Dahlias POV
Ugh, I was nervous. Its not like I hadn't dealt with supernatural beings before, I just hadn't dealt with a sheriff before. Technically I didn't have to now, I just felt it would be a good idea since I was planning to open a vampire business in Shreveport. I didn't want to step on any toes in a area I didn't know. Moving away from New Orleans was exciting, after Katrina everyone was struggling to rebuild. I couldn't rebuild what I had lost, so why not move? So now I was headed to some tourist bar to meet the sheriff of area five. I've heard stories about Eric Northman, not all were flattering, but as long as he would okay my business opening, I could move and start over. After the short drive from my crappy hotel room, I was at Fangtasia, heh thats kinda funny. I bypassed the line and went straight for the bored looking "vamped" up woman. "Hello, I'm Dahlia, I have a meeting with Mr. Northman." I felt even more nervous as she eyed me like I was gum stuck to her shoe. I tried to not squirm, I failed. She may have smiled, I couldn't tell it happened so fast. "Follow me", she said and she didn't even wait to make sure I was following. She stopped at a booth and pointed to a seat, "Here", and then she was gone. I exhaled very slowly as I sat down. The anxiety over this meeting was starting to crush me. A bouncy young waitress hopped over towards me, "Hi, Mr. Northman will be out soon, may I get you a drink?" "Uhhh yeah, Coke?", "Okay" said bouncy, "I'll be right back with your Coke". She hopped away and I couldn't help but think if she had smiled harder she would have chipped her teeth. A few minutes passed and hoppy brought me my drink and luckily a cocktail napkin. Normally this wouldn't be important, but I felt like I was going to vomit from the nerves. I started shredding the little napkin with fangs printed on it into a small pile. I was seeing how small I could get the pieces of the napkin before placing them in the pile. I was so focused on this stupid task that when Eric finally walked over and introduced himself I gasped and blew tiny napkin bits all over myself and the table. Classy... That's me, yep. "Oh! Excuse me, sorry", I bolted straight up ,and banged my knee on the table. "Oww, Hi Mr. Northman, I'm Dahlia Clio." I hadn't really looked at him until that moment, and I admired myself greatly at my ability to keep my mouth closed. Eric was the most beautiful man I had ever seen, and that is saying something. I also didn't try and shake his hand, another point for me. "Hello Mrs. Clio, please sit." Eric gestured back to my seat that was covered in shredded napkin, "Yes and it's just Ms. but please just call me Dahlia," I tried to scoop as much of the napkin mess into my hand, and off my seat as possible, I brushed the pieces onto the table and pretended they didn't exist. Eric didn't look amused at all. "So, Dahlia, why did you set up this meeting?" He looked bored. "Well Mr. Northman, I am trying to open a vampire business in this area, and I thought it would be in my best interest to speak with the sheriff and introduce myself first. I don't want to have a bad start here." says the woman who just blew confetti everywhere. "You're not a vampire, you don't have to answer to me." He obviously was not pleased I had taken up his time. While I didn't want to piss off this vampire, I wasn't scared of him. I wanted to make a good impression, hopefully get some feed back on my business, and see what the Shreveport vampire community was like. In New Orleans the usual vampire community, or my usual vampires, had disappeared and new ones came in. I was assuming there had been a shift. While I didn't know much about vampires, I knew more then most. Being a supe you learn what means what, and who to talk to. "Dahlia, what kind of vampire business are you planning to open?" Eric asked. "Well, it's catered to vampires who date humans. See I had the idea years ago. I had vampire friends and when I would meet their human companions, the companions would often mention how strange they felt going to restaurants with their vampires. This would be specific to that demographic. I've found a way to make blood sorbets and even make items similar to custards just using blood. That way the vampires could hopefully enjoy something new and their human companions wouldn't feel so, I guess the word is exposed. The sorbets are made from specific bloods. I'm sure you're aware of the stock of humans that eat only specific food items so their blood has different tastes and textures. The shop will lean more towards confectionery items for the humans, but that's not as fascinating as the vampire items. At least I don't think so." I managed to sound like I knew what I was talking about so I allowed myself a small smile. Eric didn't really change his expression, he still looked bored. After what seemed like several minutes he finally said, "Yes that sounds acceptable. I will send Pam, my second, over to get your information." With that he stood and walked away. I didn't watch him, instead I cleaned my damn napkin mess up before I could leave. The bored woman from the door came back to the booth, I assumed this was Pam. "Do you have a business card?" Well hello to you too, I fished around in my purse and handed her my business card. She took it and left. I then allowed myself to look around the bar. It was actually pretty tacky and the humans throwing themselves at vamps was kinda sad. I noticed Eric was at the bar talking to a blonde woman, she was looking at me. Her eyebrows were furrowed, I couldn't tell if she was angry or not. I did a nervous wave and smile, and decided it was time to bail. I left a small tip and exited Fangtasia. Now I could officially start over. Time to find a house.
