-x- Change of a Lifetime...Blessing or a Curse? -x- (Stefan)

[Elizabeth Constance]

Lizzie felt relaxed after the ritual. She loved Serendipity and anyone that knew her, knew that she loved that woman with everything but she had been stolen away from her by Robert. She shook her head at the new freedom and realized that the circle was complete. Serendipity severed from Isabella and Lizzie severed from Serendipity. One whole branch of the Noble line nearly severed with only Dominic and Janoric helping to keep it together. Walking with her head held high, she didn't regret her decision. It was a tough decision but one that needed to be done. Who knew, maybe one day down the road, Serendipity and Lizzie would have back what they had before just not as sire and child. Lizzie didn't think that they would always be apart but right now, that was needed for wounds to heal and understanding to set in.

Stepping out of Honeymead market, she took in the fresh air as spring moved in. It was a lovely evening and instead of going to work, she would probably go shopping or a little stroll. She smiled and as she took in the night air before she made her way towards the transit. It was definitely a night to go spend some money and the mall was looking pretty tempting. As she passed the alley next to the transit station, she furrowed a brow as she heard moans and groans. Tilting her head, she pulled Maggie from her purse, holding her tightly with her finger on the trigger.

Slowly she proceeded down the alley, not sure what she was going to find but as she looked around all she saw was a heap of a person that the moaning was coming from. Pausing as she scanned the area, she noticed that they were truly alone. Putting Maggie back in her purse, she rushed over to the human, her stilettos echoing off the wall and concern was set boldly into her features. Kneeling down next to what seemed to be a man, she reached out and touched his shoulder.

"Oh my Lux!! Are you okay??"

As she tried to help him up, she gasped as she looked at what seemed to be a nightmare. "STEFAN!!!" She hadn't seen him in a couple days and everything was fine then, now here he laid in a pile of himself at the end of the dark alley. They had become close friends when he started volunteering at the gallery, talking about art and upcoming exhibits. He helped her with ideas and became her sound board for venting when her board members and financial advisers would frustrate her or fight over her ideas that involved the gallery. He had been great and supportive even knowing what she was but also knew that she wouldn't hurt him.

She sighed as she made sure he was sitting up and cast her shield over them. "Stefan!! Please tell me that you are okay? What happened?"

[Stefan Franco]

Walking back to work this morning after having a two days off, with not a care in the world. Thinking to myself, that was a relaxing weekend, I got to be lazy and kick back watching my favorate shows. Slowly walking to the bus stop to go back to work, it is cold outside but it feels good to be out of the house. I get to go back to the job I enjoy and see a friend whom I enjoy spending time with. Sighing to my as I thought. Lizzie.... she is amazing, knowing what she is and who she is. She truely is unique. She is so friendly and warm to people. She goes out of her way to help people. She will see a homeless person in the street and she will give them the change she has in her pockets, a few kind words and a smile. I don't know if she really has any idea about how much warmth that smile brings to people. The best part is that she trusts me, she can come to me to vent on and knows what ever she tells me would never be spoken to another person again. Shaking my head at the thought. I had made a comment in the past asking her if she would ever turn me. She was adamant that it would never happen, she cared about people and would never turn someone who had a choice. Shaking my head again. I will be happy just being her friend.

Looking around before crossing the street, I see my bus drive off as I just missed it. "Well ****...." I have a bit longer of a walk this time. I start walking faster and running across the street, I take some side alleys to cut my time down. I am making good time but I am a bit winded now and instead of hurrying through alleyways, I just walk normal. I got a damn stich in the side from running and being out shape for this. You know that funny feeling you get when something is wrong....I got that feeling. Like a guy though...we think we handle anything and everything. I turned down this next alley, it is dark and nobody in there right mind would go down it. I will though, snickering to myself. I am almost there.

I start walking through this alley with my head held high, puffing my chest out to look bigger and badder, like a tom turkey would when he felt threatened or the hens were flirting about. I decided that I needed to pick up the pace. I am getting that feeling to core...I have screwed up. I look behind me, there is someone following me. He is a big son-of-*****. I mumbled to myself. "Oh ****..." I turn back around and start walking faster... I hear his footsteps increase. 'OH ****', I thought as I bolt down the alley. I look back again and he was gaining ground and as I turn to look in front of me again, I see the board swing out in front of me. I watched it in slow motion but unable to move. That board hit me right in the chest, knocking me off my feet and the wind right from my lungs. I roll over to get to my hands and knees, I turn my head to look up, I see three guys around me. I try to scream out for help... but I still can't get the air back in my lungs. I can hear one of them speaking to me, but I can't understand what he is saying, all I can hear clearly is my heart beating in my ears. Next thing I feel is a kick to my chest then to my face. Two of men pick me up and hold me against the building and the third guy starts alternating punches with my face then my kidneys. As I feel another blow to my face I hear the guy cry out that he broke his hand. I look up at him and grin. "Hurts like hell doesn't it!" I laughed as that guy looked at me and said, "You ********, I will show you what hurts like hell." He kicked me right between the legs. Doubling over in pain, they pick me up and slam my head against the wall. I felt myself slowly losing consciousness. I felt my leg get broken and then a blade slash across my chest. I can hear them laughing as one of them said "Take this pretty boy..." and shoved a blade into my gut. I can remember falling to the ground as they ran off then everything went dark.


