Blood-Drunk and Lovestoned:

Simone’s Notes:

Absolution is a traditional theological term for the forgiveness experienced in the traditional Churches in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Absolution is an integral part of the sacrament of penance and reconciliation. The penitent makes a sacramental confession of all mortal sins to a priest and prays an act of contrition. The priest then assigns a penance and offers absolution in the name of the Trinity, on behalf of the Church:

"God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Before the Second Vatican Council, and still practiced in traditionalist parishes, absolution was given in Latin, followed by another Latin prayer by the priest:

Absolution: "Dominus noster Jesus Christus te absolvat; et ego auctoritate ipsius te absolvo ab omni vinculo excommunicationis (suspensionis) et interdicti in quantum possum et tu indiges. [making the Sign of the Cross:] Deinde, ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen."

Translation: "May our Lord Jesus Christ absolve you; and by His authority I absolve you from every bond of excommunication and interdict, so far as my power allows and your needs require. [making the Sign of the Cross:] Thereupon, I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

Edward had come to learn that he had developed another skill. He not only could hear thoughts, but he could do mind manipulation. The alchemist could wrap his own mind around the victim and insert his own thoughts and actions into their minds. However, he didn’t really have a way to test it out at the moment. The incubi and succubi could hide their thoughts from him just as easily. No, he needed a human for that. But who to test out for this skill? One name popped into his mind. However, there was a little problem.

“No!” Edward thought in desperation. “I just can’t do that to Derdra! It would just be cruel!” But he was just aching to try out his skill. He reached a compromise at last. He would test out his new trick lightly on the young nurse. He was in need for absolution after all. Stacey wouldn’t cut it this time. He needed to go to the goddess herself. And the alchemist knew that exact place to find her.

Edward waited near St. Mary’s Touch around late at night. Derdra had to night shift tonight. Edward decided to wait until most of the people were gone. He looked at the lobby wall clock with his new sharper vision. “Hm, eight o’clock,” the incubus thought patiently to himself. “Only one more hour to go.” Edward waited for most of the people to leave for the night. Time seemed to be dragging slowly for him. The incubus looked up at the sky impatiently. “This is the longest hour in my life!” he thought. Time just kept slowly dragging on. Edward was about to loose hope in tonight.

When nine o’clock hit, most of the staff began to leave. Edward perked up quickly. “Time to move!” he thought. The incubus quickly fell up to the third story window invisibly. He peeked into the window. Derdra was filling out her forms for the night. Edward smiled to himself wickedly. His tender desire for her was already stirring awake. Derdra was his Beatrice in the flesh. There was so much that he wanted to do her. The beast wanted to kiss the angel on the lips. He wanted to hold her in his arms tightly. He wanted to make love to her passionately and tenderly. He wanted… to drink her sweet blood!

Edward shook his head violently. “No!” he thought. “She’s not for feeding. If I turn her, I will be doomed forever.” Derdra just had to stay for his sake. But, he had to get out some of the building stress and frustration in his mind. There was only one way to do that. Edward tapped thickly upon the window. Derdra quickly looked up and turned around. She saw Edward in the window looking in at her. He was smiling at her seductively. The nurse was both afraid and overjoyed. Edward just the monster that she loved but yet feared. She just couldn’t really explain her feelings about him too well.

She noticed that he was pointing at the window latches. Derdra froze up quickly. “He wants me to let him in!” she thought in surprise. The nurse didn’t seem to want to at first. Something was holding her back from doing so. At last, Derdra walked over to the window and opened. Edward smiled wickedly at her again.

“Hey!” he called to her. The nurse looked at him confused.

“What are you doing here?” she asked aloud. The incubus kept smiling at her devilishly.

“I came to see you, my love!” he replied to her.

“Shhh!” Derdra said quickly. “There are other nurses on this floor as well!”

“Ohhh!” Edward said softly. “I see!” Then he lightly stepped into the hospital and shut the window behind him. Derdra lightly backed up so that he could get in. Edward turned back to his beloved nurse and stared at her. Oh, she was so beautiful! Her deep brown eyes looked upon him sweetly. He always saw some fear in her eyes. The alchemist just couldn’t understand it.

“Aw, Derdra!” he said aloud to her. “What’s wrong?” The nurse looked at him confused.

“What do you mean?” she asked. Edward looked at her kindly.

“Why do you fear me so much?” he questioned her child-like. Derdra looked away nervously. Edward lightly took her cheeks in his hands. The nurse looked at him in slight nervous fear.

“I’m afraid of you,” she replied.

“Aw, why?” Edward asked her gently. Derdra shook her head in bitter fear.

“I don’t know!” she whimpered out. “I just don’t know!” Edward immediately felt pity for her. He couldn’t really blame her for how she felt about him. He was a monster with a beautiful face. There had to be some worry ease this angel’s worry away somehow.

“Aw,” Edward said to her again. “I don’t see why you are. I’m not a monster. I would never lay a single finger on you.” Derdra nodded at him, but she still didn’t seem to believe him. Edward smiled at her out of pity. She was just a sweet little angel to him. This nurse was just too good to him. Maybe more than he would ever understand in his life. Well, it was time to “thank” her again.

