. However,” he said, holding up one long finger to make his point. “Let’s not make this a habit.”

“Atrios agree on one condition.”

“Oh?” Basil asked, raising one perfect red eyebrow.

The Flame Atronach nodded, responding, “If handssome vampire sstop making habit of forgetting food.”

A laugh escaped the vampire. “I’m not sure if I can make that promise, but I will take your concern to heart. I do not mean to, it’s only when I’m absorbed with something, or need to be alone for a while, the time passes too quickly.” The moment of amusement passed and he became serious again. “Still, it makes me uncomfortable. I mean no offense to you specifically, it’s just how I am.”

Atrios nodded, “Atrios know how iss. Ssometimess though, sshould let otherss closse. Not alwayss about ssex. Closse nice, sshare friendsship on deep level nice. Atrios not lie, love handssome vampire very much, becausse Atrios’ friend, becausse Atrios trusst and resspect. But Atrios never take further than big Basil want. Iss not ssomething Atrios ever do. Ssometimess look like Atrios try more, but not mean that way, jusst like clossenesss. Hard for ssome undersstand sside of Atrios. Hard for Atrios remember not do.”

The tall vampire had understood this, at least on some level, ever since he met the Flame Atronach. He had seen how Atrios interacted with those he cared about, whether they were lovers or not, and had been fine with it–at a distance. This, however, was not something so easily dealt with. While he was comfortable and enjoying the warmth, something about it also felt odd, wrong, off somehow. What Atrios had done for him, though, wasn’t a small task. The Atronach had let him frenzy, but kept him contained so nobody else was hurt. Even after the danger had passed, Atrios had offered to allow Basil to continue feeding. His honor dictated he at least try to repay the kindness.

“Believe me when I say that I understand, but I also ask that you try to understand me. It is.. not easy for me to allow this kind of closeness with another male. It does not feel right to me. However, you have showed me a great deal of kindness and selflessness today, so I shall at least attempt to return the favor.”

Picking up the arm still resting in his hands, Basil brought it to his face, licking the wound clean and then sealing it, being as gentle as he could. He could see now how it had been made: it hadn’t been Basil that made the wound; Atrios himself had ripped his own wrist open. Reaching out, he placed a careful hand astride Atrios’ masked face, urging the Atronach to tilt his head back and to the side, allowing him access to the mauled throat that was still oozing blood, the stream running down Atrios’ chest and continuing to run down his armored middle and legs. “Gods, you’re a mess,” he commented before leaning forward, beginning to lick the wound clean.

He was intensely aware of how close they were, Atrios bringing his arms up to wrap them around the vampire as he licked the blood from the ragged wounds on his neck. Tenderly, he began healing them as best he could, but there was only so much he could do. Basil could see how badly damaged the skin was, only barely able to remember causing the damage in the first place. There would be scars, of that there was no doubt, and a bubble of guilt sunk in his belly.

With his task done, Basil leaned back, only to be stopped by warm arms coiling around him. A warning rose in his throat, but Atrios spoke before he could make a sound. “Not done,” he hissed stubbornly, catching the vampires eyes. “Basil sstill weak, sstill need feed. Atrios meant what ssaid. Let handssome vampire drink.” Those same warm arms urged him to lean forward again as Atrios leaned his head back, offering his throat.

An exasperated sigh would be his only answer, but Basil did tilt his head forward, biting with careful skill into the glowing skin and Atrios made a hiss at the action. This was definitely nicer than when the vampire bit him in his frenzy for blood. Pulling more power from deep within, Atrios cast another spell, one that would last much longer, then settled back, cuddling the vampire against him as Basil leisurely fed, purring in contentment.

Continuing to feed, Basil felt the vibrations running through Atrios. The sound made him think of a mother cat nursing her kittens and he couldn’t help the little chuckle that escaped at the thought. Indeed, the current situation bore a close resemblance to just that. It also helped him accept the closeness in a different way–Atrios was trying to take care of him in the only way he knew how and meant no harm to the vampire.