Hearing a familiar voice call out to me. "Hey Lizzie." I smile while looking at my friend. "I am okay... you should see the other guys. I think I broke one of their hands with my face." Coughs up some blood before talking again. "I took a short cut... well turned out it got me cut up pretty good." Coughing up more blood, and having a hard time focusing on her. "Lizzie, thank you for finding me.....thank you for being here for my last remaining time. There is no other person I would want to spend my time with." Gasping, trying to get some more air in my lungs. "I thought I had more time, I thought....maybe.... someday things could have been different for us. I have cared about you secretly. I have respected you and admired you. I have cherished working by your side and talking with you at work. Thank you for being here with me now."

[Elizabeth Constance]

Carefully, Lizzie combed her fingers through his hair as she listened to him. Her eyes meeting his, searching carefully but sighed as the light slowly faded from existence. He spoke words that made her believe that he was alright but he was clearly forgetting that she was a telepath and could use her abilities to check up on him. Seeing all of the wounds, reading his memories that were still showing the vivid account of the attack, she knew that there was only two options....

Let him die or let him die but so that he could live.

She was torn. Lizzie had promised that she wouldn't turn anyone that had a choice. They had to be critical and with no option but death and here was one of her best friends, laying in a heap with no hope. Looking around her, he had lost a lot of blood and laid before her. Frowning as his eyes closed, she looked him over quickly to find the best open wound as she didn't want to cause him more pain than what he was in with her not having any fangs. Leaning forward, she wrapped her lips around the stab wound at his gut and began to pull the remaining blood from his system. Once she was finished, she looked around and found a broken piece of glass. Grabbing the piece of glass quickly, she sliced open her wrist and placed it to his lips. As her blood flowed into his mouth, filling it to the best of her ability while tipping his head back so that it would slide down his throat. Biting her lower lip, she kept them in this position for what seemed like hours though only minutes to ensure that he had enough. She needed to get him to safety.

Lizzie rarely if ever used her powers and the wraiths had granted her the ability to teleport but had never done so. In her frustration, she thought how Robert would teleport them around all the time but didn't have a clue as to how. The thought of Robert made her seethe but she moved that focus to Stefan. She thought of the safe havens that she had that Robert didn't know about. Places that she could take Stefan too that would leave them undisturbed until he healed...if she didn't fail and killed him. The crypt came into her thoughts, heavy and clear while her arms wrapped around him. Sighing as she closed her eyes and rested her head against his, that twisting feeling filled her as it always did when Robert would teleport her and the ground gave way. Once she felt the ground beneath her again and her head stopped spinning, she slowly opened her eyes and looked around. She was just outside the graveyard. Shock filled her with a slight twinge of joy. Picking him up, she quickly carried him to her crypt.

Locking the door behind her, using claim abode on everyone that she could think of as that had become a well practiced power. Stefan was going to be safe. Moving him over to her bed, she laid him down and waited. She wasn't sure how long it would take and if it would even succeed. When she was younger, she had those black out sirings when she would suddenly have childer but they never made it. All fell to the shadows and wasted away. She didn't even know what to do but she had plenty of blood packs in the fridge given that was the only way she could feed.

Lizzie had phased out all that he had said about dying and having feelings for her even though she listened, it was his health that she had been more worried about but now that she had a moment to her thoughts, she stopped and turned with a tilted head as she looked at the man upon her bed. He had feelings for her and he had never said anything. Granted he did say secretly but still...she was a telepath and should have known but...not a clue. She sat in the chair next to the bed and waited. There was nothing she could do until he woke up.

[Stefan Franco]

Stefan started to toss then turn. He laid there moaning, the images in his mind the voices and sound ring in his ears. He could feel a burning in his body that he could not describe. What is wrong with me? He thought to himself. I was dieing.....Lizzie....she was there, she held me. I had confessed how I felt about her. I told her all my thoughts. My head.... it hurts.... so much noise... my throat it is burning and dry. What is going on with me? Why am I not dead......? Stefan struggle to force his eyes open. As he opens his eyes and they began to adjust, he struggled, trying to figure out where he is was... He saw Lizzie sitting beside him looking at him. She was right there beside him again but in a different location. He knew he could always count on her to be there for him in his darkest hour.

