The following story was written by FeatherHunter and is an original, save a few characters created by outside influences. Do not post on this thread if you are not the thread owner (Original Poster/OP). Two other threads have been created in reference to this thread. One is a sign-up thread, the other a feedback and discussion. The Sound of Blood: Feedback and Discussion The Sound of Blood: Sign Ups The Sound of Blood Prologue Aladré, Saradovis Every painting tells a story. Whether it be a story of pain, or a story of love. The citizens of Saradovis watched their television sets with anticipation, awaiting the State of the Union speech. Suddenly, with a static filled pop, the screens flickered to life. “The following presentation is coming to you live from Aladré, the capital of one of the most influential and pulchritudinous empires in the world, Saradovis.” Chancellor Rose exclaimed. “Let's give our full attention to the illustrious AyotoDré of Saradovis, E'mon!” As AyotoDré E'mon went through the formalities of addressing the empire, one household was going through something, too. The birth of a child. “Push, darling, PUSH!” The woman's mother said. “You have to push, Robyn!” And when she had given her last push, the child finally came forth, and breathed her first breath on her own. But she didn't cry. Just simply laid her head on her mother's leg, and slowly began to close her eyes, giving a huge yawn. While the baby girl was sleeping, it was also cleaned. Afterwards, the baby was gently woken up, and promptly breast-fed. This whole process took about thirty minutes. After that, everyone turned to the television, but found that the program was on commercial. “What are we going to name her?” Robyn asked, looking towards her husband, who was on the computer. “Averell?” “What? Uh-- name her Violet. Did you see the sun today? It was a purple color!” Averell replied, getting up from the computer. “Robyn, I have such exciting news! We discovered oil today in Orabelis Vinus, and they're going to announce it in the State of the Union speech tonight!” “Darling, the speech has already began, and I agree, the sun was beautiful... Intoxicating, even. Hello, Violet, my name is Robyn, but you can call me mom.” Violet looked up, smiled, and once again slept. “With the recent discovery of oil in Orabelis Vinus, investors world-wide are encouraged to invest all their money into the newly forming oil giant, Arkham Oil.” AyotoDré E'mon said, looking directly at the camera. “That'll be all for tonight. Thank you for watching.”
---------- Chapter One: Flowers Violet --------- Another boring day in Biology, I thought, walking into the Biology classroom. It was going to be quite the contrary. Instead of Mr. Hall being there, some new guy was there instead, claiming to be the new teacher and that he would introduce us to Sex Education Course Three. Of course, since he was totally hot, all the girls immediately fell over themselves exposing cleavage. All the guys assumed we were gonna watch porno. Typical behavior during Sexual Education. I always remained complacent during Sex Ed. It just seems kinda boring to me. What's in it for me? “My name is Dimitri, but all the males are to refer to me as Mr. Adulcé.” Dimitri then turned on me with the speed of a cheetah and the grace of a dove, seemingly gliding towards me. “And your name is?” Dimitri brought his gaze startlingly close, tilting his forehead down, millimeters from mine. “Violet...” I whispered, watching him put his fingers to my lips, gently shushing me. “Violet... A beautiful name. Females are like flowers. They must be given your utmost attention. They must be nourished, given water, sunlight, and proper soil. Their environment must be exceptional for each plants specific needs, and must match those needs in synchronicity with the things they must have. There is a difference between have, want, and need.” Dimitri paused for a second, looking around the room. A strange expression crossed his face, one quickly replaced with recognition. “Did I forget to tell all the guys to be taking notes? Well, I'll write the first portion of this lesson on the board shortly before the end of class. I'm sorry to sort of pounce on you like this. Generally, I'd introduce myself and my interests and hobbies and all that good chiz, but I decided we should get a head start. I want to live up to Mr. Hall's legacy.” In an effort to emulate my blank and passive expression, Dimitri sat beside me and whispered, “How am I doing so far?” I whispered back, “Stellar.” I secretly felt thrilled. He'd been so close to me... It was like my world had crumbled and he'd rebuilt it, only we were together in the new world, instead of me being alone. “Are we ready to proceed?” He asked the rest of the class. Everyone murmured assent, and we jumped into wants, needs, and must haves. “A must have is something you must have to survive. It's crucial. A plant without water is as good as dead. A need is something close to a must have, but not the same. If you put a plant in the wrong type if soil, chances are it will survive, just not look as better as if in proper soil. A want is extraneous.” Dimitri once again turned to me. “Violet is a rose. The soft red