“What funny?” Atrios asked, his throat vibrating between Basil’s teeth. The little sound of mirth had been both out loud and mental, though Atrios was desperately trying to not invade the vampire’s mind despite how much he felt like doing so, and so hadn’t caught the mental image that had amused Basil. At his question, he felt the mental link as Basil let the magic of his bite allow him to slip unhindered into the Atronach’s mind, the act relieving Atrios somewhat.

You’re purring, was the vampire’s response. He went on, It made me think of a queen nursing her litter and that essentially, that’s what you’re letting me do: nurse. Thinking about that a moment, his mind switched gears. It makes this easier to accept, because it’s on a different level than just physical closeness. This is because of necessity: you felt the need to help me and you did what you could. While he didn’t voice it, he also suspected Atrios’ blood was having an effect on him.

The vampire shifted his body, trying to get more comfortable as the current angle his head was tilted at was giving him a cramp. Before he really considered what he was doing, he had his bare chest pressed against Atrios’ hot body, his arms around the Atronach’s middle. The realization jerked through him, then just as quickly flowed away, almost like water, as a soothing calm settled into his mind. Distractedly, he realized this should be seriously bothering him, but something was dulling the anger and panic, soothing it into a slightly uncomfortable feeling in the back of his head.

His feeding had become much slower, only taking slow sips of the blood that was barely even flowing now. It gave him time to consider just what effect Atrios’ blood was having on him as the Atronach cast another spell. He was thankful for the spells: his body felt hot; he’d never felt this warm before. The blood had a strong, spicy flavor to it, almost like Dremora blood, but definitely much spicier and more like drinking white-hot lava instead; if it wasn’t for the strong fire resistance spells being constantly cast on him, he was sure it would sear his tongue and mouth. He pushed the hot blood around his system, feeling it heat his entire body until Atrios didn’t feel so warm anymore.

Feelings flitted through his mind and he grasped them, seeing what the fire-imbued blood was doing to him. There was that same, pure energy that he got from Dremora blood, but it was lacking the ferocity and desire to tear things apart. Instead, the energy seemed freely flowing, desiring to do anything without inhibitions. Like fire, it danced through him, making him feel a bit excited with boundless energy. In the same way, though, it also seemed to have a calming effect, especially on his emotions; he felt especially laid-back and carefree, like nothing really mattered and that he should do whatever whim wished him to. There was also an almost overbearing need of not being alone, a need to be close to others. It was then that Basil realized Atrios’ emotions had an effect on his own blood, filling it with the same things the Flame Atronach felt.

It surprised Basil very little that Atrios’ blood was akin to Atrios himself: calm, loving, gentle, and having a strong desire to be close to those he cared about. If Atrios could feed himself off the Firestorm, he seemed to have little need for blood; instead, his mortal shell existing to act out his desires. Like the Atronach’s mind, his blood seemed to be as easily read as a book, everything there out in the open for him to see.

With this in mind, though, he wondered what properties of the blood were not from Atrios himself. He let a mouthful of the hot blood linger in his mouth, thinking about how it tasted and felt. The free-flowing wild energy he was feeling was likely a Flame Atronach thing, he realized as he swallowed the mouthful and calmly let another fill his mouth. He was nearly full now, feeling very sated, hunger-wise, and yet not wanting to move just yet, rooted to the spot by the overbearing calming effect the blood had on him. Despite this, the energetic nature of the blood made him want to get up and do.. something. He had no idea what, but he felt as if he should be doing something, anything. How Atrios could be so constantly calm with this nagging energy tugging at him, Basil had no idea.

Staring at the ceiling, Atrios felt the vampire’s mind shift from one thing to another, curiosity seeming to rule over the patterns. He didn’t pick out any one thought, but simply let them slide against his mind, only leaving traces of the emotions they held behind. His empathy was something he could never fully shut off. Atrios turned over the mental words that Basil had spoken a few moments ago, thinking about them. He liked the mental picture they brought to mind and was glad for the big Altmer having thought of it. In a way, he was completely right: Atrios wanted to help him and this was the only way he knew how. Though, he also longed for closeness, never feeling complete when he wasn’t near someone else. This was especially true with his friends, making him want to snuggle up with nearly everyone he was even only an acquaintance to.

