Disclaimer: Natalie and Janette don't belong to me, and I'll put them back later.  However, this story, Lenara, Simone (and anyone else you don't recognize) are mine, and are just along for the ride.  Although this is part of the "Plans" universe, it takes place during another story I'm currently working on, so consider this a backwards teaser (no *major* plot points are spoiled); that story will (hopefully) be ready before New Years.  Notes: 1) this contains explicit sex between two women (f/f),  2) by this point Natalie is a vampire, 3) please forgive any French errors -- it has been two years since I studied the language in great depth.  This story, whose title literally means a 'party of thanksgiving' (at least according to my memory and le dictionaire francais), is for Ro (DarkChara@aol.com) who suggested that the Rainbow Knights write "holiday-inspired" stories.

Send feedback (please, please, please!) to: Josette@aol.com

Thanks to Lori Dehn for beta reading!

"Fete d'Action de Graces" (1/01)
by Nymue

"So Nat, what are you and Janette doing for Thanksgiving?  Or do you even celebrate?" asked Lenara, the unusually mature teenager who worked as the day manager's assisstant at the studio.

"Hmmm ... we do celebrate sometimes, but I'm not sure what we are going to do. We might go on holiday, or we may stay home.  Truth be told, we haven't really discussed it," Natalie told her.

"Don't worry," Simone told Lenara with a sly grin, "I'm sure they'll think of a *unique* way to celebrate."

Natalie shot Simone a dark look.  She knew the vampiress was trustworthy, but she dearly wished Simone would stop teasing Lenara.  The poor thing had been through enough already.

Lenara blushed.  She *knew* Natalie and Janette were lovers and although it didn't bother her, she was still getting used to the idea.  And then there was the strange feeling she had that there was more going on than she knew. However, her reverie was stopped by Natalie's next words.

"Be that as it may," she said, looking pointedly at Simone, "we need to get finished before everything shuts down.  Lenara, make sure you fax those designs to Marielle *tonight,* and make sure the photographers know the date of the exhibition has been changed."

"I'm on it," Lenara told her before heading down to the main office.

"Oh, and make sure they know to send the proceeds to the women's center/shelter," Natalie called after her.

"Right," she called back.

Simone looked at Natalie.  "It will not be long before she discovers the truth, you know that, n'est-ce pas?"

"We know," Natalie sighed.  "But Janette and I, we can't very well turn her away, can we?  She's seen too much to try and function out there," she gestured out the window towards the bustling city, "on her own.  Besides, think about how, and by whom, she was raised."

Simone nodded.  "Nevertheless, she will figure it out - especially considering how and by *whom* she was raised."

"Then we will deal with that matter *when* it arises," came a familliar voice from behind them.

"Janette ... I wasn't ... I mean I didn't expect you to come in tonight ... I'll go help Lenara finish up," Simone told the elegant vampire, whose only response was a raised eyebrow.

Natalie, who had felt her lover's arrival, snickered inwardly as she watched the flustered Simone try to recover her equilibrium.  Janette was *so* good at sneaking up on people -- even other vampires.

"I'm sure," was Janette replied dryly, as Simone slipped out of the room. "But," she continued, her voice softening, "I came to see if you were finished, cherie.  I thought we might discuss how to celebrate the upcoming festivities ... "

"Yes," Natalie replied, "please continue.  I'd like to hear how you think we should celebrate this year."

"Mmmm, well in that case, cherie, I suggest we return home.  My ideas are definitely not for public consumption," Janette teased.

"Let's go," Natalie told her lover, her voice low and husky.  "I'm sure Simone and Lenara can lock up and get home by themselves."

