(A/N: This story is separate from True Blood and the Sookie Stackhouse books. The characters are not mine (except Margo and Mia)…I am only borrowing them from Charlaine Harris and Alan Ball. I am not keeping the story in line with the books or the show. No spoilers are intended. This is my first True Blood fic, so please go easy on me. I was wondering what the Vampire scene in my home state of Alabama would be like compared to the states we've already seen. With the encouragement of my fellow Trubie (and editor) Adreon, I decided to play around with it myself. This first chapter finds us in a familiar place, but we will eventually see the vampire world of Alabama. Hope you enjoy.)
Chapter 1: Lucky Coincidence
If her heart still beat, Margo's would have been racing. She was far more excited than she should have been. Fangtasia was only a bar after all. Still, this was place was like nothing she'd ever seen before. There were vampire bars in Hunstville and in some of the other places she'd been sent, but this was Fangtasia! This place was legend. She found herself tempted to buy a shirt, but couldn't decide if that would be cheesy.
Margo looked 20, and that would never change. Technically she was 25, but physically she would always be a short, curvaceous 20-year-old. Her light brown hair fell just above her shoulders. She was often disappointed she'd ever cut it that short. She hadn't thought about it not growing back, it always had grown back. Then again, she'd been alive before. "Thank God for hair extensions," Mia had told her while looking at the horrible cut she'd given herself. "We'll have it cleaned up, but you'll wear it like this for a few years," she commanded, "that should teach you not to be so rash with your decisions." Her dark green eyes darted back and forth across the bar reminding herself why she was here. She noted the tall blonde vampire seated out of the way, but still managing to be the center of attention. She knew this was Eric. Mia had told her about Eric. "Do not approach him unless you are summoned. If you are summoned, be polite. He is far older than I am. If you were to offend him you'd be burning a very powerful bridge."
Sitting at the bar she sipped her glass of O neg and laughed to herself as yet another fangbanger skulked away in disappointment. It was tempting, but she knew better than to give in to their requests. No feeding, Mia has been very clear on this rule. It was the only way to keep her newfound freedom. Not to mention, the signs were everywhere in several languages:
"Absolutely NO biting on the premises."
"Inga bita i lokaler."
"Pas de mordre sur les lieux."
"いいえ敷地内にかむしない"
She couldn't read all of them but the message was clear, keep the fangs to yourself.
She'd finished her drink before someone finally approached with a legitimate request for a dance. He was a shifter; she could smell it on him. He was handsome enough though. Built like a baseball player, Margo thought, not too tall, but broad in the shoulders. His dark brown hair curled under his backwards Saints cap and his tan skin made her miss those days sunbathing at Orange Beach. He was a pretty good dancer too. After a while Margo found herself having more fun than she'd had in a while. Then he had to go and ruin it.
"So Chere, what do you say you put away that fake shit and we go somewhere. I'll give you a taste of the real thing." He turned his head giving her a perfect view of his neck.
Margo laughed nervously. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't feed. I'll stick to this thanks."
"Oh come on," he begged. "We'll just slip off to the bathroom. Everyone does it here, you won't get in trouble."
Won't get in trouble. He didn't know Mia. If Eric or any of the other staff caught her and it got back home, she'd never be let out alone again. "Thanks, but no thanks." She wished she could glamour the idea out of his head, but she knew it wouldn't work on another supe.
"You know you want it Chere."
Margo's hand went to his throat before Robert could react and her fangs appeared. "I said NO!"
"Okay," he chocked, "I'm sorry. Please let me go." As she released him he stumbled backward and made a b-line for the door.
She made her way back to the bar and before she could order the bartender handed her a glass of O neg.
"Thank you," she said reaching in her pocket for cash.
"On the house," he replied. "To apologize for the shifter's rudeness."
Margo smiled and thanked him again. She wondered if he was truly being nice or if the staff had been told who she was. Either way, a free drink was always nice.
