(Flashback) By the Candlelight (Darren)

[Growl]

Summer 74, 509 AV Holly had woken up bright and early in order to meet a new client. She was walking silently through her work room, lighting a few light brown candles, as well as some white ones. Grouping them in bunches of three and littering them about the walls of the room. The candlelight flickered alongside the wall, casting the place in a pale orange glow, as several tendrils of thin grey smoke floated up towards the ceiling before fading away into thin air; giving off the scent of not only that, but vanilla and cinnamon as well. The Vantha's eyes sparkled a deep purple as she finished lighting all the candles in the room. Now where could that new client have gotten to? Holly wondered, as she peered out the window at a blanket of white, and the golden-colored sun rising slowly but steadily in the light blue, cloudless sky. Hopefully he didn't get lost. Or scared off at the last moment... it always seems like the new clients get cold feet for some reason, which is kind of silly considering they're only coming to be massaged. There was a slight pause, and a massage is supposed to be relaxing, not something that causes anxiety. Holly sighed, perhaps there was something she was missing.

[Darren]

Sigh* Feelings of insecurity and hesitation seemed to plague Darren's mind this morning, especially with how he left things last time with Holly and now he was bold enough to set up an appointment with the girl. How can I say something so dramatic? His outburst would have probably been a bit more effective if he didn't live in the same hold as the other Whitevine. After two weeks of sneaking around and otherwise avoiding the problem Darren felt it was time to tackle the Holly issue. So there he was, hiding out of view from the masseuse as he sat near the nearby bend. Finally after enough pep talks to himself and disapproving stares at the Vantha huddled on the ground Darren finally made his way to Holly's work room. Stimulating smells greeted him as he slowly peeked inside. "Hey Holly" Catching her after having a small debate Darren invited himself inside as he slowly made his way to her. Trying to display an air of competence Darren took a small look around before he would continue. "Remember me? I was that guy that erm... talked alot." Trying a keep the situation from being too awkward he gave his usual easy smile as waited for her reaction.

[Growl]

As soon as the sound of Darren's voice reached her ears, Holly turned to face him. "Well hello," she greeted him, her voice soft. She fell silent for a moment before stepping towards him, the fabric of her long, deep blue dress swishing behind her as she came closer, making almost no sound. "Would you like to come in and close the door behind you?" she asked, as she stopped right in front of him, before reaching her right hand out, and pressing her palm lightly into his right shoulder. "And I do remember..." she began, before letting her voice trail off, for Darren's muscles seemed to tense beneath her delicate touch. "And it's alright. You should come in... take your shirt off. Lie down on the table, and allow yourself to get comfortable. After all, you did want a massage, didn't you?" she asked, her eyes flashing playfully. Her irises a playful, sparkling violet color. With that, Holly drew her hand back to her side, and turned abruptly on her heels. There was an edge of pink in her cheeks that she hoped Darren had not noticed. After all, she did remember last time, just how flirtatious he had been. But as much as her mind told her to, she knew it was no grounds for him to be sent away. She took a few steps closer to her working table, and simply waited. "Whenever you are ready Darren, we may begin," she said simply, her voice even quieter than before.

[Darren]

Why did she have to talk that like that? Fighting the urge to let out an uncomfortable groan Darren found himself enticed by the inviting words from Holly. "Ah... yea. I'll try my best to erm... relax" The tone suggested that such a feat would be impossible especially when he stared at the sensual walk she made as she went to the table alongside that stunning blue, Darren felt the urge to swallow hard in an attempt to keep calm. It felt as if his heart was betraying his true intent, each beat threatening to expose each and every thought that came to mind. Sigh* I can do this. Rubbing the back of his neck nervously for a moment he paused before finally taking off his shirt, a slight glimmer of azure touched his eyes as he tried to gauge her reaction before stepping close. "Sounds good, I'm ready whenever" Laying down on the table, laying his head on his hands he would politely watch Holly when she started. Finding a sudden interest in another part of the room if her gaze wandered near his own it wouldn't take long for him to feel so uncomfortable he had to talk. Looking dejectedly at the floor he let out a appreciative whimper before speaking. "Did you... remember what I said last time? I think I was trying to see if you would teach me? All flirtatious advances aside, I would really like to learn your craft. I'm sorry but it just always seems to come up when I'm talking to you. Massage! I mean!" His face turning a fair shade of red as he faced forward trying to calm himself, mentally and physically. Hopefully she wouldn't take any of his side comments the wrong way and actually consider his proposition. After awhile the forward Vantha finally started to feel the relaxing sensation from the masseuse's hands. Letting out a hearty almost purring moan hum from inside him, Darren tilted his head slightly to show that he was addressing her. "Amazing, just... how do you do it? I mean, when I try something like... that, it is either a very rough but invigorating massage or something akin to torture." Darren's tone suggested that he was being serious as he let out a sigh. The thought of massage always seemed to make him babble, even more so with such a skillful practitioner. "I'm sorry if I was too forward. I'm guessing your used to this. Being approached by overly hormonal men and such. Maybe even woman. But just know... if erm. You want me to stop I'll... rein it in a bit. As long as I can stay here. Learn from you, lo-massage with you"

