Professor James Henry Blackstone (illusionfun) wrote in zionmystiqueic, @ 2019-11-01 23:19:00 |
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Entry tags: | !backstory, !thread, eva, james |
Who: Professor Blackstone & Eva Alta Valdez
When: Flashback - last year (Part One)
Where: The illusionist's tent.
What: Meeting for the first time.
Rating/Warnings: Mature (adult situations)
Status: Complete and Closed
With a soft sigh the sorcerer's gaze drifted up to the faintly glowing arcane runes etched into the interior fabric of his tent. From the outside the place looked to be rundown and likely far from the magical wonder-filled exhibit that so many paid to check out. Yet despite it being late in the dead of night, and already in the chilly end of Fall too, warmth and sunlight radiated from inside. Oh it was all an illusion to be sure; a trick of his used to fool the senses of all who came inside his tent. Still here and now such silly quibbles of reality versus illusory fictions meant nothing at all.
If anything the professor was content to sit there on the sandy beach. Soaking up the radiating warmth of the false sun supposedly high up above, and relaxing with the sound of the waves crashing gingerly against the fake shoreline. This little slice of beachfront heaven seemed to go on as far as the untrained eye could see. Yet James' focus was less on the distraction of the little coastal getaway...and more firmly fixed on recharging the wards of power he had long ago etched all over the tent's interior. Sure, if anyone knew the joys of losing themselves to a false reality it was Blackstone to be sure. Hell his wife had been dead for over two decades now, but that didn't stop the illusionist from regularly seeing and conversing with her. However, despite his penchant for growing wrapped up in his own magic, James was a consummate professional when it came to carnival business.
So as Professor Blackstone quietly muttered the arcane words of power beneath his breath, and let the energy flow from him to be stored up in the magical tent once more, he barely noticed the arrival of an unfamiliar face. "Hrm? Did you need something of me?" That gaze of his never wavered, never moved from the all but now invisible tent wall where the mark was resting. Even as he spoke up and addressed his unexpected guest, the sorcerer continued to also keep his concentration on the task at hand. Not even thinking that any who entered might be a tad shocked to find themselves stepping onto a sunny beach. “This tent is closed for the evening, but shall be open to the public Monday afternoon. So feel free to return then to enjoy the show.” With a rune etched cane in his hand James slowly drew a few strange patterns into the sand before him. Marking out the next part of his spell, all while his muttered chanting so quietly fell from his lips...and that power flowed through the air, causing the tent’s glyphs to practically hum in response. The illusions he used within the tent would normally have been a pain to channel, yet the professor had long since figured that it was far easier to simply let an object hold his spells for him. Sure doing so with the tent; especially when the magic was constantly being used during his performances, meant that James had to periodically recharge the woven spells. Still it was a far cry easier to do, when compared to trying to reproduce the same effects by working his power on the minds of every single person who stepped into the tent. By creating the illusory world within the tent itself, and letting that power flow through the physical structure as the point of focus, it made his work so much easier. Now though, when it came time to recharge the damn wards for yet another time, it took much of his attention.
--
Her ‘cousin’ and her had joined up with Miss Lola and her girls, Eva (or Angel as the boys knew her) added an exotic element to the show. It was fortunate that she didn’t mind showing off her body. She’d been on her way back to her wagon from the show, her bra and parties covered-ish by a thin robe, when she noticed light coming from a tent that wasn’t the normal kind of light the place put off. Not that the electricity in the middle of nowhere with no obvious source wasn’t strange enough.
As she poked her head through the tent opening she found herself wide eyed. For a moment she pulled back in fear at the sunlight she saw. But, it wasn’t. Slowly she entered the scene, it was strange as it felt like she was standing on sand but not on sand. The waves could be heard but she didn’t feel any sea mist. The sun shown but she didn’t burn. It actually took her a moment to realize that she was being spoken to as she closed her eyes to feel the warmth of the sun and hear the waves.
It was funny, the illusion was good, but with her eyes closed it was almost like she could tell it was false, where if she opened them she couldn’t. So she let her head tilt back a bit as she looked up to the ‘sky’, long brown hair falling around her shoulders.
