What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."
Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar...
Part C...
Laszlo to camera, standing with his new and old human mates, Rick, Ginny's history prof boyfriend, David, Jen's husband, and Shaun...Shaunny!...And Ginny's daughter, Jacqueta...
"Well, quite an evening..." he beams. "You fellas...And Miss, bow of acknowledgement to the camerawoman...Having a good time? You did get to the table for some wine and food? Good, good. Now, this is what I call a reception. Oh, let me introduce you to my new mates...Richard, New York University History Department's finest..." Rick, in Colonial officer's uniform, raising wine glass. "And Dr., nee Captain, David Chu, our dear Jennifer's husband, equally gifted in his knowledge of History and Science..." David, in his ancient Chinese uniform, mock bow... "And our Ginny's brilliant young Jackie Zeller..." Jacqueta, grinning nod... "And, last but not least, my ole pal Shaunny!" Shaun, raising beer glass.
"We have been having the most fascinating discussion on Chinese history as it relates to these former Colonies. By the way, Rick..." Laszlo turning to him. "As a should-be British peer, I officially forgive you, your Rebellion." Rick, formal bow... "Hell, Britain deserved to lose you, morons...Or, if I may, being a citizen of this fair and wonderful land for some time now, lose us. Cheers, mates!" Raising glass of what one might assume to be red wine, though a rather thick version. "Just a mo, folks whilst I review the filming of our little opus with my pals here." He waves the camera crew over to a more isolated spot...
"So, I hear Nandor and his ole pal...'Dr. Acura' have been hard at it in the basement over a re-enactment of one of their ole battles. And young Miss Acura is with them?" he eyes camera. "Any word on how that might be going? Just in the interests of tonight's truce and my Nadja's safety. I know Dracula is a gentleman who can be counted on to keep his word, but in the heat of gaming men sometimes forget where their best interests lie... So? Any chance you could...Without breaking that precious fourth wall too badly, naturally? Thanks, fellas." Beam.
Nods... "Your folks below say things seem to be going well. Great. Thanks, Geoffrey..." he nods to the director who'd made a quick cell call. "She did? Won the battle, did she? Well, she is the Slayer. Just so long as it's a play battle. Well, that's good." Glancing about...
"Our evacuation plan proceeds...This enchanting reception being perfect cover...And kudos to Nandor for a fine job of keeping things cool with his old frienemy, Dracula and Dracula's adopted daughter." Pauses.
"How'd he manage that, I wonder? I thought they were rather strict about such things these days...I know when Nadja and I tried to adopt some young girls for an orgy/feast, Colin told us the review process would at best take until the girls were long past virginity and given our somewhat questionable records might well fail. Of course, in my day...And up to, I'd say, nearly the turn of this last century...Or the one before...You just scooped up a kid and claimed him or her as your own and that was that, the local county or shire was glad to have the kid off its rolls and asked no questions if you worked them to death or anything else. Well, it must be nice for him, I imagine it's been a lonely time, especially since his Redemption. Though he does have his sister with him again. Oh, by the way...George? Any luck with the research on optics and our souls? No? Well, I'll discuss it with David shortly, we were just about to move on to the 'supernatural'." Mock widening of eyes, wiggling of fingers.
"Naturally in my role as Laszlo Cravensworth, conservative human businessperson, with yet a sense of curiosity and wonder about things outside his conservative sphere, I must express a bit of disdain for overenthusiasm about things 'supernatural'." Mock widening of eyes, wiggling of fingers. "But I expect it will be a fascinating discussion. David is a most charming fellow, I can well see why Jen took to him, even if, rather like me, she has 'looked about' as one might say."
Putting up a hand... "Though no judgment, I'm certainly in no position to do so, though I will say for those of us who truly delight in wanking, it can be a good thing to, once in a while, indulge the feeling...So long as one's true partner isn't hurt, of course. Now, my Nadja...Though you're quite aware of her devotion to me, indeed her f-ing insane jealousy...Has from time to time, indulged and that actually makes things a bit easier between us. So long as the fundamental love is there..." fond beam.
Sigh..."For Jen, though...I do worry that David is rather strictly the monogamous type, doggedly devoted and all that. And that exposure of certain...Indulgences...In her past...Often as not for reasons of business in a tough profession...Might not be as easily tolerated in their marriage as in ours. Of course, Jen has dropped all that since coming to work for us...And seems quite relieved in a way to have done so. I just wonder if I should speak to her on the subject, before we leave...A friendly bit of counsel, you know? I should hate to see her marriage to such a fine fellow as David be damaged by inconsequential encounters. Yet, I don't wish to embarrass or shame the girl. What do you think?" eyeing camera. "Perhaps Nadja? A word from a wise woman of the world?" looks over to see Nandor emerging from the basement with Dr. Acura and Althea following, all smiling.