[Growl]

As soon as Darren lay down, Holly pressed the palms of her hands into the center of his back. Slowly, she brought her hands to each side of his back, bringing them lower as if she were about to draw them under his chest. But when she got to the end of his body, she'd bring them back up towards his center. She moved her hands slowly, letting a gentle heat rise beneath her palms, and send a deep sense of warmth and relaxation through Darren's body. "Ah yes, so you were the one who wanted to learn how to make better use of his hands," Holly commented with the slightest of smiles, a glimmer in her eyes. "But you left so suddenly, before any sort of invitation to learn could have possibly have been made... but then again; I think that some of the things that came out of your mouth scared you away." Her voice was soft as she kept on massaging him, speaking in time with the motion of her hands. "It seems as though you were thinking all those things; and never once thought that they would pass your lips," Holly smiled, her cheeks growing somewhat pink again. "It happens sometimes you know..." she added, letting her voice trail off as she moved her hands an inch lower than before. Starting to work on Darren's lower back in the same way. She closed her eyes, simply listening to him speak to her; praise her, as her hands felt out the kinks in his body, and did their best to rid him of them all. "You just need to let yourself feel their pain to get rid of it. That's your problem... you don't feel it..." her voice trailed off again as she pressed her fingers into a knot. Pushing them around and around in small circles, trying to get it out. "You don't let yourself be open to learn, you're so busy being distracted by other things. Say, how poorly you may be doing for example; how you may be hurting as opposed to helping."

[Darren]

"Oh... Really?" Unable to hide the disappointment in his tone, Darren frowned silently to himself. "The... flirtatious advances? Or speaking whatever was on your mind?" A cold sweat lined the back of his neck as he waited for the answer. An appreciative sigh followed by a short chuckle at her less then reassuring words. "I suppose your right. But your wrong about a few things. True I might be less then sensitive then the normal guy but I am trying my test to improve. It's just... I don't have too many chances to try again after half of my victims run away at the suggestion." Offering a calm smile after his joke Darren tried to imagine what exactly Holly was doing. "Holly... what's that your doing? It feels good." Barely able to keep conscious anymore the Vantha let out a slight yawn as his eyes drooped slightly. "So what do you say? Care to take a... yawn* an attractive, plaything of an assistant you can spoil yourself with?" His eyes narrowed as he tried to stay in the conversation. "I'll do my best... you won't... you hmmm..." Apparently this Whitevine had a very considerable need to relax further as he listlessly dozed off. Though there was still a good chance he was conscious the man's reaction to Holly's work was genuine as he closed his eyes.

[Growl]

A small chuckle erupted from Holly's lips as she continued to work on Darren's knotted back. "A little bit of both," she replied simply before falling silent a moment. "And you know, they are more likely to continue to be your victims if you fail to see them any other way... yes you do come on too strong, and don't seem to have even the slightest hint of a filter, but perhaps, if you started seeing people differently than you do now, things would get easier." Holly continued to press her fingers into Darren's flesh, trying to work out a single, relentless not that simply did not want to go away. "What? This?" she asked. "Just putting pressure on one of your knots in the hopes that it will go away. But this one is rather nasty, you may need more than just a woman's hands," she commented, as she continued her work. Doing her best to ignore his continued attempts at wooing her, although it unnerved her, and caused her face to grow a deeper shade of red. "Perhaps it will be something to think about," she commented, her voice wavering, soft. Holly kept on working, applying pressure, but seemed to be getting no where. She could feel as well as sense the tension within that portion of Darren's back. "Excuse me for just a moment love, it seems like we will need something more to get that knot out," Holly commented as she walked over to the wall and picked up a flickering light brown candle. A pool of melted wax rested around the blackened wick, and the masseuse knew that this would be just what she needed to loosen Darren up. Slowly, she walked back to the massage table, rolling her left pointer finger around the melted wax just to test the temperature; it was warm. "Just don't move an inch, we wouldn't want the wax to fall on the wrong place," Holly commented, as she quickly pressed her left hand onto Darren's lower back, just to locate the knot. When she had, she pulled it away, and poured the hot wax from the candle over the spot. Instantly, the wax sank into his skin, burning at first, causing it to grow red, before it slowly began to cool, trying to soothe the pain the knot had caused. "Is that any better?" Holly asked, as she held the candle in both hands, wondering if she would need more.

