PART ONE

Chapter 1

It was a rare occurrence but Pam had invited them over for a lazy evening. To enjoy some drinks and play some cards. Poker, mainly and though Pam had teasingly suggested it be the strip variety, Sookie had laughed. Not that there wasn't some seriousness in the suggestion. But here they were, in the black and rose gold decorated room that made up just part of the plush accommodations that was the basement level of Pam's mansion. The table was set up before a Italian marble bar with expensive leather bound barstools. Only the best liquor was there on the shelves, though there was more blood on tap than booze, considering how rarely Pam entertained guests who could imbibe alcohol. Still, she kept the stuff around on the rare night she felt like hosting a little fun evening. And lately, she had come to feel more hospitable. She of course blamed Sookie for softening her as she had. That being said, Pam was still no one to tangle with or piss off. That, would be one's greatest regret. Everyone was at the table, each guest being their own bartender as Pam drew the line at working the bar. She told her friends and family she was "off the clock."

The table was set for and there was some snacks in the cupboard under the bar area, next to the two mini fridges where some of the other drinks as well as ice was stored. It was as if they were in a real bar-slash-club and yet they were safe from any drunken idiots or fangbangers. At least here, they could be in a much more private, cozy setting. Down the hall were the bedrooms and a closet that would put most people to shame. It was the only closet around that actually had three levels to it, one below basement level and one at ground level-light tight, of course, on the ground level. It said a lot that she was already about to convert another bedroom into another wing of her massive closet but now that Willa had her own manor house down the street, there was more room for Pam and all the better for her clothing addiction. Though as far as shoes went, well…..that was another story.

"I think this was a good idea and I am kinda surprised…..you going along with it. We don't get to spend time together really. Unless its fighting some witch or some magical freak who wanted to annihilate us. Things like that. Unless somehow trouble finds us in a innocent card game." Willa said to Pam as the group milled around the bar, picking and choosing what they wanted to drink-or eat, in Sookies case, she being the only one who could actually enjoy the nuts, pretzels and other typical treats one could find at a gathering like this.

"Who says there can't still be a bit of trouble?" Sookie said as she poured herself a whisky sour, sliding a bottle of blood down the bar to where Godric was seated. It was odd that he had decided to join in on the evening, he preferring solitude and a good book. But ever since he had been brought back from the dead-again-he wanted to make things count even more this time around and he had even taken to preferring the synthetic blood over the real thing, much to the amused disgust of Eric, who would only drink the bottles stuff if there wasn't any other option. Before they had come over, he had taken a sip from his favorite supplier and as Eric caught Sookie's gaze, he winked and licked his lips, as if she needed reminding that he had already snacked. She rolled her eyes as she replied. "Even when he's confined within the walls of our home, he is trouble."

The group laughed as they left the barstools to take seats around the table and as the cards were dealt by the hostess, everyone took to glaring at the hands they were dealt. Chatter turned to a little trash talk before something out of the blue came up form a innocent comment made by Sookie. "Its funny how you all have had to change with the times….sometimes I forget the long lives you've had…what you've had to learn. Like learning to drive…..and about using telephones….oh, good god…I wish I had been around when you learned to drive….and when did you learn English 'cause I know for a fact that isn't your first language." the group roared with laughter, save for the one being teased and Pam, who was sitting beside him and Sookie.

"Well, I can't speak for his sense of fashion regardless. Imagine, him stuck in his Viking clothes in the roaring twenties." Pam sassed as she grinned at a incredulous looking Eric. "Maybe instead of playing cards…we take a trip down memory lane."

Chapter 2

"Ooh, this is starting to get a little juicy…." Willa said as they all finished the hand they were playing, clearly the topic of conversation being what was to take over this evening of relaxation and revelry. "I feel like I still don't know a whole lot about the guy who literally made me who I am today and I feel like I really need to know more. No matter how…embarrassing some of the facts may be. I am willing to bear that weight." she said with a sly grin. "I, for one, would be interested in knowing how you came to get into this country undocumented. Would hate to see the government crack down on illegal immigrants." there came another roar of laughter from the small group surrounding the incredulous and slightly amused looking Eric, who set his cards down

"So…we're done with cards, then….time to dredge up the past, huh? He said as he watched the others follow suit, tossing their cards carelessly down and leaning back in these seats, waiting for a even better time than they had originally imagined. "And by the way, it isn't hard to figure out my legality in the country. A little glamouring of the right people can go a long way. That being said, I still had paperwork to fill out regardless and it was a bear. And yes, I have official documentation that denotes me an American citizen and I do all the came crap any other American would do. Pay taxes, botch about the government….I think I have fit in well over the years, if I don't say so myself."

"One would be foolish to try to deport the likes of you anyway…" mused Willa, to which the rest had to agree.

"So…..what else can we get the juicy details about…." Sookie msued. "I mean, I could fish out the details myself with my enhanced fairy mojo but I would prefer you to just spill….I'm enjoying myself already. I just home the customs agents never come calling." she teased.

"You're enjoying yourself aren't you?" he asked with a blank look on his face, though there was that mischievous look in his eyes that told her that he really didn't mind any of this. Not really. That being said, this group of people would likely be the only ones that got to know the truly…more colorful learning experiences of his past. "I could pick so may topics to talk about but that itself would take a thousand years and I think many of my experiences have been like any other persons. Not that I am just "any other person"" he added with that typical swagger he had always had.

Godric smirked and entered the conversation after finishing his second bottle of bottled blood. "I have some tales of my own…the stories I could tell you could fit dozens of volumes, easily. Though, I have to say, together, we had to change with the times, whether it be in terms of dress, appearance or mannerisms…actually, I would have to start with that. Manners."