In the end, Atrios didn’t care what helped Basil accept and allow himself to be cuddled and fussed over. He continued to purr, though the sound was weaker now as his blood was drained. His eyelids felt especially heavy and it was difficult to remain awake. Just as he thought he would pass out into sweet unconsciousness, he felt Basil retract and lick at his neck, sealing the bite wounds. “Handssome vampire full?” he asked, his voice barely above a hissing whisper and full of his sleepiness.

Whatever answer Basil gave, Atrios didn’t hear as he finally nodded off, letting the dark wave roll over him. The next thing he knew was he was being shaken, a voice calling his name and telling him to wake up. “Atrios ssleepy,” he murmured, trying to let himself doze back off, but the voice–and the shaking–wouldn’t be ignored. Finally cracking an eye open, he reluctantly let his mind rise to wakefulness. “What?” he asked, barely making eye contact with the vampire who had his face held securely between long-fingered hands.

Basil had felt the Atronach slip away moments before, the energy coursing through him from the strong, hot blood driving him into action despite him wanting to remain cuddled up and possibly sleep as well. Now that he wasn’t letting the calm peacefulness wash over him, he could think more clearly. Despite Atrios telling him that he could feed from the Firestorm until his body replenished itself, he couldn’t let the Atronach just lay there, nearly dead, for gods knew how long.

“Atrios,” he said, a bit more firmly as the orange eyelids started to droop closed again. When he was sure he had Atrios’ attention, or at least most of it, he continued, “I’m going to make you one of my special restorative potions. Would you let me feed it to you?” Basil was no novice when it came to Daedra; he knew much about them, having put as much energy into studying them as he did everything else magical or interesting. While he was the most familiar with Dremora and their ways, he knew some things about Flame Atronachs, including the secrecy of their masks and how they guarded the armor, not letting many see their true faces. What he was asking of Atrios would require a great deal of trust from the Atronach, but Basil hoped Atrios would allow him this, not only to repay him for what he’d done, but also to show him that he did care and considered Atrios a close friend in his own way.

He stared dumbly at the big Aundae for a few seconds as his mind caught up with the present. Atrios didn’t really need to consider his answer to Basil’s question–he’d already told Basil secrets about himself that he was even afraid to speak with Daeinde about. The secrecy of his face seemed insignificant, even if he did think himself terrifying looking. Something told him Basil wouldn’t be fazed by his appearance at all; if anything, the mer would probably be curious and ask him many questions about it. He could really go for a good restoration potion right now, anyway.

With his head still held securely in Basil’s grip, he couldn’t nod, but did try. “Handssome vampire make potion, Atrios drink,” he hissed, his voice still tinged with that same all-encompassing drowsiness.

Gently, Basil released Atrios’ head, carefully letting him recline back in the chair and making sure he was comfortable before he left the Atronach. He strode over to his Alchemy lab, taking note that he’d left the calcinator going before he’d passed out. When everything was in order, he started making the potion, trying to do so quickly, but precisely. He wanted it to be as strong as possible. As he worked, he realized how alive he felt. The hot blood seemed to fuel him with limitless energy. He noticed how quickly he was able to work, seeming to be capable of moving faster than he could naturally.

As he prepared the calcinator, stoking it to get it going again, his distraction with the jittery energy coursing through him made him slightly absent-minded and his hand touched the apparatus’ black, hot surface. Realizing instantly what he’d done, he cursed mentally even has he prepared a healing spell, but his mouth fell silent as he noticed no pain. Basil examined his hand, turning it over and finding no traces of a burn, not even a smudge. He glanced over at Atrios who had fallen back asleep and then down at his hand again. The last spell the Flame Atronach had cast upon him wore off a while ago, Basil’s body having already converted the hot, fiery blood into his own ancient blood and thus no longer needing the protection of fire resistance.