"Looks like things are going well...Probably cathartic that they battled one of their old fights out. Nandor! Doctor! Having a good time?!" wave. "Good evening, Miss Acura! Hope you're enjoying yourself!" wave to the beaming Althea who nods.
"Nice girl, for a deadly vampire killer..." he notes. "But we all have our jobs to do, in life and Un-..."
...
"Well, I declare..." Colin looked over from the couch, a near comatose Ellie beside him, mumbling now.
Don't they look cosy?...The old killer foes and the Slayer who should be killing them both. Well...Soon enough, if I have anything to say about it. Looking about to see Ginny near the door, with Erika, both looking anxiously over at Nandor and his guests.
Now there's potential...The devoted human zombies, ready to die to protect their beloved Overlords. Well, lets see...The evening's young yet...But damn...I still feel that draining...Something powerful is at work here. What in Hell could it be? The little black b-? He eyes Althea.
No, more than a Slayer's force...And I'd best watch it. I pledged not to drain the guests and she's just too tempting. Not to mention they say a Slayer likes nothing better than to overload an ev and watch 'em pop like popcorn. Bitches.
And as for this one...Eyes the semi-conscious Ellie...I'd best back off or my dear friends might be miffed at my killing their minion's little angel. He rises.
What the...? Looking over at Nandor, who nods to him. Colin Robinson, all is well.
There's something about him...Something different. Weird...Well, lets let the little dear get some ability to hold her head up, back. He moves off, toward a quiet corner.
...
"I had better go and speak to Martha, see if there's been any change." Nandor notes to Acura who nods.
"By all means, ole fellow. And I will see to Miss Susan as soon as I can."
Dad...You...Althea, repressing smile.
"Miss Althea, it was a pleasure to be crushed by your forces." Nandor beams, taking her hand. "Thank you, my dear girl. Truly. I will see you both, in the bit."
"Glad to sir. God bless you." She smiles.
"Dad?" she eyes Acura who gives her sidelong smile. "You think that quickly?"
"She's been waiting a very long time, Althea. Not at all quick, really." He notes. Both looking to see Nandor heading to where Jen stands with Suzette in arms, speaking to several guests from the Historical Society, Ginny and Erika, Phyllis by them, close.
"Ladies? Hello, there." Nandor greets the other guests. "I hope you are enjoying our little party."
"This is Ms. Reynolds...Who bought your old home, Mr. Relentless." Jen introduces her. "And Ms. Nichols and Ms. Benson from the Historical Society."
"You've done a wonderful job with the grounds, Mr. Relentless." Ms. Nichols notes.
"Ah, well. We owe it all to Miss Jennifer, here." Nandor beams at Jen. "And Miss Ginny and her people, they did so much to get the place into suitable condition. But I am very pleased to hear you say it is as you of the Historical Peoples would wish. We were anxious to maintain your standards well."
"And Ms. Reynolds..." he turns to her. "I do so hope you are pleased with our old home."
"Oh, very, sir. It's a wonderful old place. We hope to do a lot with it." Smile.
"I can imagine."
What that prick Simon will do...Still, she is human and I sense no thrall...So...
After all, business is business...And we made a very fair profit...
Plus the rats will be returning soon enough...
"Have any of you seen dear Martha?" he asks. "I was wondering if she wasn't taken ill, she has seemed a bit delicate these last days."
"She went upstairs with Nadja and the others to see the rest of the place." Jen notes, indicating the stairs. "She seemed fine."
"Good, good. Perhaps I'll just go up and see how the tour is going..." Nandor smiles. "I hope to talk more with you, my friends. Enjoy yourselves, please." He moves off quickly.
"Charming fellow..." Ms. Reynolds notes. "Simon Devious, my business associate, is a friend of his. Told me he was a bit eccentric but not how charming he was." She smiles at Jen.
"He certainly is..." Ms. Nichols beams.
"Oh, very. We love working f...With all of them." Jen nods.
...
"There she is..." Derek sighs, looking over to Althea. As he stands with Guillermo and Claude near the kitchen.
"Don't." Claude cautions. "This isn't the best time for a reunion. And she's a teenaged girl with hormones who remembers her past lives now. Passion, guilt, depression, remorse, even the true love thing... Really not a good combination for a delicate situation. We both know she's always been a sucker for the Juliet Syndrome." Pantomimes stabbing self.