“Oh… sorry.” She said, looked from the blue to the man in black. “I didn’t mean to… I was intrigued. Could not help but see- another place.” She laughed lightly, her accent thick but her English was practically perfect so unless she was upset (which got her talking fast) she was pretty easy to understand.
—
For a man openly wielding magic, the professor hadn’t been concerned at all that his work might be intruded upon by an outsider. Of course more than a few of the carnival folk had made use of his tent at one point or another. Not just because it was easy to clean up a party or meeting that took place inside an empty location. But also because the illusionist could make the interior quite literally look like anything/any place he desired. The beach was merely a simple backdrop to have running while he was charging up the runes. A way for him to spot if there was any fluctuations or problems with the magic that permeated every inch of the tent, and the space inside it too. Plus had she been a real outsider, and one who would freak out at the display...well it wasn’t much of a challenge to explain things away to the authorities. Not when Blackstone could bend reality to his desire within this place of his. A few fooled senses, a little trickery too, and all would be right with the world again. Hell he was the one who was typically summoned when it came time to cleanup an accidental murder site when one of the feedings went too far.
So all that apparent nonchalance about her arrival wasn’t rooted in arrogance or rudeness by any means. The professor merely had no qualms with folks wandering in, even if he preferred being left to work in peace and quiet. However when the apology was offered up, in a voice he didn’t recognize, James finally spared a brief glance back in Eva’s direction after his work on the last rune was complete. For a second that gaze of his was devoid of any trace of emotion, beyond the faintest flicker of confusion in Blackstone’s eyes as he looked her over carefully. In truth a part of him earnestly wondered if the girl was merely a figment he had accidentally created. After all his grip on reality was tenuous at best most of the time. An occupational hazard for one who shaped the senses and altered perceptions. Honestly the notion that he had somehow manifested the young woman wasn’t entirely daft; not for a man who created the beach out of thin air.
Still as she laughed aloud the professor found himself smiling ever so slightly. A faint blush touching his cheeks at the sight of her immodest clothing was seen for a second, yet with a mere wave of his cane in her direction Eva found herself wearing an elegant dress. Oh, she was still in her robe and undergarments to be sure, yet the senses would feel/see the fabric and weight of the gown. Along with its warmth and softness too. With the relative state of undress seemingly handled James finally stood up from where he had been sitting. Even dusting off the fake sand for a second too, before the man spoke up anew. His own accent was...strange. To the untrained ear Blackstone’s accent always seemed to almost perfectly mirror the accent of whoever he spoke with. Yet to any with enhanced senses, it was possible to pick up on the fact that even his perceived accent was merely another trick of his trade. “I see. Well intrigues and wonders are my specialty, so there is no need to apologize at all. I am Professor James Henry Blackstone, though most here tend to just call me Professor. And...I presume you aren’t a creation of mine? I do apologize for having to ask, but it’s not always easy for me to separate what is real from the figments I conjure.”
Even as he posed the question, of her being real, James sighed as he ran his fingers through his uncombed hair. The man’s clothing was stylish but a tad unkempt, and it wasn’t hard to see that the sorcerer was disheveled and a bit too thin. Blackstone did eat, when he remembered to do so. Yet it had been ages since he really paid much mind to his present state.
--
Amusement at the dress she found herself in. A man of style, she noted. “I don’t know.” She said with a playful smile, careful to not smile too wide that her fangs showed. “Maybe I like the idea of being someone’s dream. Would your imagination create someone like me?” Her eyes glanced down to her new outfit. “In what I was wearing before?”
She watched him, slowly moved toward him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Professor Blackstone.” She said, allowing her accent to thicken around his name.
—
The young woman’s response drew out a look of slight embarrassment mixed with earnest confusion. Both because the professor had no real idea how to honestly answer her query. Nor did he know how to handle her almost flirtatious demeanor. For the better part of two decades now James had mostly been on his own. Oh he’d share the occasional cup of tea, or something a tad stronger, with the Kristoph. Perhaps even converse with a few of the other carnival folk as well during meal times. However more often than not Blackstone was a self isolated man. Left to his own devices, and lost amid the world of illusions and figments that he wove.