Swallowing his instinctual fear, he extended one long finger, touching the side of the tiny kiln. It felt burning hot to be sure, but it wasn’t hurting him. He took a moment to stare at his fingertip in wonder, and then grabbed the calcinator with his entire hand, wrapping his fingers around it. Again, noting how hot it was, but not being even the slightest bit uncomfortable. His mind already began to race, going over this discovery. He knew fire salts, which were harvested from the bodies of Flame Atronachs whose souls had been banished back to Oblivion, added fire resistance to potions, but they required other ingredients to bring out their full potential. It had never occurred to him that their blood would have the same property, only vastly amplified. Indeed, he’d never considered even experimenting with it.

The excitement of the new discovery was pushed firmly away, though. He needed to finish this potion. Preparing and mixing ingredients, Basil worked quickly, with an almost clinical precision to his movements. When the potion was finally completed, he transferred it to a large bottle–he’d made a double batch because of Atrios’ size–and sniffed it, approving of the quality. This was a good one. Clutching the bottle securely, he hurried back over to Atrios and shook him awake again.

Sleep-filled orange eyes regarded him almost mindlessly. He waited for the Atronach to completely wake up, the transition from barely awake to coherent taking slightly less longer than it had the last time. “Big Basil have potion for Atrios?” the sleepy voice asked.

“Yes,” he replied, hefting the large potion bottle proudly. “A double Basil Special, just for you.” He watched in rapt fascination as Atrios nodded, then lifted one heavily taloned hand to his face, sharp claws following the swirling patterns etched into the black surface. In the wake of his clawtips, the carvings seemed to glow bright orange, the color of Atrios’ skin. Once he had traced them all, the dark, angular armor dissolved away, sinking into the Atronach’s face, being absorbed into his skin. Only the very corners remained, two triangular pieces jutting from his cheekbones and adorned with the “earrings” he always wore.

A mental prod entered his mind and he let the intrusion in, hearing Atrios’ mind-voice fill his head. Atrios not talk without massk. No lipss. Basil nodded, trailing the lines of Atrios’ long teeth with his eyes, noticing how fiercely primal and monstrous the Atronach’s face appeared. Yet, despite the terrifying visage, Atrios’ eyes remained the same, still clouded with weariness, but also filled with a calm gentleness. He could now easily see why they hid their faces–to the common person, they would look like mindless beasts.

Wordlessly, Basil helped Atrios lift the large potion bottle to his face–he could feel the Atronach’s hands shaking with the effort and so helped without needing to be asked. Toothy jaws slid open and the Altmer watched in open curiosity, noticing that Atrios had three rows of needle-like teeth, long and sharp. The way the jaws moved and were attached reminded him of a snake, specifically a python, each individual set of teeth independent and free-moving from the others. The long, prehensile tongue that reached out to wrap itself around the neck of the bottle only seemed to make the comparison more accurate.

Once he had the bottle held securely between teeth and his tongue, Atrios tilted his head back, letting the foul-smelling potion pour into his mouth. As soon as it hit his tongue, he could taste the quality of it, even if it was vile, and happily purred as he let the warm liquid slide down his throat in great gulps, already feeling better, the sleepiness soon forgotten. Moments later, he sat back up, releasing the glass container and giving it back to Basil.

Instead of going back to his Alchemy lab as Atrios thought he would, Basil remained by his side, watching him critically and setting the empty bottle down on a small table sitting beside the chair. Atrios fine now, he assured the tall vampire. He could already feel his strength returning, fresh blood pumping through him and giving him renewed vitality. Handssome Basil make good potionss.

Strange emotions flitted through the vampires eyes as Atrios watched him and the Atronach could tell Basil was warring within himself. It suddenly occurred to Atrios that he had no idea what effect his blood would have on a vampire. He already assumed that his blood was no longer in Basil’s system in a way, converted into the ancient, unholy blood of a vampire, but it would still have an effect on him, much as Ra’s had when Basil embraced the huge Dremora. What feeling? he asked gently, tilting his head to the side in his familiar curious gesture.