hair. The pale white skin. Every feature on her body is balanced between red and white, like a red and white rose. It's remarkable... Truly extraordinary. I've never seen anything so... Alluring.” My heart rate began to increase rapidly, everything about him becoming much sharper. His muscles, restrained by his tight shirt, crying out to me to rip the shirt to shreds and expose his sexy abs, along with those beautiful biceps and triceps. His scent, Playboy Miami cologne, laced over Dove soap. My dad wore Miami Playboy... When he was still in Saradovis. Everyone knows the scent of Dove. Every detail about him, slowly pulling me under his spell. I was falling in love so quickly. I had to snap out of it! “Her heart rate is increasing. Pheromones are beginning to lace the air around her.” He slowly twirled a lock of my hair. “They're scanning for my testosterone and reentering her body, creating something known as attraction. Her breathing is becoming shallow and fast.” I ripped his hand away from my hair. I could feel anger and shock radiating off him. “You're kinda interrupting the Sex Ed lesson I'm trying to teach.” Dimitri whispered. “I can't do this. You're making me feel like a specimen, not a student.” I calmly replied. I gathered my things, and walked out of the classroom, a pit of lust, love, anger, and confusion in both my heart and stomach.
---------- Chapter One, Part Two: Intertwined Violet ---------- My hair had been turning white from fear. Fear so real, even my eyes were turning white. I'd been having constant nightmares ever since we'd entered Rome. While my mother dealt with the environment and stuff back home, I was traveling with my father to meet the theocratic leader of the Cathylocs, the Pope... I forgot what number he is but he's important. Anyway, my nightmares had begun in Rome. Each nightmare had a different death for me. Each one was more horrendous than the next. I'd have to crawl into bed with my father every night, waves of calm and security radiating off his body as he would wrap me in his arms... Today happened to be the anniversary. As I was being ensnared by Dimitri in what could only be described as love and lust, I was having to try and keep my facade up. My wall, the one I'd built so that I wouldn't get hurt again. So the nightmares wouldn't come back. I surveyed the room, the white tiled floor pressed against my cheek. It was soothing, having everything be so normal here in the girl’s bathroom, while in reality my life was so far from the norm. No girls were in here, thank God. I'd made sure to lock the door, too. I couldn't let anyone see me like this... So vulnerable... So delicate... Like a flower. Oh, crap! I'm beginning to think like him! The sterile, white cinderblock walls did well in terms of sound, my sobs reverberating off the walls perfectly. I was so afraid. I'd never had anyone look at me like that before... Never had anyone touch me the way he did... Was the universe playing some sort of cruel joke on me by making the anniversary of the day the nightmares began the day I met Dimitri, or was it trying to tell me something else? Something sinister, perhaps, or something wonderful? Suddenly, I began to sing, my voice resonating throughout the entire bathroom. I gathered my journals, ready to head back to Dimitri's classroom. Turn down the lights, Turn down the bed, Turn down these voices, Inside my head. Lay down with me, Tell me no lies, Just hold me close, Don't patronize, Don't patronize. 'Cause I can't make you love me If you don't You can't make your heart feel Something it won't Here in the dark In this final hour I will lay down my heart And feel the power if you want No you won't I'll close my eyes Then I won't see The love you don't feel When you're holding me Mornin' will come And I'll do what's right Just give me till then To give up this fight And I will give up this fight 'Cause I can't make you love me If you don't You can't make your heart feel Somethin it won't Here in the dark In these final hours I will lay down my heart And feel the power if you want No you won't 'Cause I can't make you love me No If you don't Say you ain't gotta love You ain't gotta love You ain't gotta love it I can't just make you love me I can't I can't I can't I can't I tried my best, But you put my heart through the test, I can't make you love me. I tried... I tried to get through to you baby, Can't you see that I'm crying out to you boy, I can't make you love me, OH, If you don't. I hadn't sung in years. I don't even know where that came from. But as I walked into the classroom, going to my seat, I saw that not only was Dimitri crying, but that he was also sitting in my seat and writing me an apology letter. My grandmother and I used to sing together before she died... Once she did die, I stopped singing. Maybe this was an omen? I felt rejuvenated, like my grandmother was still alive, like she was singing with me. I began whisper-singing the song from the beginning, the entire classes' attention now on me. I felt them mentally urging me to sing louder and as I hit the climax, I heard Dimitri begin to sing the song, too. Dimitri and I harmonized on the last verse, sitting side by side as we began to go back into the lesson.