Lizzie is it really you? *throat still dry and burning* Where am I? What happened to me? Last thing I remember is being in your arms in the Alley. I was dieing as you held me. Stefan tried to get up onto his feet now like a newborn calf for the first time. He was shaky. I feel so weak, and my throat hurts. It feels like it is burning. He puts his hands to his head trying to cover his ears. What is going on with me? He takes a moment to look around the room and taking in his surroundings it. He then focuses on Lizzie, he looks in to her eyes. Did you turn me? Is that why I am not dead? Am I going to be okay?? Fear running wild in him. What is going to happen to me now? Stefan focus on Lizzie now, the questions in his head running into over drive. There were literally so many he could barely think now. I thought you would never turn me. Why did you change your mind about me?

[Elizabeth Constance]

As Stefan began to toss and turn, Lizzie leaned forward as she frowned. She wasn't sure which path the fates would grant Stefan but she knew that it wouldn't be an easy adjustment. Reaching out, she placed a soft hand upon his arm as she began to hum lightly, praying to Lux that he would be okay. It took everything she had for her to not slip into his mind and see what was causing him to toss the way he was but she couldn't deny that she was both curious and concerned. Concerned that she screwed up somewhere in turning him and curious because she had never witnessed a turning before. If she was a scientist then she would be willing to invade and pick him apart, to study him but she wasn't and she would never want to harm him.

Sitting up straight as he opened his eyes and looked around. She curled up in the chair to give him, his space but was ready to move if something went wrong. Tilting her head as she looked at him, she nodded to his question. "Yes, it is me. How do you feel?" As more questions came, she realized that she had never answered them before and wasn't sure how to answer them without traumatizing him. She thought carefully over each question that was presented. "Well...you are at one of my many homes. This is one that Robert does not know about. I bought a couple after our break up since he co-owns all the others. I needed a place to go to try and get back to myself like he wanted. That was a waste though..."

She shook the thought from her mind as he began to stand up and stumbled. In an instant, she was on her feet and at his side. Without a single thought, she inspired him to help give him a little bit of strength to help him adjust. "You were dying, Stefan. I could not let you die, not like that. You deserved better and well..." She sighed as she held him steady and his question caused her concern but as he continued, he answered the question himself. "Yes, I turned you and technically you are dead but not at the same time."

She bit her lip hard as she moved him to the other room to the couch. He was going to need to feed. Setting him down, she walked over to the fridge and pulled out a few blood packs. Walking back over to him, she shrugged and sat down next to him with a frown. Lizzie held the blood packs in her lap as she looked up at him before she shook her head. "Honestly...you are in the turning process. I do not know what happens, you are my first that has succeeded." She placed a soft hand upon his cheek and smiled. "I did not want to turn you but I was not going to let you have that kind of death. Sadly...you will not get a proper death now either. You are just one of the many that fade away in this city." She passed him the first blood bag.

"Here, I am sure you are hungry. Depending on which path the Fates granted you...you are most likely not able to eat food or have a drink other than solid blood. Only Allurists can eat and drink though since I can talk to you with an overwhelming feel to run away but remain completely frozen...you are not an allurist. Are you mad that I turned you?"

[Stefan Franco]

So many thoughts ran though Stefans mind. She turned him.... fear shot through him from the very core of his being. 'I am still in the turning process', he thought to himself. "I am the first to have survived the turning? Could something still go wrong, you said I am in the turning process still. Lizzie...I want to keep my humanity. I like being around people, I like to help others. I am not going to lose it am I?"

Looking down at the blood packs, the burning in his throat intensified as he looked at it packets of blood. Feeling the flames in his throat, burn hotter as he looked back at Lizzie. "I don't want to hurt people for blood. I don't want to lose who I am and ......" He shook his head and cupped his hands over his ears to block out the sound. "What is wrong with my head? So many images...so much noise in my ears...in my head." Stefan looked at Lizzie and did his best to focus on her.

"I want you to know I am deeply grateful for you turning me. It shows me that you really took a chance on me. It couldn't have been an easy thing to do, having failed with the other attempts and how you feel about life. I will do my best to prove myself worthy of that trust. I hope I am strong enough to handle this new life. I hope you will be continue to be there and teach me."

He looks back down at the blood pack in his hands and feels the burning thirst in his throat again. Taking his index finger and feels across the bottom of his top teeth, not feeling any fangs, he perked a brow as he glaced up at Lizzie. "Ummm Lizzie....I hate to sound so dence but do you just drink it like water, I don't have fangs and if we drink it like water would a cup not work?" He grinned at her.