“Your blood,” Basil replied, still feeling that limitless energy course through him. “It’s.. much like a Dremora’s blood–it may even have the same sunblocking capabilities, but I haven’t tested that yet–but it is also unlike it.” Basil began to pace as he elaborated, Atrios watching him walk back and forth. “I feel..,” he waved his arms, trying to grasp what it was he felt. “I feel like I could do anything. That I must do anything. My entire body is coursing with seemingly boundless energy, but it lacks the raw primal edge that Dremora blood has. Instead, it makes me want to just.. do whatever I like, with no inhibitions. It also makes me feel a bit hyper and spacey; it’s hard to concentrate because I just want to.. run free.” Basil shook his head, trying to clear it.

Ssoundss like Flame Atronach, Atrios replied, still reclining in his chair, far too comfortable to move just yet. Flame Atronachss much energy, wild and free. Iss why sserve Prince by whim or fancy, becausse iss how are. What sself wantss, sself will try get. Ssome more ambitiouss than otherss.. get in trouble, but older get, eassier calm.

Stopping in front of Atrios once again, Basil turned to face the Atronach. “There’s also something else. Your blood.. it’s filled with you.” At Atrios’ curious look, the vampire elaborated, “I think I can understand why you are the way you are. Your blood reflects your emotions and desires. I can feel them: a permeating calmness, careful gentleness, a strong desire to be close to others.”

It seemed that Basil wanted to say more, but Atrios replied before he could, Atrios know big Basil know why iss. He finally took leave of the chair, getting up to stand next to Basil. Placing his heavily taloned hands on golden-skinned shoulders, he could feel how hot the skin was now. Bright eyes looked up at him, yellow but now tinged with a slight orange. Yess?

Basil stared back, his mind churning the thought in overdrive, driven on by the power coursing through his veins and the answer was whispered to him from somewhere deep within that didn’t sound like Atrios, and yet it did. “I know.. I mean, I knew you are the Avatar of the Firestorm because you told me that yourself. but…” Then, he understood, the realization dawning on him. “You don’t need a physical body at all. It only exists to serve your own spirit’s purposes.”

Very ssmart. Yess, Atrios’ body not needed, but iss becausse wantss. Sshaped sso long ago, reflectss Atrios of passt. Iss why sso frightening. But Atrios not fix, alwayss been thiss way, not want different. Part of accepting all sself. Atrios only barely realize thiss recently. He could see Basil’s eyes burning with questions that were all trying to come out at once. Big Basil not undersstand power insside. Atrios try help, but only lasst few dayss, then go away. He gripped the mer’s shoulders tighter, pulling him closer. For sshort time, Basil have ssome Atrios, feelss in veinss. Firestorm whissperss to handssome vampire. Lissten, may have important thingss ssay.

The fanged mouth fell open as Basil tried to say something, but no sound issued forth. Instead, he was overwhelmed with what Atrios had just said. A flooding heat went through him, mind, body and soul, as he felt tongues of ethereal flame lap at him for a split second; the Firestorm showing itself briefly before settling back into just a tickle of fire in the back of his mind. He clutched to the feeling, trying to understand it, his mind racing with questions. Pulling himself back to the present, he shook his head, righting his thoughts.

“Did you know that this would happen?” he asked, trying to fathom why Atrios would have given him this gift, even if it was fleeting.

Cocking his head to the side, Atrios considered the question a moment. He had known, yes, but on a subconscious level. That was how the Firestorm worked. It had many secrets and vast knowledge, but only gave up answers when directly asked, seeing no need to inform anyone of anything. Not exactly, he finally replied. Firestorm knew, sso Atrios knew, but not in mind, Firestorm not keep Atrios from helping handssome Basil, though, sso iss okay with Atrios, iss okay with Firestorm.

