"There is nothing like a fresh start." Morrison Vinois stood with her hands on her hips, debating exactly how to move from her old life to her new one. She had been a prominent writer in Boston, following the Vampire Rights Amendment process very carefully. Of course, technically, it wasn't Ms. Vinois that had documented the progress, rather a Ms. Anne Stoker. But she had abandoned that, like most other things she had ever attempted, in her unending quest for freedom. Something was constantly pushing her forward; she considered herself a nomad, for lack of a better term. She found Bon Temps through her friend Mandy, and not in a conventional way either. Mandy was something of a fangbanger. And she had visited the apparently notorious Fangtasia on one of her many trips to "document vampire behavior." Right…
But there she was, facing her new home- an ancient Gone with the Wind-esque mess. Something about it called to her, and so she bought it without a second thought. She turned back to her truck and the few boxes of odds and ends that she brought with her from Boston. Slowly, she dragged the crates to her house, dropping them on the large, albeit dilapidated front porch.
"I can't work without music." She stated to no one in particular. She silently thanked God that she remembered her iPod, and began to break down the task at hand.
As the sun faded in the sky, the boxes began to dissipate; things found their new homes around the house. It looked empty, but time would provide Morrison with the proper things she needed to fill the house. She set up her speakers and allowed the music to gently fill the night surrounding her. Alone, she was left to her thoughts.
What was I thinking? Moving out to east bumble fuck Louisiana on my never ending march for freedom. I have serious issues. I can't stand southern accents, the people talk too slowly. I like life speeding, here, it's like I've got all the time in the world and nothing at all to do with it.
Morrison sighed- she was getting overly dramatic over one move. The worst possibility was that she just moved on again, she didn't have roots anywhere, what was one more place she couldn't call home? Her stomach distracted her from her thoughts. Hungry? She recalled a sign for a bar or diner someplace near here. She aimlessly considered the idea while her stomach just growled more.
"Fine." She drove around for an hour or so, trying to remember where it was she'd seen the sign.
Upon entrance to the bar, she was overwhelmed with how homey everyone acted. Did they really know each other? A woman older than herself came up holding a menu.
"Oh hun, welcome to Merlotte's. You want a booth?" Morrison nodded. "Ah, right this way. And that's Sookie, she'll be helping you this evening." She pointed at the small blonde carrying a tray.
"Alright, thank you." Morrison nodded curtly to the red-head who'd helped her and turned to the menu, trying to act enthralled. None it really appealed to her, but who could turn down loaded cheese fries? The petit blonde bounded over and began to ask for her order, then cocked her head to the side.
"You're new to Bon Temps." It wasn't a question. Morrison eyed the woman suspiciously. She'd always been too cautious for her own good. People were generally a liability, why waste the time?
"Yeah, I just moved in today. Trying to adjust and all." Sookie smiled.
"I didn't reckon you were that new! Welcome to Bon Temps." Morrison found herself smiling despite herself.
"Well thank you." There was something slightly off about Sookie, she found. As though she was anticipating all that Morrison would say.
"What're you looking at? The loaded cheese fries? Oh gosh, those are probably the least healthy things on the menu. I'd get them." Sookie beamed. How did she know?
"Actually, yeah, can I have those?"
"Of course hun." All the southern hospitality was almost frightening. "What brings your to Bon Temps anyways?"
"Oh, I just needed a change of pace; Boston was growing dull, so I figured I'd mix it up a bit."
"Oh my… well what're you gonna do while you're here, or are you all set?" Morrison thought for a moment.
"Sooner or later, I'm going to need some money." She laughed lightly. "Sooner would of course be better." Sookie smiled.
"Well Sam's always looking for a new girl here at Merlotte's. You could probably work here if you like."
"I can only really tend the bar. I did that back home when I needed the extra cash." She couldn't figure out why she was telling a waitress her own life story. "But you've already got one of those." She inclined her head towards the woman behind the bar, "It's alright."
"No, no, no. Hm…" She paused. "Let me go put in your order, I'll be back soon." She bounced off towards the bar, leaving Morrison to her own again. What was wrong with her? She never ever opened up like that, she wasn't a people person. Something wasn't right. But then again, was anything right anymore? Morrison was staring off into the distance, deep in thought, when Sookie came back over.
"I never got your name! I'm Sookie Stackhouse." Morrison nodded in tilted her head in acknowledgement.
"I'm Morrison Vinois." Sookie cocked her head to the side.
"Morrison? I don't mean to be too forward, but isn't that a boy's name?" Morrison laughed, almost doubling over. The waitress looked taken aback.
"Well, I guess. My mother just had a wicked sense of humor and a huge fandom for the Doors." Sookie laughed softly.
"Right, well Morrison, give me your address, I'll stop by and give you a good welcoming party to my town." Morrison was more than a little shocked. Could she really give her address to this almost complete stranger?
"Well, sure." Morrison wrote her address on the place mat and handed it over to Sookie.
"We'll be over soon, tomorrow night actually!" Morrison smiled.
Wait, we?