The group looked sarcastically aghast. "He has…manners?" they all said in unison, while the one in particular sat and rolled his eyes.

"I can behave myself as you all well know, whenever I need to." Eric said in amused protest. "But I can't help wonder what my dear friend is referring to. Which moment in our history he wants to delve into.

"Acclimating to a changing world around us has never been easy and with me being older than he, I had to learn fast and then had to teach him that one couldn't behave like a Viking in high society. Eric, what do you think of when I say London 1350?"

It took a half second for the Viking to remember the moment his maker was referring to and that bit of amusement seemed to fade somewhat, replaced by what looked almost like…..embarrassment. "Let me spin the tale of that particular moment. Not one of my finer times, admittedly but you all have to know that one can not just forget the way they were brought up. And the culture I was raised in…..well, its always been and always will be, a part of me. He sighed as he took a trip down memory lane.

London 1350

How he had gotten them invited to the exclusive celebration was something the younger vampire hadn't figured out but the rumor was that the best tasting guests were to be there, the cream of the crop of the society. Princesses and princes, kings and queens, all gathering for this special occasion. It was the yearly celebration when all the higher-ups met up and socialized. Drank and eat almost like gluttons. But now, for they were all only the most refined. But the travelers were weary, needing a decent meal and it was fortuitous that they had reached this place, though the older vampire had warned the younger one many times over that discretion was key if they were to survive.

"This is your first party….in a place such as this. Nothing against your old ways, but the times are changing and I can only hope you practice the ways I have been trying to knock into that thick head of yours. Stubborn as you are, we need to eat and with the amount of disease raging, the blood in those we have had on the way has become repugnant. We need something purer if we are to survive. One mistake could reveal us and we can not afford people looking out for us." Godric paused to take in the attire that he had procured for himself and his progeny, both looking perfectly suited to attend a royal festivity such as this. "And Don't let your other appetite get us unto any troubles either."

Eric said nothing but smoothed down his immaculate white ruffled shirt, a navy vest over it and black trousers. Black boots were on his feet and there was no mistake that he radiated power and wealth. With the sun being set and the lighting to be only by flames and torches, no one would have any suspicions of the unique nature of the pair that were traveling through. That Godric had stolen a invitation from a glamoured and long dead messenger was now they had managed to be "invited" to the party, Godric explained as they approached the castle that night. They presented their invitations and no doubt their identities didn't math the names on the papers. It mattered not as with a little glaouring here and there, no one was the wiser as to who these two really were.

It was a short time later, when the two were split up and trying to find a suitable…entrée. After he himself had managed to procure and discreetly take a young lady dressed in lilac up and away from the party, Godric had let her return to the party later, clean and unscathed, no memory of her encounter. But the fact that he was sensing something…off through his connection to his progeny gave Godric pause for a moment before he reached the highest room on the palace, a tower, where he barged into the room, finding not just one or two women with his progeny….but four. All had been sampled in more ways than one and it was only because he had just arrived that none of them were dead. Yet. And amongst the blood and bare skin was a very pleased with himself looking Viking, the room clearly having been trashed in that which had happened.

"I thought I told you discretion….to blend in with your surroundings. That were we were to stop here for a meal and be on our way before the dawn approaches. And yet here I see you have very clearly not allowed my teachings to sink into your head." Godric started towards the bed and firmly started moving the women off and away from Eric. "Its going to be quite a mess to clean up, glamouring them and healing them….what have you to say for yourself?"

The Viking looked unaffected by the lecture. "I…couldn't help myself. Old habits die hard. Back home I had-"

"You aren't home and will never be back home….I have started seeing the error of my ways and will not let you fall into the habits I fell in. I was a monster and will not let you devolve into one yourself. I command you to heal these women, clean yourself up and I am afraid we shall need to go out the window. Too many people about the place and I can only hope that this day will be the one that you finally master your other ability/ otherwise, you are gonna be pretty sore…..today is certainly a learning day for you and I am afraid that its going to be some time before I can even think about releasing you. You are too headstrong…mind you that was one of the reasons I wanted to spare your life but….." Godric sighed. "What have I gotten myself into?"

Back to the present

"Caught with your pants down…even back then…." Willa said with a giggle as Godric finished the tale…..almost finished.

"I had also hoped to start teaching him the finer points of flying, as it took some time for that to awaken...this particular evening was just not that time, as he managed to hover and wobble for a few moments….before…"

"Ok, ok, so I fell, landing on a sculpture. And to this day I don't understand the fascination with cherubic angel statues. What with their pointed wings and…." if he could blush with embarrassment, this would be one of the rare moments where he would have done so and the others stared with mouths agape as he finished the events of the….interesting day from so long ago. "Suffice it to say, back then there weren't specialists to deal with my…temporary affliction and it was Godric who was forced to help….remove the piece of stone that was lodged…" he trailed off, much to the delight of the group around him, the laughter bringing even Pam to bloody tears of amusement. Sookie herself, had tipped over in her seat as they braced for another step down memory lane.

"I don't ever want this night to end….come on, who else has a fun story to share?" Sookie asked, through giggles.

"Oh great, this night has turned into a comedy roast of me…..wonderful." Eric said, leaning his head back to stare at the ceiling, though there was still that amused look in his eyes and even he couldn't help but suppress a smirk. He supposed after everything terrible that had happened as of late, this was the kind of therapeutic evening they needed. "Who's next?"

TO BE CONTINUED