One orange hand let go of Basil’s shoulder, moving to touch the side of the vampire’s face and Atrios leaned forward, pressing his unmasked face against the other side of Basil’s head. Taking the man’s scent directly into his mouth, he tasted it, sensing the fire in it. Using the physical contact, Atrios reached into Basil’s mind, seeking out that which was so familiar. Atrios warn big Basil now, Firestorm not alwayss up front with thingss. Knowss many thingss, but musst assk right quesstion have knowledge for sself. He reached into the Firestorm through Basil, feeling the connection it had to the tall vampire, making sure it was safe and wouldn’t harm his friend. As he did so, he felt a shift around him, the connection changing, but Atrios had no idea what exactly had changed about it. Knowing how the Firestorm worked though, he let it pass. If it was for him to know, it would come to him in time. He pulled the mental contact back, only leaving the small telepathic link open.

Alsso, Basil link sstrong enough, touch fire while there. Not harm handssome vampire, let casst fire. Might not need magicka for. Might need little. Bigger sspellss posssible. He finally pulled away from Basil’s face. Big Basil have quesstionss?

“Of course I do!” The exclamation was punctuated by Basil’s face falling into his trademark lopsided grin. “But I’ll save them for later. Right now, the two of us are a disgusting mess,” he said, illustrating his point by touching the drying blood smeared across his face. “I don’t know about you, but I need a bath!” The glint in the tall vampire’s eyes told Atrios he was probably wanting to go in search of more than just a bath.

Looking down at himself, Atrios took note of all the blood covering him. Yess, Atrios agree. Very messsy. He looked back up, making eye contact with Basil. Atrios know handssome Basil needss get ssome.. energy out of ssysstem, too, the Atronach commented slyly, winking.

Laughing, Basil clapped the tall Flame Atronach’s shoulder. “All too true! All this energy is getting me a bit hot, you could say!” He grinned, showing his teeth as he led Atrios towards the study’s door, watching the Atronach pushing on his face to get his mask armor back into place. “You’re welcome to use the room you and Daeinde share when visiting. I will send a slave in a few moments with a tub of hot water for you.”

The two walked over the ruined door and Atrios thanked Basil, “Atrios grateful, needss clean.” He also wanted to give the big Aundae some space and let him explore the new feelings coursing through him on his own, so he would have more solid questions to ask. “Atrios ssee..?”

“Hmm,” Basil pondered, looking down the hall. “It’s probably about dusk, wouldn’t you say?” At Atrios’ nod, he continued, “Then meet me first thing tomorrow morning. I’m going to get someone to fix that door and then we can finally get to work, though Dremora blood isn’t high on my list of priorities right now!” Walking beside Atrios, the tall vampire radiated both confidence and lust, the energy coursing through him making him even more randy than usual. “I think I’m going to have a busy night, at any rate!”

Atrios hissed in mirth, amused. He could smell the pheromones rolling off Basil in waves and the taste of the mer’s scent still lingered in his mouth. The vampire smelled of masculinity and arrogance, underscored with the sharp musk of sexual arousal. With the scents, he could also feel Basil’s desire, the emotions pouring out of him like a dam about to burst. It was also having an effect on Atrios himself, not just through the scents and feelings, but how his friend looked as well: walking with assured superiority, being more flamboyant and excited than usual, not to mention the obvious bulge in the man’s pants. He could also feel the vampire’s lust through his fragile link to the Firestorm, the fire itself amused at the tall man. Perhaps he would see if any of the residents of the mansion would give him some company tonight.

Eyes twinkling, Basil looked over at Atrios, knowing at least partially, what was going through the Atronach’s mind. He could smell it at any rate, and made note to send someone other than a slave with the water. Nodding down the hallway, Basil spoke, “I would see you to your room, but I really must be going. You understand, I hope?”

“Atrios undersstand. Wisshess good night to handssome Basil, ssee in morning.” Leaning forward, he surprised his friend by taking the tall man into a tight embrace, rubbing his face in Basil’s hair. “Atrios happy handssome Basil not hurt,” he purred into the vampire’s ear. He let go just as quickly, taking a respectful step back.

