OMG people I'm alive! :D Yay! Anyway though, I know I seriously need to update my other stories, but this popped into my head and just wouldn't leave until I at least started it, so here it is! Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own True Blood or any characters other than Elsira.

I walked into the bar. It was a quaint little place called Merlotte's, located in the tiny town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. I looked around at the people and the decorations, the entire atmosphere of the place screaming small town.

A pretty, young, red head walked up to me just then and asked, "Table for one?" I nodded at whom I presumed was the hostess as she grabbed a menu and walked over to a booth next to one of the front windows.

"Can I get you something to drink?" she questioned.

I smiled and asked for a glass of iced tea, to which she said she'd be back with in a moment and that my waitress would be right over. I glanced out the window at the number of people who were making their way into the bar from their vehicles before looking back to the already pretty full room.

Within minutes the young hostess was coming back over with a tall glass of iced tea with a lemon wedge stuck onto the side of the glass and an older red haired woman was walking over, whom I again presumed, was my waitress.

"Do you know what you want, or do you need another minute?" she asked sweetly enough, although her voice was tight, almost as if she were worried about something.

"Ah yes actually, I think you can help me. I'm actually here to see Sam Merlotte. He and I go way back." I told her continuing to smile.

The red head got even more jittery. "What exactly do you want with Sam? I don't mean to sound rude or nothing, it's just that the last time a strange lady came around for Sam she damn near killed the whole town. Not that you're strange of course," she said to me trying to recover from the unintended insult, "I just meant a stranger to these parts." She smiled at me weakly.

A small laugh came bubbling up from my throat and my smile grew larger. "Don't worry, it's nothing like that. I was just passing through the town and decided to stop by and see how Sam's been doing since I last saw him."

She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, despite the fact that she was still tense. "I'll go get him for you." she said as she turned and walked off towards the back.

I looked around the bar once more at the people inhabiting the place. If Sam was anything like his ancestors then these people probably didn't know about his secret. I wondered what most of them would think if they found out what he truly was.

"What do you mean what he truly is?" A pretty blonde asked as she stepped from around the corner of the booth and looked me dead in the face.

I cocked my head at her in surprise. "A telepath...I haven't encountered one of you in centuries." I studied her as she studied me.

"Answer my question. What do you know about Sam?"

She definitely was insistent. "Well for starters I know a lot more about his gifts than he does. You know, being able to read each others minds makes little conversations like this so much easier."

"What d-" she paused a moment. "Can you read my mind?"

"Why yes, my dear I can." I raised an eyebrow at her and she sat across from me.

"What are you? I mean, you said about not having met another telepath in centuries, so you're not human. But I can hear your thoughts so you aren't a vampire." She seemed genuinely curious.

"Oh my dear girl, you can only read my thoughts because I didn't put up my guard. I wasn't expecting such a surprise as a telepath here in this little town." I told her because it was the truth. Telepath's were a rarity and it wasn't often they just announced their presence. The ability seemed to be dying out over the centuries.

"Arlene said you wanted to see me? What can I help you with?" A tall, rugged looking brunette said as he walked over to the table. He glanced over to the blonde.

"I'll be getting back to work now." A bell dinged and a voice called from the back. "I have an order up anyway." she smiled and waved at me as she stood and headed towards the kitchen.

Sam stared at me as he sat down. "Alright now, Arlene told me that you said you and I go way back, but I don't remember ever seeing you before. Who are you and what the hell do you want?"

I sighed. "Sam, would we be able to talk in your office? It's gonna be a long conversation and we're gonna wanna do it in private."

"Not until you tell me who the hell you are." He looked at me resolutely.

"You sure are a stubborn one." I narrowed my eyes at him. I didn't really want to do this in such a public place, but I didn't have much choice. Reading Sam's mind, I got a layout of where his office was and stood. "ακολουθήστε*" Walking towards the back Sam stood and followed, confusion lighting his eyes. I could see him trying to struggle against the invisible bonds forcing him to move forward but it was fruitless and panic soon joined his confusion.

Once behind the safety of his office door I released a breath and Sam could move again. He backed against the door and stared at me wide-eyed. "What do you want from me? Cause I'll tell you this, whatever it is, you're not taking it from me without a fight. I've killed a maenad before."

I looked at him in distaste. "Yes I'd heard Maryann was here recently. Such a loathsome creature, maenads are..." I took a seat in a chair poised behind the desk that sat against the wall. I looked back to him and spoke again, "Very comfy. Anyway though Sam, believe me if I'd wanted you dead, you would have been a long time ago."

His breathing became marginally easier, but he still didn't let his guard down. Wary this time of what I might be capable of, he asked again. "Who are you and what do you want?"

"I, my dear boy, am Elsira, and I am a Goddess." My tone softened a little. "I also need your help saving this world."

The disbelief in his eyes couldn't have shown any brighter.

*akolouthiste = Greek meaning 'follow'