What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."
Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar...
Part LXXXXVIII...
[Note-Naturally we are diverging from the new season storyline into AU territory]
...
"So, what's up...?" Eloise eyes camera. "I rate a tab segment, huh?" she beamed, rather elegant in her black and gold gown, hair piled as she preens a bit, smiling. A team of two of the documentary crew having requested a moment with her, alone on the residence's terrace.
"Sorry...Just kidding." She puts up a hand. "Don't mean to imply you two are the scrub team, it's actually nice you want my take on things. The non-vamp, but supernatural pov, right?" grin.
"Though it's good there's no full moon..." wry smile, pausing.
"So...I suppose..." she looks away. "You folks think I'm pretty callous, not trying to do something for the others, huh? I mean that's part of why you wanna speak with me, alone, right?" Careful eyeing...
"The fact is..." she pauses. "I've considered it from the moment I sensed Jen and Ginny were in thrall. You can believe that or no, nothing off my back. But the fact is, I saw they weren't being abused per se...Though you don't have to tell me it's slavery, however happy the ladies may feel for the moment. Or that they'll likely blame me almost as much as their vamps and poor Guillermo for all the humiliation when and if they're freed. But...I'm dead, you know." Wan smile, shrug.
"Much as I may look pretty lively. And a dead girl/werewolf with two little ones has to make tough choices. I could've tried to fight them, maybe I should've...But three vamps plus enthrallees plus a minion...Not to mention Colin, whatever his game is? I'll likely have wound up dead undead or some weird version of vamp slave. And, God forgive me, I can't let that happen." Sigh.
"I have tried to look out for the girls..." nervous look... "I wouldn't've put up with anything rough or perverse. And I know some of the harem..." grin. "Well, almost harem, considered me someone to watch and if I looked the wrong way, kill. I wouldn't have liked to have to take them on, poor kids. All the thrall-induced adrenalin in the world wouldn't have saved them from me in rage form.",,,wry smile. "If it had come or comes, to the line, I'd do what I could to help em. But the likelihood is they'd be dead and my kids would be short one mom, however bad a mom I maybe. And, the fact is..." she looks about carefully, one of the two camera persons looking about as well, curious.
"I believe there's somethin' going on here...This stuff with Van Helsing, the Slayer...A sister, you know? Nice..." grin...Then serious regard...
"The Doctor Dracula...Acura, whatever...This is happening for a reason. And I think, whatever they are, these vamps...The Cravenworths and Nandor, at least, are looking for help. These aren't your typical vamps, I tell ya. I know I may be prejudiced or biased a little but most vamps couldn't care less for their minions or their victims, so long as they get what they want." Pantomiming biting a neck... "And they enjoy humiliating their groupies, enthrallees, victims, whatever. These folks don't. They care. Frankly they almost seem human again at times. And I know enough about vamps to know that's unusual." Nod.
"There are stories passed around, about vamps looking to be redeemed. One guy they say saw a baby turned into a vamp and I guess it broke him. He wouldn't kill anymore, he just wanted to find the one who turned that kid and destroy him. What? You've seen him? At the damned Vamp Council? Wow." She stares.
"So was he really? Really?" nod. "They said he was torn up by it...And there are other stories. See, we of the furred persuasion can't 'redeem'. We don't lose our souls...I mean we get a better deal in some ways. We can eat. We can get round in daylight. If we're careful, hell, we can practically seem human, most of the time. But it's a little hard, hearin' the vamps might have a way out...A way back, if the Dracula stuff is true." She pauses to eye a questioning camerawoman.
"I don't know. I've never heard of a cure. Of course, I was frantic to get one, when I found out what'd happened to me. Frantic for my kids...I nearly ran away that first night, left 'em, thinking I couldn't possibly stay with 'em, care for 'em. I was terrified. And there was no one...Till I met Roy, our pack leader...I could turn to for help, or advice. No one else could understand..." Wipes a single rolling tear...
"But I know what would've happened to them...My mom is dead, my ex's mom...Shit. Just like her boy. No way with that bitch from Hell. I'd leave em with vamps first. But not the foster system. Damn, no. Not my kids." Angry stare. "So, I decided to try and see if I could manage, somehow. I had to, they needed me. Even a dead mom can wanna save her kids..." wistful stare.