"She does? Remember?" Guillermo stares. "You said she met you in her last past life and found out you were her husband...?" he eyes Derek, now regarding Althea with a sigh.
"Yep. But she only started to remember just before we got separated again...Atonement and Redemption are bitches, Gui." Derek sighs. "But at least this time she's remembered even before we met, we got that much."
"That's nice...But then..." Guillermo staring.
"She's too young." Claude shakes head. "Just getting back into her Slayer stride, this isn't the right time for all this to hit her at once, especially now with so much going on. Will? You know I'm right."
"I suppose." Derek, glumly. "I don't want to put her in jeopardy. But..."
"I spoke to her dad. He's willing for you to come by the house and meet her, under chaperone. But you've got to promise, Will. She'll be very vulnerable. I oughta know."
"Yeah, as I recall only too well, Angel." Derek, frowning.
"What?" Guillermo, eyeing the two.
"It wasn't me...And nothing serious happened. But I am sorry, Will." Claude, apologetically.
"Fine. But he did say I can come by?" Derek, eagerly.
"When things settle down, yeah. But, slow, boy. Give her time."
"Sure...I guess I'm still a bit tentative in here myself." Derek notes.
"That's so sweet. So, you'll get to court her all over again?" Guillermo, rather touched.
"If she'll have me." Downcast look.
"Will..." Claude frowns.
"And hopefully keep her from gettin' killed before we remarry." Derek sighs. "The Powers That Be have their little jokes, though. And seem to keep feeling it's more fun to keep us apart."
"That's awful." Guillermo, shaking head.
"But not this time. And I had a prophecy just before my last death to prove it." Derek, firmly.
"Now that's more like the Will I knew last time. Well, Dracula's had to wait four hundred plus for his girl, so..." Claude notes. "Though they have kept in touch, especially the last hundred." Nods apologetically to the staff head passing with frown. "Just helping the guest, here, sir. Be there in a min."
"Prick..." frown. "We'd best get back to work, Derek." Nod to Derek.
"But...Really? Dr. Acura seems so nice. Is she...Angry at him?" Guillermo, a bit anxiously.
"No, not at all...They're crazy about each other. She's been what's got him on the Redemption path. But..." Claude sighs. "He's got a lot of stuff, like some of us...To answer for. And he's had to pay for it, at her cost as well, sadly, too often."
"Her? She's been punished, for his crimes?" Guillermo, now very nervous.
"She chose to love and help him. It's admirable but...There is a price. A big one." Claude notes
"I see..." Guillermo, nervously. "I guess I get that."
Oh, shit...Susan. No, no...But, no...She's not really in love with me. She won't be made to...No. Gulp.
No, I won't let that happen. And it's not really true, anyway. She'll be fine. It'll all be on me. Please, God.
"But he is a great guy and they'll be ok, in the end." Claude nods. "As will you and Althea, if you mind your ps and qs, Derek. And remember however 'nice' Dr. A is now, he's also a very devoted and very old-fashioned dad. You best play by his rules, ok?"
"I guess." Derek frowns. "And I want her to feel I'm not taking her for granted...I'm perfectly willing to court her again." Wan smile. "I wasn't so bad at it, after all...Better than I realized at the time."
"Oh?" Guillermo, curious.
"He can tell you the whole tragic story later..." Claude notes. "Right now, guys, we ought to focus on the job, seeing this Redemption package through. And keep a watch for those who mean to prevent it."
"You really aren't sure...?" Guillermo, puzzled. "It has to be Devious, right?"
"He may be a part of it...But he's just a pissant." Claude shrugs. "There's more and darker at work here. Come on, Derek." Taking up a tray.
"The Dark Powers don't care to see Redemptions, especially on this scale." Derek agrees. "And there's someone, a very dark someone, at work on stopping this one." Solemn nod as he took tray.
"Wow." Guillermo, blinking.
Uh...Sorry...Derek, regarding dropped tray as Claude rolls eyes.
...
Nandor, just reaching the second floor, to camera...
"It's time to pay the piper, as it were...I sense..." shrug. "And, I have come, prepared." Shows wooden piece in hand, sharp broken edge... "Naturally I would try to assist Vlad and his daughter and the others in their efforts but I must face my Fate. After all, I did expect to be dust by the end of the evening. And Laszlo and Nadja and Colin Robinson have plenty of help now to get them to Redemption City should Martha wish to take her just revenge."
He turns corner to find Martha in her gown...Waiting for him.
