Author's Note-taking a brief break from the story arc I am currently working on which is a multi part one. Wanted to put this one up in the meantime and I hope you enjoy and I wanted to try something with humor, angst and everything else. Thank you for reading and please review!
PART ONE
Chapter 1
It wasn't often they enjoyed moments like this but this evening found the pair going walking the streets hand in hand, enjoying the balmy breeze. She had wanted to come down to the place called "Antique's Row" for some time now but funnily enough, thanks to the onslaught of foes that had come after them time and time again, the chance hadn't been able to come up. She had, upon being surprised at his offer to come with her, made a offer to Eric
"I think you qualify as an antique, I wonder what the going rate would be for one of you. Maybe I can do some inquiries." she grimed smugly as they had departed at sundown. Knowing he wouldn't let her go alone, it was amusing to her to see him going to places like this. It was certainly not in his wheelhouse. Unless they happened across a treasure trove of old swords and other weapons he may have used in his past.
"No one could afford me. I am a one of a kind deal." he had retorted as they departed for the new artsy, crafty part of town. Certainly this wasn't his thing. Not by a long shot. But there was no way he was letting her out of his sight in new territory and she had asked him to join her as the rest of her friends she had hoped could come had other plans.
She rolled her eyes at his comment and had to admire that he was willing to go with her to somewhere different, somewhere not anywhere near his realm of interest. But he was doing it for her and she was grateful for it. They had parked in a typical parking lot area and as they strolled the streets of the shops and eateries. Part of her had regrets that they couldn't share a meal together ever and though the daily nip of one another was a tasty treat, she wondered what things would be like if they were a more "normal" couple. Not that she wasn't grateful about her life now, but it was kind of fun and amusing to think about what life could be with the change here and there. Shaking off her reverie, she led him into one shop after another, oohing and aahing at some of the furniture she saw, some of the knick knacks. And while he made polite remarks here and there, she knew he was bored out of his mind, having found not even a knife amongst the treasures.
"I suppose Louisiana isn't exactly a treasure trove for old Viking stuff…or even medieval stuff, that would have been a acceptable substitute." Eric sighed as she led him by the hand to their last stop, a building made from a old railcar and looking creepily of place, even amongst the other whimsically designed and decorated buildings around it. "This place shows promise….." he muttered as he eyes the stone ravens over the doorway. "A little gaudy but its not anything with…" he shuddered "Doilies and vanities and-" he was stopped by a jab to the ribs.
"I am gonna make it all worth your while, I promise. " she said as she led him into the building, which was lit not by light but by candle. The door shut behind them with a silent click and there was something in the air that unnerved them both as they stood in the shop, seeing things in glass cases, from regal jewelry to goblets to gauntlets. And yet, they were both drawn to a room that was far off to the back of the building, a distance that was impossible considering that the building appeared quite small from the outside. And it was when they reached the room, they saw more various objects, all looking like average run of the mill things in antique shops and the light that had drawn them here was being watched over by a hunched figure. Who turned around to face them, with a friendly and yet unnerving air about him.
Chapter 2
"I was wondering if you were going to come." the stooped man said as he moved, revealing the source of the glowing light that had pulled the two over. It was a basin that rose to about four feet in height, filled with a mist covered liquid that looked like liquid rose gold. "I mean neither of you harm but I heard your thoughts and thought it may be fun to entertain them." he said, looking at Sookie, who looked confused. "You wonder how things may be if some aspects of your lives were different. "I thought you two deserved some moments of levity and that is what I mean to happen. You are free to leave if you want but….I have seen you both suffer and if I can provide some….levity…..that is one of the greatest gifts that I think you could get at this point in life."
"Who are you?" Sookie demanded, her hands ready to unleash her power, thought she was careful not to let it show. Not unless eh felt she had to.
"I was a friend of your grandfathers'…..the name is Gemly and I am not long for this world. One of the last things I wanted to do was provide some goodness, solace for those who suffer. This place is unseen to anyone who I don't want seeing it and after tonight, it will be gone. Forever. I left Faery some time ago hoping to meet you somehow….and I feel that this could be the levity I know you seek. It will be my last act before I pass on to the afterlife."
"I think I would prefer having a snack about now." Eric said as he gently pushed Sookie behind him and prepared to get a little messy. But he was stopped by a gentle hand on his back and turning to face her, he looked somewhat annoyed. "haven't we learned better by now? Not to trust strangers? A basic lesson I think…..people who randomly come into our lives have never brought anything good with them….." he frowned. "You read his mind, didn't you?"
"And he can't hide anything from me. He speaks the truth." she replied as she walked over to the basin and the old faerie. "I still want proof. If you want to show us alternate realities…..what would it be like, say, if the two of you lived the average life in the suburbs. I know you have thought of that on more than on occasion." he nodded at the basin. "This is more than a reflecting pool, it has the power that put you into your most interesting dreams and wishes. But it is perfectly safe. Think if it as going into a virtual reality and you can exit whenever you wish. Just say the word. Shall we visit suburbia?" Gemly said. And as she pored through his brain with her powers, trying to find even a hint if malicious intent, she opened her eyes and looked at her Viking.
"There's nothing he can hide from he and there is nothing for him to hide. He is dying, I feel it and he wants to give us….a escape from reality for a evening. I think it could be fun…."
"Fun is taking a guys head and ripping it off with one flick of a hand." Eric replied with a slight pout, knowing hw was going to be dragged along on this whatever the hell trip this was gonna be. But she felt something there, that he was intrigued by the prospect of seeing what their lives could have been in other forms. And as much as he was putting on the bad boy, vicious vamp airs, she knew the decency there too.
"it will be fun." she pressed.
"Its always fun and games until people stop screaming." he quipped and sighed. "Let's do this then."
"I've enough magic for a few scenarios…the first one will see the two of you in suburbia and I must tell you that once there you will be without powers. You will be-"
"Ordinary. And we are certainly far from that….to think of me in a little house, with a sad little job and….." he took note of the increasingly amused look on her face. "You really are loving this aren't you?"
"And we haven't even begun yet. Let's do this!" she said and a equally amused Gemly raised a hand and the mist rising from the liquid rose and spread around the whole of the room and then there was nothing but darkness.
TO BE CONTINUED