Momentarily startled by the display, Basil pushed away the feeling of dislike, instead remembering the conversation earlier and that this was just how Atrios is. The calm, soothing waves flowing through him from the hot blood moving around his system helped, too. “It would take more than that to really hurt me,” he said, smiling gently. “But I thank you for the concern all the same. Good night, Atrios.”

Surprising Basil again, Atrios bowed politely and respectfully to the tall vampire, then turned, continuing down the hallway. The big Aundae watched him go, shaking his head and heading off as well.

The Daedric construction of Basil’s mansion made the place feel a bit like home and comforted Atrios as he walked down the large hallway towards the private rooms. He let his mind calm and cleared it of thoughts, letting in the emotions and surface thoughts of the other residents. Everyone here seemed happy, even most of the slaves. Basil took good care of his children, thralls and even his slaves, and it showed, the atmosphere of the large mansion mostly happy, if a bit intimidating.

When he finally reached his room, Atrios pushed the door open, taking note that the chamber had been kept in perfect condition even though neither he nor Daeinde had been here in months. He walked over to the large, opulent bed that dominated one corner of the room and thought about setting down, but then remembered that he should really bathe before touching anything.

The slave Basil said he would send had not yet arrived, so Atrios took the quiet moment to retract all of his armor. It would make the washing easier without all the nooks and crannies of the ornate armor in the way. As each piece was banished into his skin, the blood smeared on it was transferred from the armor’s surface to Atrios’ glowing skin. In some places, it left interesting patterns, shaped like the etchings in the surface of the black armor. The only piece he left in place was his mask.

Just as he was removing the teleport amulet hanging around his neck, there was a knock on the door. Atrios straightened up, stretching his back a bit before walking over to the door to answer it. He swung the door open, not really considering his nudity–he had little care nor need for modesty–and was surprised at the face which greeted him. The stocky, female Dremora carrying a large metal tub of steaming hot water was definitely not a slave.

“Atrios greet handssome Ra’ss friend,” he said, inclining his head to Passht. “Pretty Dremora help Atrios insstead of sslave?”

Passht nodded, walking into the room as Atrios stepped out of the way, allowing her entrance. She set the tub of water down on a low stand, then turned to the large Flame Atronach. “He said you got a bit messy.” Her sharp, yellow eyes scanned up and down Atrios’ body, lingering on one part specifically for a few seconds before she made eye contact with him. “I guess he wasn’t kidding!”

“Come on, then,” she said to him, grabbing his arm and dragging him over to the washtub before he could protest. She pulled a soft washcloth out of a nearby cupboard, dunking it in the hot, steaming water before going to work. Her pace was even and deliberate as she scrubbed the dried blood from glowing orange skin, taking specific care where it had hardened into clots and was stubbornly clinging to the skin. Atrios made no attempts to stop her, instead letting himself be bathed as he started to purr.

Once his legs and chest were clean, she wrung the cloth out and rewetted it. The water in the tub was now tinged red. She started washing his stomach, taking the same amount of care as she had everywhere else, but when she reached his abdomen, her strokes became lighter, the patterns they followed teasing. The closer she got to his sex, the more seductive her motions became, until she was stroking his length gently, washing it, but also teasing it.

Atrios’ purrs deepened into growls as he grew hard in the woman’s grip, the roughness of the cloth just seeming to excite him more. He hissed thickly as Passht forwent the pretense of washing and gave up the washcloth, letting it fall to the floor as she brushed her fingers against his growing arousal. Orange, taloned hands reached up to grasp at the Dremora’s hair as she bent down, first licking him, and then taking him inside her mouth.

Whimpering, Atrios fought with his need for the pleasure and hesitation at being with someone he didn’t know very well. In the end, he realized he needed this, much like Daeinde needed a bit of cooling off before having a meeting with Basil. The tall vampire had caught Atrios’ fancy, but he knew the feeling could never be acted upon. With that in mind, he submitted to Passht’s advances, letting her tug him towards the large bed.