So when she offered no real answer at all, he had no real clue what to make of the exchange. Instead of shying away from her questions though James finally offered a little shrug of his shoulders, before speaking up at last. “I’m afraid I cannot completely rule out the possibility. After all I always did have an eye for beauty, and who wouldn’t desire to be surrounded by it whenever possible?” Even as he posed his own question the sorcerer’s cane rose up for a second, only to be lowered back to the ground as the tip of it tapped thrice on the floor.
In the blink of an eye waves of energy rippled and swirled around them both; and where there was once a warm sandy beach and the bright sun above...now the two found themselves standing in a field of impossibly beautiful glowing flowers. With the heavens dancing high up above in the sky as if to welcome Eva to the magical realm. The warm summer breeze drifted across the whole field, despite the real weather outside being chilly, caressing flowers and her flesh alike. All while the scent of honeysuckle and exotic flora filled the air too. “So I suppose it is possible. Still regardless of your origin, it is a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss.” He knew not her name, yet it didn’t seem to matter to James. Instead he merely offered a slight but polite bow before smiling again and turning his gaze up to the star filled sky above. “Some use paint and canvas, others clay or charcoal, but my imagination is all I need to breathe life into breathtaking things.” With a soft chuckle the sorcerer raised his cane up to point to the heavens, and with a few faintly uttered words beneath his breath the sky lit up with thousands of shooting stars dancing about so high above.
--
Her eyes seemed to sparkle as the scenes played out before her. Eva was definitely impressed. Her introduction to the supernatural world had been abrupt and bloody, it was nice to see another side of it. “Definitely take my breath away.” She said, if she actually needed to breath. Breathing was more reflexive than anything, having had to do it when she was alive and then to blend in with humans. “I’ve never actually met a magic man like yourself before.”
Eva drew closer to him, her eyes finally moving from the illusions to the man himself. Tricky man, using his shiny spectacles to hide himself. He was thin, a bit disheveled, older. Bags under his eyes said he hand slept well. “I feel bad. I don’t have a nickel on me. Perhaps there’s something else I can do for you to pay you for your show.” She said, reaching out to touch his arm as she wondered what he needed.
—
While the professor was usually a man more reserved and withdrawn, he took pleasure in seeing that sparkle in Eva’s eyes as she admired his art. Of course that hint of a blush returned when the young woman called him a magic man, yet a good natured chuckle fell from James’ lips as he offered a little shake of his head. “Oh this is all...well it’s magic to be sure, but merely a simple trick compared to what else I can muster.” Even as he spoke up there was no trace that he was bragging at all. If anything the professor was merely being earnest. When it came to magic, well using the tent as his spell focus was damn near child’s play to the more advanced spells and tricks he had worked on over the years. “My real talent is in crafting potions and trinkets. This..” For a second Blackstone paused to gesture all around, before chiming in anew. “This is merely a way to earn some coin, to further fund my research.”
When she drew closer that pulse of his quickened a tad. Still unsure of if she was real or not, though truthfully the sorcerer was leaning to her being a figment since...well a exotic beauty like her, just showing up in her undergarments and robe out of the blue...it seemed more likely that he had accidentally created Eva while working on the wards of the tent. However despite it all, despite thinking her merely a conjured illusion from his mind, the professor had no issue freely conversing with her at all. If anything he favored the company of his illusions over the company of real people.
Granted when she touched his arm and spoke up anew, it gave the illusionist pause once more. “There’s no need to feel bad at all, since I was glad for the company. As far as payment though, well I have no real need for coin or anything else at the moment. Just a smile, and to see you enjoying yourself, is payment enough my dear.” Oh his body had warmed at her touch, and that heart of his thundered a bit louder within his chest when she was standing so close. Still, ever the gentleman, Blackstone had no clue how to respond to her slightly subtle offer.