As she took her seat at the bar a tall red head approached.
"Hey Jess," the Asian man behind the bar said. "The usual?"
"Yes, please," she said in a think southern accent. She sunk down into the empty seat next to Margo and sighed.
"O neg with a twist of B positive."
"Thank you, Chow."
"I've never tried mixing them," Margo said to the girl.
"My maker suggested it," she said taking a sip. "The O neg was better than the others, but it still didn't taste quite right. This way you get a little more flavor. Wanna try it?"
"You don't mind?"
The red head shrugged her shoulders, "not like you're going to give me germs."
Margo sipped gingerly, not wanting a huge mouthful if it turned out to be disgusting.
"Not bad," she said honestly. "I'll have got start mixing them and see if I can find something a little more interesting. Thanks for the tip,"
"Jessica," she said politely.
"Jessica," she repeated. "I'm Margo. How long have you been mainstream?"
"From day one," she answered. "I was made a little over two years ago and my maker was already mainstream."
"Two years," Margo sighed raising her glass, "a fellow baby."
Jessica smiled from ear to ear. "Really! How old are you? I've never met another baby before."
"It'll be five years next month."
"This is so cool! I mean I have a couple of friends online that are babies, but I've never actually met one in person. Are you from around here?"
"No, just passing through."
"Oh," she said disappointedly, "where are you from?"
"Alabama," she answered plainly.
"Alabama," Jessica laughed. "There are vampires in Alabama?"
Margo laughed too; she got that a lot. "Yeah, I suppose there are vampires everywhere."
"What do you do there?" Jessica asked in earnest. "I mean are their places like this? Where do you hang out?"
"We have clubs and bars and some other vampire run businesses. Nothing like this though, I don't think anything can compare to Fangtasia."
Jessica smiled, "It is something else, isn't it?"
The two talked for a while, not noticing as the crowd in the bar grew then dwindled out again. They were deep in conversation when a beautiful blonde woman in a tight pink slip dress approached.
"Last call ladies, the sun will be up in just over an hour."
"Oh," Jessica said in shock. "Thank you Pam. I totally lost track of time."
"You know what they say," she said coyly eying Margo. "Time flies when you're having fun."
"Oh I'm sorry, Pam this is…"
"Margret, I checked her ID at the door.
"They call me Margo," she said as politely as possible.
"And I'm sure they call you often," Pam said with a grin. "I meant to stop by earlier but we got busy. Eric wanted to send the Queen his best wishes."
Margo blushed in embarrassment, so the staff had known whom she was.
"I'll pass that along." She said with a small bow. "Thank Eric for his hospitality."
"So you found our establishment enjoyable?"
"Oh yes," Margo said politely not letting her station overrun her age. "Her Majesty was right is considering franchising. Though I don't think any copy could match the splendor or draw of the original."
"Sweet of you to say. Well, I'll let you girls finish. Sleep tight."
As Pam left Jessica looked at Margo. "Queen," she questioned, "you work for a Queen?"
"Sort of," Margo replied sheepishly. "The Queen of Alabama," she paused…she hated this part, "is my maker."
Jessica's face lit up. "This is so weird. What are the odds that the first baby I meet was made by a Queen?"
"Yeah," she sighed, she never liked the attention this got her.
"No you don't understand," Jessica said excitedly. "My maker, he's the King of Louisiana."
Now Margo was the one lighting up. She had never met the progeny of another monarch. They had companions or human pets, but never progeny, at least not the ones she'd met.
"That is weird," Margo laughed.
The bartender, Chow, cleared away their glasses, reminding them of the time. The two girls exchanged email addresses and bid each other goodbye. Margo would have to hurry to get back to her host nest and go to ground. As she drove her rental car through the dark Shreveport streets she couldn't help but think of her lucky coincidence. Meeting a kindred spirit at a bar, she laughed to herself, how cliché.
(I hope you enjoyed it, more coming soon. Please read and review, I love to hear what people think.)