Blood Dolls
Among vampire society, few relationships are as intimate, complicated, or potentially dangerous as that between a vampire and their Blood Doll.
A Blood Doll is an individual who willingly offers their blood to a particular vampire for feeding and sustenance. Unlike someone who simply allows a vampire to feed from them on an occasional basis, a Blood Doll develops an established and recurring relationship with a vampire, regularly providing their blood and often becoming one of that vampire's primary sources of vitae.
Blood Dolls may come from many different races. Humans, witches, shifters, fae, and certain interdimensional or extraterrestrial beings may all become Blood Dolls, provided their blood is biologically and supernaturally compatible with vampire physiology. Not every species possesses blood that vampires can safely consume, and compatibility must always be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Becoming a Blood Doll
Being bitten by a vampire does not automatically make someone a Blood Doll.
The term generally refers to someone who has chosen to repeatedly and willingly provide their blood to the same vampire, usually on a regular basis. Over time, a pattern of feeding develops into an established arrangement, with the Blood Doll becoming a dependable source of vitae for their chosen vampire.
A vampire may have more than one Blood Doll. In fact, it is not unusual for particularly active or powerful vampires to maintain several Blood Dolls, each having their own relationship and place within the vampire's feeding circle.
There is no universal reason why someone chooses to become a Blood Doll.
For some, it is an expression of profound trust and devotion. They may have developed a powerful emotional bond with the vampire and want to become closer to them. Others may be fascinated by vampires and deliberately seek out the experience. Some wish to develop a deeper romantic connection, while others are drawn to the intimacy and vulnerability inherent in allowing a vampire to feed from them.
For some Blood Dolls, the relationship is primarily physical or erotic. For others, romance is the central component. Some develop relationships that are simultaneously emotional, romantic, physical, and feeding-oriented.
And sometimes, the motivation is much simpler:
They want to be the person their vampire feeds from.
Blood, Trust and Intimacy
Allowing another being to feed upon one's blood is an extraordinarily intimate act.
A Blood Doll must willingly expose themselves to a vampire's hunger and trust that the vampire will exercise sufficient restraint. Because of this, Blood Doll relationships frequently involve a degree of trust and vulnerability that ordinary friendships or romantic relationships may not possess.
For some vampires and their Blood Dolls, the act becomes almost ceremonial. Feeding may be accompanied by rituals, private meetings, carefully established boundaries, or traditions unique to the pair.
For others, it becomes an ordinary part of their relationship.
A Blood Doll might be the vampire's lover, best friend, submissive, companion, confidant, or simply a trusted source of vitae.
There is no guarantee that affection will be reciprocated.
A Blood Doll may desperately desire a romantic relationship with their vampire while the vampire regards the arrangement purely as a feeding relationship. Conversely, genuine affection may develop between them over time, eventually transforming what began as a simple feeding arrangement into a romantic partnership.
Such relationships are common enough within vampire society to be neither unusual nor particularly surprising.
Multiple Blood Dolls
Vampires are not restricted to having a single Blood Doll.
A vampire may maintain several Blood Dolls simultaneously, with each relationship having its own boundaries and expectations.
One Blood Doll may be a romantic partner. Another may be a close friend who enjoys the intimacy of feeding. Another may simply prefer the role of dedicated vitae provider without expecting emotional attachment.
Some vampires are completely transparent about maintaining multiple Blood Dolls, while others keep their feeding relationships private.
Likewise, Blood Dolls differ in their expectations. Some are perfectly comfortable knowing that their vampire feeds from others, while others desire exclusivity and may regard their role as something belonging solely to them and their vampire.
These differences can create everything from harmonious arrangements to jealousy, rivalry, possessiveness, and complicated interpersonal drama.
Blood Dolls by Race
Humans are among the most common Blood Dolls.
Human blood is generally compatible with vampire physiology, and humans are comparatively easy for vampires to find and feed from. A human may choose to become a Blood Doll because of affection for a vampire, fascination with vampire culture, romantic attraction, or simply because they enjoy the unique intimacy of the relationship.
Witches can become exceptionally desirable Blood Dolls, but their blood presents unique dangers.
Magical blood can possess properties that ordinary human blood does not. Depending upon the witch and their magical nature, their vitae may produce unusually powerful effects in vampires and can become highly addictive.
A disciplined vampire may learn to feed from a witch responsibly, recognizing the increased potency of their blood and carefully controlling how frequently and how much they consume.
Other vampires may struggle considerably more.
A vampire who becomes dependent upon magical blood can begin craving it with an intensity resembling addiction. What began as an intimate feeding relationship can consequently become dangerous for both parties.
Shifters are another relatively common source of vampire vitae.
Their blood may possess characteristics associated with their supernatural nature, although the exact effects vary according to the shifter's species and individual physiology.
Some vampires find shifter blood particularly appealing because of its unusual properties, while others prefer the more predictable qualities of human blood.
Fae Blood Dolls are comparatively uncommon.
Fae blood is often exceptionally potent and possesses unusual and unique supernatural and addictive properties. Consequently, a vampire feeding from a fae must exercise considerable restraint.
A vampire capable of controlling their hunger may maintain a safe and mutually beneficial relationship with a fae Blood Doll.
A vampire lacking such discipline may become increasingly dependent upon the experience, eventually placing the fae in considerable danger.
Because of this, fae who willingly enter Blood Doll relationships are often expected to understand exactly what they are getting themselves into.
Interdimensional and Extraterrestrial Races
Not every alien or interdimensional species can serve as a Blood Doll.
Vampires can only consume blood that is physiologically and supernaturally compatible with their own vitae requirements. Some species possess blood that is completely incompatible, toxic, inert, or otherwise incapable of providing vampire sustenance.
Others may possess blood that is remarkably similar to human blood and can therefore be consumed safely.
The Pleiadians or otherwise known as the “Nordic” extraterrestrial race, for example, is known to possess physiology sufficiently similar to humans that their blood may be compatible with vampires.
Other extraterrestrial and interdimensional races must be evaluated individually.
Their rarity can also make compatible individuals highly sought after by vampires, particularly when their blood produces
unusual effects.