--
Thankful for his sleeve that he had yet to feel the cold of her skin, she could hear his pulse speed up, the blood flow quicken. “Well aren’t you the gentleman.” Eva moves around him, trailing her fingers over his arm, up and across his shoulder to his other arm. “So, you’re a man who makes things? Potions… trinkets, you must have very skilled hands.” Her fingers trailed down and brushed over his hand, skin cool to the touch.
He was lonely. She’d seen enough lonely men to read it in his eyes. Maybe. That’s what he needed, companionship. Sometimes a man just needed the company of a woman, especially those who play in made up spaces- she supposed.
—
It was hard to think, to focus and process her words, as his thoughts grew mired in the feel of her touch. Still sensations were the professor’s domain and so when Eva posed the question about him making things James offered a little nod before speaking up once more. “I do. Potions and concoctions of all different types. Plus delightful devices and objects that folks pay a fair price for. The favorites, beyond the love potions and whatnot, are things like my windchimes or the silks I imbue with a touch of my power.” Oh they were silly trinkets to be sure; chimes that sounded like falling rain, or the silk handkerchiefs that always seemed to smell of something sweet or aromatic.
The feel of her cool skin against his own hand drew that gaze of his down to her slender fingers. Yet instead of realizing that Eva was a vampire there and then...well he simply assumed her lack of physical warmth to be just a missing detail in an otherwise flawless illusion. So before saying another word Blackstone paused to gently take hold of her hand in his own, bringing it up to his lips. With a tiny kiss offered to the back of her hand real warmth spread across her normally cool body. Oh even that sensation wasn’t real at all, yet it felt real enough. From head to toe that warmth spread, until the sorcerer seemed content that he had made the needed adjustments. With a nod of his head he let go of her, still blushing at the remark about him likely having skilled hands. “I...am not sure what to say to that.”
Trying to avoid blushing further James continued on, turning the subject of the conversation towards the newfound warmth of her skin. “That’s better. Apologies, Miss. I tend to overlook the little details from time to time. Especially when my focus is on something else like recharging the wards here.” James should have felt silly, and did a little bit, for conversing with what he thought was an illusion. Yet he had been conversing with figments for the last two decades now, and honestly it was the norm for one so lost in his own little world. No, what he felt the silliest about was how...well a gentleman would never openly admit to being aroused in front of another, yet there was no denying that his heart hammered away a bit faster in her presence. Perhaps it had been too long, since he had been in the company of others. But it was hard to...to open up to others anymore. Not when drawing close to another would only lead to more pain and loss.
--
Her hand moved to her mouth, as a small laugh of realization crossed her. Eva had just realized he thought her an illusion. It was almost too perfect, and made it clear to her just how broken of a man he was. Knowingly conversing with something he thought he’d made up. “Well, you can’t let them fail, now can you?” While she had no idea what they did, she could make educated assumptions. Her hand reached up to his face, fingers running along the edge of his ruffled hair as if lovingly putting it back in place. “Splitting your focus, it’s expected that you could miss something. Especially… when your thoughts wander.” Oh, she was tempted to entice him, push a bit of passion, lust onto him- but from the looks of him, the sound of his heartbeat… it wasn’t needed. Which was probably a good thing because she was still learning how to control it.
There were other ways to twine someone around you- and the idea of being his fantasy was too much to pass up. Eva placed a hand on his chest as she finally moved close. He’d ‘corrected’ her body heat, a feeling she’d not felt in a long while, so she wasn’t as concerned about him jumping at her undead touch. “It makes me wonder… what has your brilliant mind wandering about to bring me here?”
--
For one genuine moment the professor nearly got lost in offering up quite the detailed account of just how the warding on the tent actually worked. After all he often conversed with illusions; sometimes simply because he needed an ear to bounce ideas off of, or other times because Blackstone just desired to have a spot of company...without needing to mingle with the ‘real’ people beyond his tent or wagon. So here and now, when Eva brought up not letting the rune fail, James eagerly nodded in complete agreement. “Quite right! I mean, it wouldn’t be too terribly hard to rework the spell bindings that I’ve laid in place, yet it would take time and energy. Both of which could be better spent on researching new magic spells.”