“Aw, come here,” Edward said to her. Then, he lightly kissed her on the lips. Suddenly, all of the nurse’s fear melted away in an instant. She kissed him back happily. Edward held her close to his body. So far, it was just a harmless kiss. But then, it started up again. Edward’s desire shut up like a cannon. The black and red in his eyes mixed and blended strongly. He suddenly wanted more. He could see the blood flowing heavily through her veins. His fangs grew out almost instantly. The alchemist suddenly wanted to drink her sweet blood for himself. But first, there was something else he wanted to do to her before he drank from her.

Edward quickly pushed the nurse up against the back wall kissing on her. Derdra kissed back eagerly. The alchemist felt her up in a rush. The desire was rushing out of control. Her scent and blood were teasing him so badly. If he didn’t do something fast, the beast would loose his mind in seconds.

Derdra moved her hands to her chest and slowly began unbuttoning her uniform. But before this could go any further, Edward quickly broke off the kiss and grabbed her by the wrist. The nurse looked up at him confused. Edward smiled at her painfully.

“I’m sorry,” he said to her. “But I can’t.” Derdra kept her eyes locked on him.

“What’s wrong?” she asked him mother-like. Edward let go of her and backed up slowly as if she was so breakable. He quietly sat down at her desk so pale. He about did it again. This always happened between them. Every time she and him got closer to each other, Edward tempted to corrupt and taint his beloved angel. That would all be easy to him. He had done it so many times before. It was such an easy thing to do. But he just couldn’t do it to his angelic nurse. To do that, he would trap himself into Hell forever. Edward couldn’t afford that for both of them. No! Derdra had to stay pure for both of their sakes. Edward was going to keep that promise to himself even if it killed him inside. Derdra just looked to him.

“Do you need anything?” she asked out of concern. Edward looked at her with eyes of desperation.

“Some blood would be nice!” he replied weakly Derdra nodded to him in silence.

“Okay…” she said to him. Then the nurse reached over to the doctor’s supply cabinet and drew out her key. She unlocked the door and opened it up. She opened up one of the spare kits and pulled out a scalpel. She held out her left arm and angled the small knife to her flesh.

“Not from your arm!” Edward barked to her just in time. Derdra looked up at him confused. Edward drew in a deep uncomfortable breath.

“I can’t drink your blood,” he said in sorrow. “I’ll end up corrupting you!” Derdra put the scalpel back in the kit and locked the cabinet back. Edward watched her with aching sorrow in his heart and a nauseating hunger in his stomach. The blood hunger was driving him insane. Derdra would have to act fast or he would end up attacking her by instinct. His angel noticed the painful look on him and grew completely worried.

“Well where am I supposed to get the blood?” the nurse asked him in a gentle voice. “From the blood bank.” Edward placed into her head.

“I know!” Derdra said quickly. “I’ll get you a pint from the blood bank!” Derdra rushed out of the office and down the hall. Edward sat in her chair in shock and pain. He had done it! The incubus alchemist had mentally manipulated Derdra into giving him a pint of blood! He just couldn’t believe it. “Oh wow!” he thought amazed. “It really worked!” Derdra returned with the pint in her hands. Edward looked very relived. Derdra hurried over to him with the blood in her hands.

“Here is the blood!” she said to him softly. The alchemist snatched it out her hands and popped open the cap. He drank up in a lighting haste. Derdra just looked at him stunned.

“Okay… you’re welcome… I guess…” she mumbled to him. When he was finished, Edward put the container down on the desk, licked his lips and breathed out. The incubus looked up at the nurse drunk with blood and stoned with her love.

“Oh thank you my angel!” he said aloud to her.

“Shhh!” Derdra whispered to him trying to quiet him down. Edward nodded happily-drunk.

“Oh right! Right!” he agreed softly. The alchemist went quiet and smiled at her like a wasted fool. A moment of silence passed between them. “Does one pint of blood really make him like that?” Derdra thought nervously. *Sweat drop on the nurse’s head*

“So…” she said at last. “Need anything else?” Edward rose to his feet and walked over to one of the dark corners. Derdra watched him do so. The alchemist seemed to be in a debate about something for a short while, but then he sorted it out in his head.

“Another pint of blood would be nice,” he said. Derdra smiled at him uneasily.

“Okay!” she said to him. “I’ll get that for you right away!” Then, the nurse turned to leave for her second trip. “Finish your paperwork first!” Edward yelled at her in her mind. The nurse froze in her tracks at first. Then she returned back to her desk and got back to her night work. Edward smirked as he watched her fill out the rest of her forms. He now had a new tool to use to get what he wanted out of his little pets. But lucky for Derdra, this would be the last time that he would use such a tool on her. The first one was just a test-fluke and the second one was just to keep her out of trouble. “Sorry Dee!” he thought lovingly to her. “But I can’t have you losing your job for my sake, now can I?” The alchemist just quietly snickered to himself in victory. This was going to be fun after all!