"Yeah, I'm dead, sweetheart. And even if it was mostly unconscious, I've killed, just like our vamp friends." she nods to camerawoman tentatively asking... "There's no way around it. Human Eloise died that night and I know it." Wipes another tear. "God damn it, I was nearly finished with my degree and had a steady job, a chance to take good care of...My God, my God, why did you forsake me?" she wept suddenly.
Putting up a hand as the camerapeople nervously regard her...
"Sorry...I hate to go off like that..." she took tissue from the male cameraperson gratefully. "There was nothin' to be done and it's no use cryin' over it, I know that. I get to be with my kids still and am getting them to where they'll have a chance to survive...That's enough. Just a few more years and a chance to put some money away for them, please God. I know I haven't much time left..." she notes, wan smile.
"I can't risk my kids getting old enough to start really challenging me, giving me hell, the way all teenagers do. I can't be sure I could control myself...Or keep my secret much longer. And it's better I die to the final max than that I ever hurt my kids." Rubbing hands. "So, if I can just have a few good years, I'll take care of things and find peace. After I've put some money away for my kids and now, after I see my family and my friends are safe and sound...And, however weird it may sound...I do count 'our' vamps as my friends...May even my family, along with Ginny and Jen and Erika and the other girls. I'll do what I can to see them safe, hopefully free and happy. I mean that...You can count on the Knieve." Wan smile.
"So, that's my story..." she beams. "Such as it is, it's mine and I'll try to finish it up honorably. What?" she looks over at the camerawoman, tearing up a bit herself...
"Well, if you guys ever hear tell of anything that could help, I'd be interested, for sure." Wan smile on her lovely face.
...
"So, this really is Redemption?" Nandor shakes head. Acura and Althea smiling at him...
"Afraid so, ole friend." Philippe grins. "I wish it came with more fireworks and perhaps an Old Testament God appearing but..."
"Oh, no...This is fine." Nandor nods carefully.
"Dad?" Althea cautions, worried look.
"Oh, yes...Althea reminds me to warn you, Nandor. It's not all champagne you can enjoy again, roses you can see in daylight, and all that. It will be very hard for a time, the guilt you will soon feel." Dr. Acura notes, sighing. "But I promise you, the joy of being free and knowing you can act to redeem yourself, with some of the powers bestowed on you, will make up for it in time."
"I see. So..." pausing. "I will remain physically immortal."
"As Immortal goes, yes. But your powers, especially by day, will weaken. Also, watch yourself..." impish smile. "You'll soon be eating again. I gained fifty pounds the second year and thank God I had the finest doctor in Europe for my physician to help lose it."
"I cannot imagine Papa fat." Althea grins.
"Poor Laszlo, when it comes to him." Nandor smiles. "Vlad...I cannot express my thanks."
"No need, Nandor." Shaking head. "You've done it yourself. I only offered and can offer a little help and advice on your new path."
"But the others...?" Nandor anxiously.
"They're close upon it" nod. Sighing... "But there's grave danger that those who hate and fear to see the Undead saved, largely because they have no prayer of Redemption themselves, will act to prevent their salvation, destroying them before it can occur, if necessary." Dracula notes. Althea, perching glasses nodding.
"But surely if they're destroyed..." Nandor eyes him.
"Their souls would be free but still burdened by their crimes, some of which can't be excused by their condition. Heaven or the Powers that Be is, are merciful...But Just." Dracula nods. "They would endure far more suffering at their own hands, by their own guilt. And the good they could do, that I am sure they want to do, having seen them and you make the painful climb back, would be lost. We must try to prevent this...Stop the dark, death force that seeks to drag them and you back. That is why I and Althea and our friend Alex and all our friends of the Hunter Corps are here to help...Not all here, now..." he hastily notes, putting up hand at Nandor's worried look.
"And my poor Guillermo..." Nandor sighs. "He is a good man, truly. But he's fallen into confusion, even evil, lost his way, poor, poor boy. And my fault..."
"He is a good man, indeed. More than you knew, old friend." Dracula smiles.