Before he could properly start in on an impromptu lecture about the merits of weaving spells into objects, versus merely using a spell without a focus, there she was. Drawing closer, ruffling his hair and lingering in his personal space. That hand resting on his chest had Blackstone standing a tad straighter, yet instead of pulling away from her touch the man merely studied her carefully for a moment. Honestly trying to come up with an answer to the question she had raised. Of course his face flushed with a dark shade of red, and that breath of his quickened right along with his pulse. Yet after taking a moment to try and regain his composure James managed to speak up softly once more.
“I dare say it’s...it has been quite a while since I savored the company of a beautiful companion such as yourself. Perhaps, I, well perhaps my mind wandered a little while I was pouring my energy into the rune work.” Truthfully he hadn’t thought himself the sort to conjure a deliciously breathtaking creature like her; yet the professor could admit that he had been so very stressed and exhausted of late. That, coupled with the energy it took to recharge the tent’s power...well it was possible that she had been manifested by his subconscious. “I’d apologize once again for having been so absent minded, yet I fear that has become my normal state of late. Still, I am grateful for the company and distraction you’ve provided, my dear. Three straight hours of seemingly endless chanting and concentration can take a toll.”
--
She smiled softly- again, careful not to let her fangs show- at his compliment. “Well, I do like to be savored.” Eva laughed lightly. Perhaps forward, but if she’d been around men enough she knew their minds were just as bad, even if they wouldn’t say it aloud. And if she was a figment of his mind, then why not say what he’s not saying? Her hand moved to his hip as she closed the distance, appearing to intend to lean up to kiss his cheek. However, instead she found herself grazing his- attraction to her. She let out a small gasp and clasped her hands before her chest- as a proper woman might do. The look in her eyes, on the other hand, was not one of repulsion or innocence or wonder. It was a look of knowing, because of course she knew what was going on. She could hear his pulse racing- racing. She was young still (for a vampire) and the noise of him was almost overwhelming. But she’d sworn to abide by the rules. No feeding from carnies (unless given permission). No killing the townies. No feeding on site (unless permitted by a carny). But, there was nothing in the rules about giving humans what they needed and making them one of her special pets.
The more time she spent in his fantasy world, the more she realized he needed something more than just a relief from physical tension. He needed- to use his word- companionship. Something more wholesome, a connection… unlike the men who’d pay a fiver for a go around. Her expression softened as Eva reached for his hand. “I’m here, for you. Let me be your distraction.” She placed his hand on her shoulder, at the collar of the dress she’d magicked on her.
--
Guilt was a strange thing to feel here and now, yet James Henry Blackstone felt a decent dose of it mixed in with the growing desire, exhaustion, and wonder. Honestly the guilt stemmed from a feeling that he was somehow being unfaithful to his wife, but even thinking about it made him feel odd since the professor knew that his wife had been dead for twenty-three years. The other bit of guilt grew from the conflict between what a part of him longed for, and that other side of him too...the side that was a gentleman that couldn’t imagine taking advantage of a woman. Even if she wasn’t real.
Granted, the sudden feel of her leg grazing against his hidden shame drew out a soft breathless sound. Akin to a whimper/mewl noise that so faintly fell from his lips at the unintended contact. Oh how wide with terror his eyes grew when Eva suddenly gasped and pulled away, yet before he could offer up an apology...and flee in shame too...there she was speaking up again. Drawing closer to him, while moving his hand to rest on her shoulder too. Those words of hers cut through that mixture of guilt and bewilderment, leaving James merely stunned by this odd turn of fate. Still the offer to be his distraction gave Blackstone pause for a moment. That gaze of his seeking her own out; studying her expression and growing lost in the depth of her eyes as he froze for a moment.
“I...a proper gentleman would thank you for the offer, yet could never bring themselves to act on any desires felt. No matter how much one longed to do so. Does that make me less of a gentleman then, for even harboring such thoughts to begin with? After all, if you sprang from my mind…” It was hard to sort through the complicated mess of feelings just then. A distraction, even one offered by a figment, sounded quite alluring. However, if that was merely the exhaustion and loneliness talking, James feared that indulging would lead him tumbling even further down the rabbit hole. Not that he placed much stock in ‘proper sanity’ these days.
