Torpor is oblivion.
It is not sleep.
I do not dream. I do not doze. I do not breathe. Once, I believed Torpor was my body temporarily returning to its natural state. That of a corpse.
Now, I am not so sure.
The exposure of my hidden Bloodline was causing me to doubt my understanding of what I was.
There's a brief moment between Torpor and waking, when my mind fumbles to pull itself together. As I woke for the first time with an awakened Bloodline, I was surprised to find myself surrounded by softness.
A plush darkness which was warm and comforting.
Opening my eyes, I could see nothing. I was laying on my side, which was odd. I never woke on my side. I always woke flat on my back.
And I could smell something familiar and sweet despite a feeling of being muffled. Pressed between two magnificent-
"Breasts," I gasped, flailing in sudden panic. Was I being attacked?
Molly let out a squeak as she was shoved off. Her expression one of shock and hurt as she was sent flying off my bed to sprawl on the ground. She was wearing only a pair of frilly yellow panties.
I could see my name on them.
"Master?" Vela, lifting herself groggily from behind me, rubbed at her eyes. She, too, wore only panties. Her breasts were very round and seemed to defy gravity. Had she had them enchanted? "What's going on?"
Two of them!
In my bed!
"Renfields," I hissed, flinging myself off the bed and jabbing a finger at Vela's drowsy face. "Explain yourselves!"
"You were screaming, Master," she said, pulling the sheets up to cover her bare breasts. "When you stopped, we came inside and found you in Torpor."
"You were covered in black goo," Molly whimpered from behind me.
"We cleaned it off," Vela said.
"And then put you to bed," Molly finished. "You were really heavy, Master. And we felt tired after it."
I scowled, looking from Vela to Molly. Both were trying not to look at me.
Blinking, I looked down.
I was naked.
"Three thousand," I mumbled, just loud enough for myself. These words helped me stand a little straighter. It was an awkward awakening, but they'd had my best interests at heart.
"We're sorry, master," Vela said, lowering her eyes.
"No," I sighed, putting a hand to my forehead. "I apologise. Again, you show your care of me, and I was ignorant of the effort. You should know that waking from Torpor is an abrupt moment. It takes time for my mind to recover. In that time, I can lash out if someone is close. My body perceives it as a threat. Be… careful."
"I think I smooshed my boobs," Molly complained, holding them in her hands. She pouted as she lifted them a little in front of me. "Master, do they still look okay?"
"Tch," Hina hissed from the shadows. I almost jumped. I hadn't seen her there. "With all the fat, I don't think anything could damage them."
"Really? Molly gave her a bright smile, jiggling them in her hands. "It's a good thing they're so very big, then. Isn't it, Master?"
"I don't think this is the time for any of that," Vela said, dragging the sheet off the bed with her as she got to her feet. "Master, is there anything you require?"
I pulled my gaze from Molly's breasts. "I will inform you shortly," I said. "For now, I would like to get dressed?"
"Of course," Vela said, giving a bow which was hindered a little by the sheet she clutched around her body. Not that the sheet in any way covered her cleavage.
Hina trotted out from the shadows and handed me a stack of clothing. "I selected these for you, Master. Please let me know if your require assistance."
"Thank you," I said, trying not to be sarcastic. "I think I will manage."
As they hustled out the door, Molly paused and looked back at me.
"Master? May I ask a question?"
"What is it?"
"When you woke up, before you pushed me away… Were my boobs soft and pillowy?"
Hina yanked Molly by the hair, dragging her out and kicking the door shut behind her.
I stood there, staring at the floor where Molly had landed after I'd pushed her off. Her question hovered in my brain. Such an inappropriate question for a servant to ask.
What kind of world was this?
The memory of her breasts seemed to press at my cheeks like a warm ghost.
Shaking my head, I couldn't stop the smile from forming. A genuine smile.
How confounding.
I lay my clothes out on the bed and paused to check my Corporeal Body. Pressing my hand to my chest, I closed my eyes and delved with my awareness.
The wound in my heart seemed to have healed.
My Coagulum was pushing blood through the gateway. Blood I knew was being wasted, but I didn't want my Meridians to be damaged any further.
The surprising thing, though, was my Bloodline.
The Bloodline's vein, which had been thinner than a hair, was now twice as thick. The channels spreading through my body had similarly grown.
And the little chamber which had been less than the size of a grain of rice was now the size of a cherry.
This had caused the blood to flow much smoother.
I was also a lot less skeletal than yesterday.
The only thing stopping me from feeling satisfied with the change, was the fact my stomach was almost empty. I would need to feed again soon.
Nightly feeding was a bother.
I could feed from my Renfields, but this would leave them weak and there was a possibility in my current state that I might drink too deeply.
There was a possibility I could drink from Hina. As a ghoul, she would recover faster. And the likelihood of killing her was low.
I pursed my lips and decided that would be a last resort.
Seeing the little book of Renfields' last words on my table beside my bed, I picked it up. Thumbing it open, I read one of the entries.
Like most of the others, it was written in warm pink ink.
Master. For thirty years I dreamed of your kiss. I have dedicated my life to your resurrection. I bought all the panties. If I die tonight, I would like you to know I have no regrets. I would die a thousand times for you. I know it would be impossible to remember all our names. But if you could think of me for even a little while, it would make my soul happy. Yours Forever, Keri Somerski. XXX.
"Keri," I murmured, sighing heavily as I dressed.
Today, I would remember her name.
As I buttoned up the black silk shirt, I half-turned towards the door. "Hina?"
I didn't need to raise my voice. The door opened immediately.
"Yes, Master?"
"I would like a supply of candles, please." I pointed to a position in front of the window, where I thought the view was special. "And a small table placed there."
"Yes, Master. What colour would you like them to be?"
"Colour?" I glanced at the book, letting myself smile again. "Pink will be fine."
"Pink?" She nodded. "I'll get them for you."
"Thank you." Then, before she could leave; "Later, we'll discuss your changes. I'm sure have questions."
"I've written them down."
"Have you told the others?"
"Not yet." She glanced over her shoulder. "I'm not sure how they will react. Molly might be jealous."
"Jealous?" I chuckled, remembering those plush breasts. "Yes, I'm sure she will be. Leave it to me. I am formally requesting you to keep it a secret from them. I will reveal it to them for you."
She gave a tight little bow, but I could see she was relieved. "Thank you, Master. I… I am grateful."
The door closed quietly behind her as she left, and I approached the window to peer out at the sea of lights which seemed to spread into the horizon. It amazed me how a city could sprawl to this size.
I watched the ceaseless flow of lights from cars. They were like the blood travelling the city's veins, I thought with a smile.
Surrounding buildings were lit from within. Some looked to be offices, but many were apartments where people were eating and living their lives. Unaware of the monster gazing at them.
So many mortals.
So much blood.
At least it wouldn't be a struggle to feed.
Shaking my maudlin thoughts away, I looked up as I heard a soft knock on the door.
"Enter."
Vela poked her head in rather than coming inside. I wondered if she knew what it was like to be a servant. Did any of them?
"Master," she said, sounding both worried and confused at the same time. She twisted her long blonde hair around one of her fingers. A nervous habit. "You, umm, have a visitor…"