"Martha?" he stares, startled.
Was not expecting Fate to be that quick...
"Oh, my God..." Martha, hand to her face. "It's really true...You...It almost seemed like a dream."
"Well...Martha..." Nandor sighs embarrassedly at Martha who stares at him.
Oh, dear...Well...
"I sense you are free now. And should you wish to take vengeance upon he who enslaved and tormented you, well, here I am. Do as you would." Nandor, unbuttoning shirt and offering exposed chest.
"A quick stake to my heart will do it. And if anyone does, I would love it to be you." he notes, indicating the stake he'd dropped to the floor.
"Guillermo will see to it that you receive all riches credited to my name, including my share of our estate here. And please, keep the gown...It so becomes you." Fond smile.
"Good-bye, my dear. Take your just revenge." He pauses, closing eyes.
"Oh, stop that..." she frowns, shaking head. "I'm not going anywhere." Martha notes, sternly. "I have a prior claim under Ottoman law and I hearby exercise it, given the other wives one to twenty-eight failed to exercise their claim on you in the afterlife. You are mine, Nandor Relentless." Proud stare. "And it's been hell getting you back, I can tell you."
"One to twenty-eight...?" Nandor stares.
"Skanks, mostly." Martha shrugs. "Oh...You know they were. Though to be fair, ten were threatened with their families' lives by the Sultan if they'd failed to marry you. And to be fair, I think Mina and a couple of the others further down the line did care...Obviously not so much as me, since they failed to challenge me." proud nod.
"Martha?" Nandor stares.
"Marwa..." Martha corrects, with beaming smile, cocking head. "Hello, husband."
(Martha/Marwa, later, seated by Nandor on the new, bouncy cushion couch...
"Yes, my soul heard his cries through the ether and whilst I did have to give the twenty-eight wives ahead of me their chance, fortunately none of them was willing to endure rebirth and the nine in ten odds that each attempt would fail. But I knew my brave, sweet Nandor would win out in the Redemption game." Pats his hand as he beams. "And he did, on my second..." slight sidelong roll of eyes...Rebirth."
Cut to still later, sole interview..."Ok, it took twenty rebirths and he killed me the first six times, enthralled me...Oh, about ten, including as Martha...Though I deliberately put myself in his way whenever I could. The other times we missed connection, it happens." Shrug. "But all those past times he wasn't past the bloodlust, I came too early...I really should have listed to Elisabete Dracule, Vlad's wife? She warned me not to hop on the reincarnation bus too quick but...Well, at first there was a degree of prejudice and distrust on both sides between...The religion thing, as I was Islamic then, despite Nandor being Orthodox...We were one of the first mixed couples..." proud smile. "And what with the Turks having driven her to suicide and Vlad to his hideous curse and suffering...But over time we became friends. Very persistent girl, Elisabete. As was I." slight proud beam.
"Oh, no..." shaking of head to question. "Elisabete dearly wants to be back with Vlad/Philippe...She chose that name for him, by the way. And she has done her best, including trying to be as good a mother to Althea as possible from the beyond. But Redemption is a tricky business and Vlad had many crimes to atone for and many enemies seeking to stick it to him, including the demon who cursed her into her own vampire existence for a time. Far more enemies than my Nandor, really...And understandably, given Vlad's dark journey. Though that Colin Robinson was something special as enemies go..." grim stare. "Were I not concerned for my Nandor's soul, I would truly make his Unlife in Hell, hell."
"But, alls well that ends well, I suppose. As I said...Twenty rebirths, but these things take time. Don't tell him though, I wouldn't want to embarrass him in public. Besides...It'll be a nice little secret present for our first, fifth, or fiftieth reincarnate anniversary." Beam.
Back to original interview...
Nandor, fondly beaming at Martha/Marwa... "I am so lucky. I feared no one cared...That I was unloved and unmourned...And here, all the time, not only my wonderful friends, my true, if sort of foster, son Guillermo, but this..." he bows head, waving off camera and moving just out of view.
"It does say something for arranged marriages." Martha/Marwa notes, patting him.
"Wait...Those boys of yours...?" he eyes her.
"Couldn't say, dear." She shakes head. "It's possible...They're certainly as big jerks as your boys, my stepsons, Sirhan and Benji were. But, as you recall we never had a child together. Yet... So, unless they came to separate us, for their moms...?" shrug. "I can't see them going to the trouble of reincarnating just to be the same selfish pains in our ass."
"Yet...?" Nandor stares.
"It's amazing what they can do for women in their forties who want to give birth nowadays." Martha notes.
...