--
“Is that what I did?” She asked as her lips pulled in slightly to be wetted by her tounge. “Sprang from your mind?” Eva looked at the hand still on her shoulder and tilted her head at him. “Maybe I’m just what you need in this moment.” One hand moved to brush over his cheek adoringly while the other looped around one of the buttons on his trousers. “Even the properest of gentlemen have desires. It doesn’t make them any less to act on them- especially in the privacy of their own space.” Her eyes looked up to the skies. “Perhaps a bedroom would be more appropriate?”
Eva had come a long way from the simple village girl she’d been. Even in such a short time, her outlook on the world had changed a bit and she’d had to be creative to get in- and out of situations. Her sire had been a good teacher, and if anything she felt more free- more her true self now than she did before. It’s what made her want to help the human before her.
--
For the briefest of moments the professor’s heart all but skipped a beat when Eva drew so very close once more. Between her sultry words and the sudden feeling of her slender fingers on the button of his trousers, James felt so very light headed. Sure this evening had most assuredly taken a turn for the strange. Not in a bad way by any means, but it was clearly a deviation from the plan he had originally had in mind when Blackstone began his work just a few hours ago. To say this unexpected turn was bad, well the thought hadn’t crossed his mind. If anything he merely felt conflicted. At least he had felt that way right up until her honeyed words and questions managed to pull the sorcerer out of his own thoughts and into the moment.
There was no denying that her words rang true. Of course it was also very possible that desire was skewing his judgement as well. However when Eva asked about a bedroom his gaze drifted up to the heavens for a moment...before Blackstone finally chuckled warmly. “A bedroom...right. I suppose that would be a tad more comfortable than a field of flowers.” Thrice more that cane of his tapped on the ground, and again waves of energy and magic washed across them both. This time the surroundings changed and took the shape of a royal bedroom suite fit for real nobility. Oh the ornate gold cherubs that adorned the bed frame might have been a tad much. Yet in his defense James was struggling to keep his focus on anything other than her. Already those fingers of his caressed her neck, and traced up along her ear as well. And with a heated look her dress seemingly vanished too. Replaced with her robe and undergarments that Eva had started out with.
“If this place doesn’t work I am sure I can come up with something that does tickle your fancy, my dear.”
--
“I want, whatever will make you comfortable.” She looked over his shoulder at the bed. “If you want to be a king, or a lord… Then I will call you highness.” Eva turned her face into his palm and kissed it before moving in to place a gentle kiss on his lips. “Let me care for you.” She said, taking his hand and turning him so she could lead him to the bed.
Her undergarments weren’t the normal a woman would wear, but ones that were designed to be revealing and simple to remove (which she did in during the show- well the top at least). Definitely less layers than normal. She shrugged off her robe as they walked, letting it fall to the floor. As they reached the bed, she gently began removing his clothes. As his shoulder exposed she placed a kiss on it, her lips still warm from his perspective thanks to his illusion. Carefully she moved to his trousers, undoing the buttons as she shed the fabric from him. Eva guided James back onto the bed and knelt down to remove his shoes before standing before him.
Her silver lined bra and panties found their way to the ground and she moved to sit next to him, one leg resting over his as she pulled him into a gentle kiss. Her fingers slipped into his hair and she slowly pulled him back with her as she laid down on the bed, moving farther on it.
--
Titles and the prospect of being called king or lord never truly held any appeal for Blackstone at all. Oh perhaps in his youth, back when he was in school and reading works of fiction like Camelot or the like. Yet beyond such times the sorcerer was quite comfortable to be himself. So when Eva offered to call him your highness, James chuckled warmly for a second before shaking his head. “James will do just fine, my dear. I am no nobleman or royal.” The offer to care for him though; along with the soft caress of her lips against his own, certainly did manage to peak his interest...even as she also managed to draw forth another soft whimper.