---------- Chapter Two: Public Intimacy Violet ---------- Italy looked at me from across the top of the piano, his gaze non-judging, gentle, and full of enjoyment. Italy is the best musician in the school. A thin serpent tattoo bulged on his left arm with every movement of that arm. He got up from the piano, a microphone in his hand as he approached me quickly, his head bending towards mine. He towered above me at a height of 6 foot 3. His voice was deep, but melodic. We stared into each other’s eyes, his the color of amber, like brown eyes in direct sunlight, but they were permanently that way. My eyes, the color of a tropical ocean, shifting between green and blue, stared back at his. Such a stark contrast... I ran my hand up his right arm, feeling the muscle underneath, the smooth expanse of skin. The smoothness of his lips on mine, pulling me to him, all singing having stopped, replaced by a sigh of pleasure. I closed my eyes, watching him do the same as I sank into the warmth of his body. Then just as quickly, I pushed him off me, placing my hands on his chest to keep him at bay. I could feel the defined torso underneath his shirt, and regretted my decision to push him away. Ever since Dimitri had pointed out my beauty in Sex Ed last week, other guys had really taken notice of me, and several of those had taken interest in me. I'd always considered Italy to be a close friend — never anything more. “Violet, I —” He began, putting a hand on my waist, gazing at me with those divine eyes. I promptly removed it, a look of pain crossing his face and what? Longing? Love in those eyes? He tried again, “Violet, we've known each other for such a long time! I thought you would enjoy this... You're the only girl I've ever met that has liked me not because of musical talent, but because of me. I know you felt it when we kissed.” “Don't let me down.” He pleaded with me, grasping my hands from where they were placed on his chest and placing them on either side of his face, holding them there. I thought about all those times that we'd sing together, his voice celestial, versatile, and sexy. The way he immersed himself into a song — no, not the song, but in me. I ran my hands through his curly hair, blonde at the root, but later going brown, the black, and back to blonde at the tip. Every strand of hair on his head was this way, and I and every other girl in the school thought it was gorgeous. I knew I should've said something, but instead I kissed him, letting my lips communicate the message I needed him to hear. We were like that for a few more minutes, making out, until I felt him — Dimitri. Italy always made me feel calm, relaxed, and free, but also tingly. His gaze penetrated the soul, and his it was those feelings that could always alert me to his presence. Dimitri on the other hand, was the complete opposite. He made me feel liberated, like I could be myself around him, but not like Italy did. He made me feel excited and hyper. Those particular feelings let me know when he was around. “Sorry to intrude, Justin. I was interested in hearing some of this amazing music I kept hearing about.” said Dimitri, “Seems like you're busy, though.” I was absolutely flustered. I felt a little ashamed at having been caught kissing Italy. It felt was even more awkward for Dimitri to have been the one to catch me, too. Hearing him call Italy by his real name? It was unorthodox. No one had called him that since Lemonjello began calling him that in third grade. I know it looks like Lemonjello on paper, but you're supposed to pronunciate it Lamongello when you say it aloud. He's another story, though. “My apologies, Mr. Adulcé, but you'll have to come back another time.” Italy gave him a look that said “I dare you to stay.” I was surprised, but also turned on. No one ever challenged Dimitri. “Very well,” Dimitri replied smoothly, although I could tell he was seething underneath the surface. “I'll be back tomorrow.” He gave me a look of loathing, and walked out of the school auditorium. “How about we get back to these private lessons?” Italy said mischievously, kissing me over and over again.