Looking around the crypt again, "How long have you had this place? You said this is your place...one that Robert does not know about. Last I heard you were still hoping to get together, has something changed? By keeping someplace nobody knows about makes me think I have some things to be worried about? Or am I just reading to much into this? How are the others going to feel about me being turned? You mentioned that I am not an Allurist. What other possiblitys could I be? How long before I learn what I am to become?"

[Elizabeth Constance]

As question after question was presented to her, Lizzie began to realize that she didn't honestly have a clue how to answer them. She took her time to think over each question, each word to be able to answer him effectively and gently so that she wouldn't scare him more than he already seemed to be. Folding her hand politely in her lap as she sat there listening, a small smile slipped upon her lips as she shook her head.

"You can still keep as much of your humanity that you allow yourself. Most give into the beast within when they are turned and become a terror to this city but there are some of us that live as we might have as humans only with added abilities. Our abilities do not have to be used against others in terrible and bad ways but they can be used to help , which is what I do. That is a choice that you make and no one can take your choice from you. Your only choice that was stolen here was whether you lived or died and I am sorry for that."

When he turned to the blood packs, she smiled a little more that he was finally aware that he was hungry as all newly turned vampires were but when he paused and looked at her, her smile faded. His hands came up over his ears as if it was suddenly too loud in the crypt when there was no one around and the only sound was them. Tilting her head she watched for a minute only for her eyes to grow wide as he spoke of images and voices, questioning what was wrong with his head. Instantly she knew what path the Fates had granted him as he was speaking on the very thing that only seemed to get quiet when she was with Robert. He was a telepath. She had mindblocked herself before on accident but the peace and sudden silence that had followed was a complete joy. Reaching out with her mind as he looked up at her, she mindblocked Stefan, blocking out all of the noise so he could try and adjust without the invasion for a few hours.

"There...that should help for a little bit. In two hours time, I can mindblock you again when the voices return if they are too much. I have been dealing with them for three years and even I feel that I need a break from them. Though it is safe to say that you are a telepath. That is something I can help with as that is what I am."

He seemed to be so strong, at least to her anyway. Talking about how grateful he was and he understood the difficult decision that she made, it made her chuckle just a bit. Nodding her head she smiled, she took hold of his hand for just a moment and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"I have no intentions of going anywhere. I made this choice and commitment. If you wanted me out of your life and to do this on your own, I would simple tell you the basics. Tell you the do's and don't's and then send you on your merry little way. Though since you want me here, then there is nothing to worry about. I will not let you flounder about helplessly."

She stood up from her spot on the couch and began to tidy up a bit even though her house looked spotless. She had always been a neat freak and while she left him to feed off of the blood bags, Lizzie was casually moving things about until she was satisfied. As Stefan's voice floated across the room, she paused. His words didn't sit well with her and she turned back to look at him for a moment before going to retrieve a glass from the kitchenette. Slowly she walked back over to him, handing him the glass.

"You do not have any fangs? I do not understand, I do not think that is something I would pass along but if I did...I am so sorry. I have not had fangs for sometime. They never grew back...." She paused and thought it over carefully and then smiled. "Actually...this is a good thing. One...you wanted to keep to your humanity, you can this way. Yes, you are still drinking blood to survive but you do not have to actually drink from the tap. Two...because of this, you will never be caught feeding. You can always feed off blood packs and remain safe from those that hunt us."

As another slew of questions came her way, she chuckled as she was now sure that this was going to be a night that she would sit and just talk with her friend until she had no choice to sleep. Changing out of her corset and pencil skirt was looking all the more appealing. Lizzie planned to be completely honest with him and her and Stefan hardly kept secrets from the other.

"I have had this place since about September or October. It was that last huge vacation that I took where I was gone for a while, after Robert and I originally split up. Actually since you are a vampire now...I was killed and sent to the Realm of Shadows. I have died several times but death is not the same to vampires as it is for humans. You are sent to this other realm until such a time that you are able to break free but only here in Harper Rock. If we were to go to Rome or Greece or New York City even...if we die there by some terrible and unfortunate event, we do not have the option of coming back. We just die. As for things to worry about...there is always a danger. You have to worry about Paladins and you have to worry about Tytonidae. Both groups hunt vampires. Paladins are humans so they have to find us in the crowd first. Tytonidae is vampire and they use abilities, magic, and ghosts to find us...they are more of a threat in my opinion but as long as you keep your nose clean, you have nothing to worry about...at least with them."

She chuckled at his final question, the voices had his attention so he might not have heard her. Lizzie reached over and tapped her index finger against his forehead. "Those voices and images that you were complaining about earlier before I mindblocked you...those are new and those will be constant. You are a telepath which means you are connected to everything with your mind. You can use a computer without even sitting at it, talk to others with your mind even if they have to reply back with their cell phones, overwhelm them, etc. It can be tough being a telepath but it is neat too. We do not get a lot of abilities to defend ourselves with but there are many that are highly useful."