It had been far too long since the professor had gotten close to anyone on this level. The last person he had kissed had been his dearly departed wife. So to find himself in bed with another woman took some getting used to. Granted it didn’t hurt that she was true to her word, and was one hell of a delicious distraction. Those fingertips of his grazed across her bare form so lightly exploring every inch of his latest creation. All while marveling at how exquisite Eva’s supple form was beneath his hands and even his lips. When both were bare at last, and she pulled him down atop her, there was no rush nor sense of haste. If anything the sorcerer, despite his elevated pulse and quickened breaths, seemed content to savor the unexpected moment.
“I dare say you are one of my finest pieces of work. Such a beautiful creature...easily rivaling the heavens that I created before.” Just the warmth of her flesh, the soft silky feel of her skin as his mouth moved to envelop her nipple and breast while James gently cupped her other in his hand. All of it was so very sweet indeed.
--
Oh she’d let him keep his delusion for now, believing that he created her. He needed it in that moment. Yes, she was sure he needed real companionship as well, but it was clear that he never let himself go- even with a fantasy. Eva took in a breath at the feel of his lips, keeping the illusion of her humanity. “Maravilloso.” She looked down at him, fingers twining into his hair.
“James.” Eva said softly. She had a first name. She kept things gentle as she laid there, not over acting being over the top like some men needed. He needed soft, gentle, intimate, closeness. Not some wild and crazy evening. He needed a release and someone to touch, hold. Oh, she could be that for him. Show him that she was the one who could be there for him. Have him come back. It wasn’t love she was after as much as loyalty, dependency. Like a dog. Eva knew it couldn’t happen overnight, but this was a good start.
“You’re okay.” She assured him, her legs opening for him as an invitation.
—
When it came to dealing with fantasies Professor Blackstone no novice. The man spent most of his life delving deep into arcane secrets, honing his craft and mastering the creation of illusions. Reality really did bend to his desire when he worked his spells, and the sorcerer made a living weaving together the strange and wondrous all for the entertainment of others. Oh even James wasn’t above losing himself in the fictions that he created. After all the man had grown used to altering his senses on a daily basis. Sometimes merely to mask the smells of the carnival, or to drown out the noise of the crowds. Other times the professor would earnestly allow himself to get lost within that tent as well; wrapped up in impossibly beautiful landscapes or in the act of bringing new figments to life.
This though, the act of sharing real intimacy with an illusion...it was a definite first for the man. Like a starving man being offered a feast though, he gave in to that need for connection and closeness. Gave in and savored it all, without fearing that it would all end in torment and pain again. After all she wasn’t real, so losing her was impossible to begin with. Some small voice in the back of his head tried to point out that he had never actually seen her before tonight, yet after a lifetime of breathing life into his imagination Blackstone shrugged off the thought. Telling himself that she had been right, that he must have conjured her because he needed her. Needed this all, in this moment.
Even her words of encouragement and comfort only aided James in his efforts. That spoken permission easing away whatever remained of his lingering doubts, and with a moan the sorcerer found himself sinking within her embrace. Every inch of his need slowly easing deep within that warmth, until his whole frame trembled in exaltation.
--
Being undead she was unable to make herself wet- though most men didn’t seem to realize she should be. It also tended to make her feel tighter. Eva gasped, it didn’t hurt, it felt good. Her senses were still very aware and could be overwhelming at times. “Oh James.” She hummed as she brushed her hand under his chin, coaxing him to her lips.
The act of sex, love making, fucking, whatever you wanted to call it had never been something she coveted. It was a tool. Sure, maybe when she was still the innocent young woman looking for love she would have felt differently. But once she learned how her body could be used to manipulate, she lost the fairy tale. Instead, it was a way to make money, pay for things, and- at times- fix someone who was broken.
Her lips pressed against his, hand caressing his cheek as she rocked her hips slightly permissibly. Her breathing gasped and came heavy despite not being required, causing her bosom heave.
—
While the warmth of her flesh was artificial his magic worked wonders, even fooling James himself as he grew lost in the fantasy of it all. Yet for a moment he paused, stilling himself deep within her as Blackstone found the sensation to be missing something. Oh the thought that she was a vampire hadn’t crossed his mind. If anything the sorcerer merely figured he had missed another little detail when it came to her creation. So after puzzling it out James’ hand slipped down between them both...fingers so faintly brushing across her clit as he poured a touch of power into her body. Letting them both feel her arousal now growing inside coating every inch of his before those hips began to move in earnest once more.