Together they took the stairs up to the roof, and took flight under the cover of darkness.

~~~~~~

The house was dark when they arrived, and Natalie realized that Janette already had a celebration planned.  Smiling, she allowed the other woman to lead her upstairs to their bedroom, which bore little resemblence to the one she had left earlier in the evening.  Heavy black and green brocade drapes had been drawn over the all the windows save one, which allowed the light of the full moon to pour in through the beveled, stained glass; stratigically placed mirrors reflected the lighted candles that were everywhere, on every available surface; and the bed, their state bed ... the high hand-carved mahagony headboard and tall posters were draped with white chiffonesque material, its
black and white silk sheets were turned down, and the petals of red roses and orange blossoms covered all of its ten foot long (and wide) surface.

"Oh, Janette," Natalie's voice caught in her throat.

"Do you approve, ma cherie?"

Natalie's response was to turn and kiss her lover passionately.  As their mouths met, stroking and caressing, Janette ran her tongue over Natalie's canines, and was delighted to feel them lengthen.  Natalie growled, then returned the favor by allowing her tongue lightly dance over Janette's fangs.
Janette moaned, then broke the kiss to extreme disappointment of her lover.  Smiling, she led Natalie over to the uncovered window.

"What do you see, Natalie?" Janette asked, her voice thick with passion.

"Moonlight," came the answer, "silvery, crystalline, perfect moonlight ... illuminating the strongest, most exquisite, loving woman I've ever seen ... a veritable goddess come to earth ..."

A small blood tear escaped from Janette's eyes.  Reaching out, Natalie captured it on the tip of her finger intending to bring it to her mouth.  But before she could taste her lover's tears, Janette reached out and grasped her hand.

"Do you know what I see?" she asked.  As Natalie shook her head, Janette continued.  "I, too, see the le cristallin clair de lune ... and it shines upon my heart's love and desire made manifest ... Je vois mon avenire* ..."

Both were trembling when their lips met for another kiss, this one slow, deep, and soul searching.  When both were satisfied, they turned toward the bed. Leaning in Natalie unhooked Janette's dress, watching it slide over her hips before forming a puddle at her feet.  Then she pulled the pins from her
lover's hair; Natalie relished the sight of the long raven tresses that formed a dark curtain around Janette.

Natalie sighed, "Truly a goddess ... Aphrodite in her prime could not outshine you, my love."

If vampires could blush, Janette thought, I would be the color of the sky at sunset.  "Ahh, cherie, you flatter me.  But it is my turn, n'est-ce pas?"

Janette gently tugged at buttons on Natalie's blouse and skirt, leaving her lover clad only in a lace bustier and stockings.  After a few well-placed twists and pulls, Janette had displaced the lingerie; smiling softly, she pulled Natalie's hair loose from the elaborate twist, leaving the auburn waves
to float freely over her shoulders and down her back.

"Ahh, Aurora incarnate ... your hair is the color of a long forgotten sunrise," Janette whispered.

Natalie tilted her head and gathered Janette against her for another kiss.  Laughing, Janette twisted around and the two toppled over onto the fragrant bed.  As their lips met, a strange cool heat began to build, causing them to arch against each other.  Janette slowly began stroking Natalie's breasts as
she covered her neck and shoulders with tiny kisses.  In reciprocation, Natalie ran her hands up and down Janette's back, softly massaging the pale, luminescent skin.  Then, Janette took one, and then the other, of Natalie's nipples in her mouth and started sucking lightly; Natalie moaned, and let her
hands move from her lover's back to twine in her dark hair.  As Natalie's moans grew loader, Janette started kissing and caressing her way down, scratching her lover's sensitive skin to draw blood.  As Natalie started to writhe beneath her, Janette moved to bury her face between Natalie's thighs.
Slowly, she started licking her lover's swollen sex, plunging her tongue inside only when Natalie arched up.  Swirling her tongue in and out, Janette made sure to stroke the spots she knew would please her lover.  Natalie moaned again, this time begging her lover to give her release.  Janette lifted her head then, and the licks she applied to the sensitive clit were so well-placed that Natalie knew she would only peak when Janette thought she was ready. Only seconds later, after giving Natalie one final lick, as the orgasm washed over Natalie, Janette plunged her fangs into her lover's neck, only to feel Natalie do the same as the world exploded around them.

Overcome with the force of her orgasm, Natalie lay still while trying to regain her equilibrium.  Without warning, Janette twisted slightly and used the side of one of her fangs to nip at Natalie's breast; squealing in suprise, Natalie raised up causing the two to lay facing each other.

"What was that for?" Natalie gasped.

"To see if you were still paying attention," came the teasing answer.

"Why you ..."

Janette reached over, caressing her lover's body, still continuing to laugh as Natalie started to rain kisses on her face, but growled when she lightly bit her earlobe.  Natalie continued to kiss Janette's shoulders, drawing blood with every kiss, stopping only upon reaching her breasts.  Slowly caressing
them, she caused the delicate nipples to harden before taking one of them her mouth, sucking until it became hard.  After repeating the process on its twin, Natalie began raining kisses on her lover again, mimicking Janette by leaving a trail of blood behind each kiss.  Janette moaned and writhed as Natalie's kisses approached her swollen clit, which was ignored while Natalie placed soft licks along her labia.  No longer content to merely kiss her lover, Natalie plunged her tongue inside Janette, lapping at her juices and stroking the moist chamber.  When Janette's moans reached a fevered peak, Natalie began to delicately lick and suck at the sensitive bundle of nerves.  With every kiss, Janette could feel the pleasure building, as if the dam was going to burst.  Writhing with passion, she arched herself toward Natalie, who, laughing along their link, continued sucking, but with increased fervor.
Suddenly, Janette felt the tide break, and she started to come as Natalie sank her teeth into her throat.  Tasting Janette's ecstacy sent Natalie over the edge, and she reached down to rub her lover's clit, causing the other woman to come yet again.  As she felt another orgasm approach, Janette sank her teeth into Natalie, who shuddered at the contact before coming yet again.  Locked together, they continued to embrace each other, and climaxed over and over, until both were exhausted.

~~~~~

"Not that I mind, but I thought we were going to *discuss* the possibility of plans for this holiday season."

"Well, cherie, it has been said that 'actions speak louder than words.'  But, if it is conversation you want, then you shall have it.  What exactly are you thankful for, hmm?"

Laying on her back, Natalie raised a hand and started listing things.  "Let me see, hmm, longer nights, the renovations are finally finished, we haven't heard from the you-know-whos lately ... and I'm *especially* thankful that you're still here ..."

"And I, too, am glad you are still here, cherie ... although the longer nights *do* run a close second!"

---END---

*I see my future.

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Robyn
Josette@aol.com