Many hours later, Atrios lay snuggled up with Passht, spooning her from behind, his arms wrapped around the Dremora’s body. He was aware that the woman was still awake, but enjoying the closeness and snuggling, submitting to it. In the quiet peacefulness, Atrios let his thoughts turn to the day’s happenings, rubbing his face in Passht’s deep red hair and letting her scent wash over him.

Sometimes, the Firestorm had ways of surprising him. It let him share his blood with Basil, the consequences of which he didn’t fully understand until reaching into the vampire’s mind and seeing it there, tasting the fire in the man’s scent. Of course, now he completely understood how and why it happened, but had not known until then what it meant. Becoming who he was, forming this body and mind had taken away some of that knowledge. He could no longer reach into the maelstrom and pull out anything he wanted. It was the cost for becoming, the cost for creating his soul and this body. A small price to pay for love, really.

Though he could not remember it, he knew that he’d created himself, that the fire was too proud and ambitious, wanting a form to speak for it. At the time, the fire didn’t know the cost of doing such a thing; it was one quality unknown to the Firestorm. Much like the consequences of Inde’s ascension were unknown at the time, the consequences of Atrios’ own “birth” had been unknown. Atrios knew who he was and what he was now, but couldn’t remember becoming, nor could he remember the time after that. It was all swirling orange mists in his mind, sprinkled here and there with little glimpses of memories, but nothing really solid. The only thing he could remember with stark clarity was serving Mehrunes Dagon.

There was something else nagging at him though, a tickle through the Firestorm that he knew was important. The whispers were sometimes more difficult to hear and he strained his mind and soul, trying to understand what it wanted to tell him. The whispers weren’t so much words as they were ideas and images. He caught a brief glance of Basil, surrounded by fire, the flickering light sending dancing shadows over the man’s body. Following the image, the Firestorm plunged him into its link with the vampire and Atrios got a front seat view to the raw pleasure surging through Basil’s mind as he lay with a woman Atrios didn’t recognize.

A shuddering gasp escaped Atrios as the erotic feelings washed over him, his body responding readily to the images and sensations he was receiving. He felt Basil notice his presence and got the sense of a grin through the link as the vampire strengthened it, letting Atrios feel exactly what he felt as he took the woman beneath him with wild thrusts. Groaning in need, the Atronach pulled Passht closer to him and rolling them so she was on her belly, Atrios on top of her. He wasted no time in finding her entry and plunging his throbbing flesh into it, driven by the need coursing through him as he felt Basil’s pleasure.

Not to be outdone, Atrios poured his own enjoyment into Basil as he explored the Dremora under him. Passht’s squeals of delight only seemed to take him further and he felt dizzy with the pleasure coursing through his body and mind. It drove him wild, the feel of Passht writhing beneath him, being allowed to feel Basil’s pleasure, the intense eroticism of the moment overwhelming him. He opened his mind and soul to the Firestorm and to the link Basil shared, pouring everything he was feeling through it, without any thought or inhibitions, letting Basil know more about him than he’d ever had.

It wasn’t like his bond to Daeinde, an all-encompassing need and sharing of soul, but it was strong as Atrios’ being stretched and expanded the link in Basil, the Firestorm driving him along as he pushed ancient energy into the vampire. The act was too much for either of them to take and they both found release with the rush of intensity, taking their partners with them as the pulsing energy drove them to an amazing bliss.

Breathing heavily, Atrios collapsed on Passht, the Dremora letting out a sigh of satisfaction. His mind was still in a daze from what had just happened. While Basil would not lie with a male, he apparently had no qualms about sharing his enjoyment of a woman with one. There wasn’t just that, though. The Firestorm had wanted that to happen and Atrios was at a loss as to why. It could wait, he decided, feeling especially sated and sleepy suddenly. He rolled off Passht and pulled her close, snuggling up to her as he dozed off.