For Blackstone the act of love making wasn’t something he had partaken of in over twenty years. So to find himself in the throes of passion now, left him lost amidst waves of pleasure and bliss. It took a little while for his timidity to slip away, but soon enough those passionate touches and kisses were offered up so freely. Even as his own chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, the sorcerer did his best to offer up all that he could. Lips crashing heatedly against her own. Those hands of his massaging and trace across her lovely form. Nails raking so gently along her thighs while his mouth sought purchase on her breast anew.
This carnal moment had caught the professor by surprise, like a tornado that snuck up on an unsuspecting bystander. Still here and now, as a soft chorus of moans fell against her skin from his lips, Blackstone gladly lost himself in her, and in the fantasy they were sharing together.
--
For a moment her fangs revealed themselves as she rested her head back in a soft moan as he just continued to create an illusion around her- making her more human. She knew it wasn’t real, but it felt as much so… in that moment it was- right? Thankfully, he wasn’t looking at her face and she quickly regained herself and watched those pointy weapons of hers.
It was good, it felt good. Almost as if she could feel the passion he was showing her- and it was all him, she’d not used her vampire gifts to influence him- just her body. She almost felt proud, that she’d gotten him to let himself go. “Oh..” she gasped as he continued to lose himself. “Yes.”
—
Winded and well spent his form shifted slowly to rest there beside her on the bed and silk sheets. A hand resting across Eva’s waist, fingers so faintly tracing little patterns against her skin even as he pulled her close to rest her back against his chest. It had been far too long since he had felt this good, and for the first time in ages Blackstone felt a desire to sleep. One brought on by joyful physical exertion, compared to the normal exhaustion that plagued him when the sorcerer failed to sleep for days on end.
Here and now he lingered in the moment. Content to remain lost in the fantasy, despite reality just waiting there beyond the tent. Soft lips and his warm breath brushed across the young woman’s neck as at last the professor so quietly spoke aloud. “What name should be give to one as amazing as you, my dear?”
--
The name she’d been given for the stage was ‘Angel’, but it felt too on the nose in the situation she was in. So she decided to be truthful. “Eva.” She said softly, her fingers tracing along his arm as he held her. “You can call me Eva.” She turned her head to glance back at him. “My magic man.” She could see the sleep coming. His pulse had started to slow. Eva couldn’t help but wonder how long the illusion would last for once he slept. Would they find themselves on the floor? No… most likely the wooden stage- if the tent had any set up like the others.
—
Sleep called to James; like a siren luring a sailor to the rocks, yet this time around he made no effort to fight the urge to rest his eyes. Even as his heart and breath slowed, and the professor’s body held her close, Eva’s name was heard being sleepily uttered with delight. “Eva’s a pretty name, and suits you well...and I find myself earnestly glad to have been your magic man too.” For too long he had been on his own, cut off from others with only figments to keep him company. Oh she was a figment as far as he knew, yet still it was nice to converse and find companionship with Eva too. Even nicer to fall asleep with another in his arms after two decades of sleeping alone.
When the illusionist finally faded into a dreamless peaceful sleep that landscape of his didn’t suddenly fade away. Had he been a bit more alert, and not nearly so distracted, Blackstone likely would’ve headed back to his own wagon instead of crashing there. Mostly because the illusion he wove of the ornate bedroom wouldn’t fade at all. Sure it’d keep going even without his focus. But the energy he had spent the last few hours pouring into the runes would likely be depleted. Still such a thing was a small price to pay, and one he’d pay gladly too, for finally having a bit of respite and release after all this time.
--
Once he was out, Eva carefully slipped out from his arms and covered him with his jacket- not trusting the illusion to stay. She dressed- well what she had- and took up her robe before leaving. Oh her ‘cousin’ would have questions as to where she was, but she did not regret it. She sort of enjoyed being a fantasy. And the poor pet really did need her.