[Darren]

Darren's eyes narrowed as the chuckle escaped Holly's lips. Aww gawd that's horrible!The arrogant Vantha listened closely at the comments Holly was giving to him, humming thoughtfully while trying to process the suggestion. What else are people but a means to an end? What is she talking about? Shifting uncomfortably Darren peeked a look at what she was referring to. Oh, that must have came from that hmm... "Oh? Well... if you need more convincing I'll be happy to assure you that I'm being serious. You can ask anything of me." A thin smile touching his lips as he thought of ways to otherwise sway the wavering masseuse. "Huh? What was that? Sure thing. You do what you have to." Mumbling something indifferently his eyes popped as he finally processed what she just said. "Wait hold on..-" But it was too late, already the hot wax singed his skin as it sent him reeling in pain. "Gahhhhahah! OW! PETCH! THE FLYING HAGGER OF YUKMAN THAT'S HOT!" His hands gripped the table tightly as he tried to block out the slight pain, finally tilting slightly to look back at Holly. Looking to see any indications of her malice or ill intent he laid speechless to the question, his body language telling volumes of what he thought. "Was that necessary? I mean I don't think I even. Are you just trying to get rid of me or something?" The usual aggressive demeanor Darren had was starting to show as he meticulously questioned the sensual Whitevine. "Or are you some sort of sadist or something? An odd characteristic for someone who massages others. Can you at least be give me a warning next time you do that or something!" Pausing slightly, Darren blinked twice as he realized his behavior towards her. "Erm... Holly I'm really sorry. I just, thought, doesn't matter. You were right about me I really am insensitive. But I want to change that. And you erm. I think you would be the best person to help me learn how to-. Eh, please I'm begging you."

[Growl]

Instantly, Holly took a few startled steps back, coming dangerously close to tripping over the candles that lined the wall, before she had realized just where she was. "It shouldn't have been very hot. I tested the wax just before I put any on you, just to be sure you didn't burn," Holly explained as she placed the candle back where it belonged, and then returned to the table, standing over Darren as an amused nurse may stand over her own patient. "Yes, that was necessary, for it will help heat and then cool off that portion of your back, which should make it easier for us to get that nasty knot out," Holly explained, her voice soft, and sweet as honey. Her eyes glimmering a deep violet as she stared down at Darren with the softest of smiles. "And no, definitely not trying to get rid of you my dear. Not when you have so many knots in your back to be tended too," Holly continued. "Of course, that may be a slightly different story once they're all gone, or my next client arrives," her smile widened as she spoke, her cheeks taking on a pink edge. "Nor am I a sadist, and you were warned... about the wax. But, you must not have heard or something," she commented, deciding to be nice and not call out his inability to listen to others. With that, Holly placed her right hand on the edge of the table, and slowly walked around it, inspecting each portion of the Vantha's body before returning to her starting position, where the wax was beginning to cool and harden. Gently, she pushed her fingers under it, and freed the wax from Darren's flesh. "No need to feel sorry," she commented as threw the waste in an basket under her table, and then looked up at him again, absently brushing off the excess pieces with her hand. "Does that feel any better?" she asked, before she continued to press her fingers into the knot, working even harder now to get them out. "Or is it about the same?" Holly waited for Darren's answer, before falling silent for a long time, "and if you truly wish to learn how to do this; how to become skilled with the use of your hands, then you shall need to practice whenever you can," Holly explained. "Make this your lifestyle; massage for several hours a day. Less at first, more as you move on..."