Sookies POV
I cant believe I was driving to Fangtasia right after work. I had stopped by home first. I refused to shower or even dress nice. Eric had called me earlier and said he needed to speak with me and the Nevada vampires had finally left. I was pretty sure this was about him regaining his memories. We still hadn't sat down and talked since then. I couldn't really tell if I wanted to or not. After everything that happened in the past month, maybe I didn't need to be around men for a while. Yet here I was heading to Shreveport. I parked my car out back next to Eric's corvette and walked past everyone waiting to get in. Oh lovely, Pam was at the door, well at least I didn't have to stand out here and explain who I was. "Sookie, don't you look lovely", Pams face said otherwise. Good. "Pam I'm just here to talk to Eric.", I was already walking in. "Well Eric is in a meeting, you can wait at the bar." That stopped me, "I thought the Nevada vamps had gone home?", "Oh they have", she was smirking, that's not good, "He's meeting with a woman". She turned me to where I could see the woman. She was a very pretty woman, I can admit that much. She had black hair, I couldn't tell how long but it had to be at least past her elbows, her face was soft and heart shaped. She hadn't over done her makeup and she had dressed professionally. No boobs hanging out. Good. I decided to try and listen in on her and see what she was up to. Yes, I probably shouldn't but I was a little curious, and maybe a smidge jealous. I tried to focus on her and I couldn't, it was like static. I tried again and it was like a heat signature but it wasn't red. It was green. Green, warm, and fuzzy. I had forgot Pam was standing there. "Sookie, doesn't she look lovely, maybe Eric will agree". She tried to look sincere. Tried to anyway. "Pam, I cant hear her, what is she", I couldn't help but ask. Pam looked confused, "She's a human Sookie". "Not like any human I know." I slumped over to the bar and ordered a gin and tonic. I tried not to keep looking at the woman with Eric, but I wanted to know what she was, and what she wanted with him. Not that it was any of my business. Ugh, I should have stayed at home. Maybe I should have touched up my makeup. What was I thinking. I didn't even want Eric. I'd been shoving him away for months and now just because there was a woman talking to him I was having feelings. I don't know what kind. Label those under deal with later. "Hello lover", Eric had walked over while I was brooding, and I hadn't noticed. Granted he could sneak up on me easily. I jumped a lil. That earned a chuckle from Eric. "So who is the woman and what is she." I tried to sound like I didn't care, I don't think that's how it sounded. "Are you jealous lover?" He was grinning his evil grin now. "Seriously Eric, what is she?" It was bothering me more then I wanted to admit. I'd never experienced that before. "Her name is Dahlia Clio, she wanted to check with me before opening a vampire business in the area. It sounds like an interesting idea I will admit" He was watching her. I turned towards her and watched as well. She was examining the bar. I tried one more time to listen in and I was met with the same weird greeness. "Eric she's not human." She had noticed me staring at her and given me a strained smile and wave. That must be what my crazy smile looked like. I looked at Eric and he turned his face to mine, "What do you mean shes not human? Shes not a dog or any other animal, she doesn't smell supernatural." He had furrowed his brow and I couldn't help but notice how attractive that furrowed brow was. "Neither does Niall unless he wants too", I had turned back but Dahlia was gone. Well I'm sure we'd find out eventually what she was. She didn't seem to be a problem, but they usually don't show up waving signs. I looked back at Eric and he had put his bored mask back on. I wonder what he was thinking about in that blonde head of his. "So, you called me to come down here? What did you want to talk about?" Eric smiled, "Lets go to my office so we can speak privately." I thought this could be a bad idea but I followed anyway. After he closed the door he spun around and I felt like a mouse being cornered by a very hungry cat. "Whoa there bud, we're just talking". He glided towards me and stared down at me, "That's all you want to do lover?" He'd taken my hand and was kissing it. I yanked it back, "Stop calling me that!" I flopped down on the loveseat in his office and he had sat on his desk. "The Nevada Vampires have gone home, all but Victor Madden. He has been left to over see New Orleans. Hopefully he can get it rebuilt. Louisiana is losing revenue. Vampires are moving, and so is the tourism." He could have said all of this over the phone. I was ready for bed. and I still had to shower. I had spaced out while he was talking, He was staring at me like he had asked me a question. "What? I'm sorry Eric but I am tired and this is something you could have called about, I drifted off." He made a face. I don't know what the face meant, it had passed so fast. "I'm sorry to bore you Sookie, I thought you would want to be informed that the danger has subsided for the moment, and that we could spend a moment together." Ah, that's what he was after. "Look Eric, I'm glad you are safe and all, and I know you feel better remembering what happened when you stayed with me, but it doesn't automatically change anything. I don't know if it will ever change." I was so tired. Tired of supes, tired of talking, tired of thinking, just tired. Eric looked thoughtful for a moment, "Understood. I will call you again soon. Be safe." His eyes felt like lasers boring into my skull. "Mmm Hmm K talk to you later." And with that I snuck out the back to avoid Pam and I headed home to go to bed. Maybe I'd stay there for a week or so.