Venom, Fangs, and Fairies
Chapter 1 - Pam's Point of View
After spending another thankless evening of my existence entertaining these droll breathers, I could have almost wept for humanity. Metaphorically speaking of course since I really didn't care enough to wreck my make-up with blood tears. It wasn't as if I missed mortality, far from it actually. It was more like the world had gone to hell in a handbag, and not a fashionable kind. Things had just lost their sparkle for me. I couldn't help but feel like we were all stuck in another dark age of human history where all culture and worthwhile pursuits were lost to the dredges of soft politics and mediocre aristocracy.
Taking advantage of my distracting moment of Nietzsche-esque reflection, one of the vermin tried to skip the line only to find himself thrown across the parking lot courtesy of Chow who was assisting me on door duty. The former Yakuza enforcer snickered as the boy skidded to a stop, daring someone to be so foolish as to try that move again as his eyes swept over the crowd. The gate-crasher practically peed himself and sped off as quickly as he could in an effort to get away, as if we cared enough to chase him for being mind-numbingly stupid. I rolled my eyes and meaningfully glanced at the onlookers, assessing the idiots remaining in line for any of the trouble-maker's friends.
It was busier than usual due to the advertising we had been doing at the nearby colleges, something that seemed to draw out more beer-swilling fraternity brothers than any worthwhile ladies. I really had no idea why Eric even bothered trying to attract customers using those means. Since he insisted on trying to draw in college kids, the easiest thing would be to have him walk naked down sorority row. After giving the co-eds an eyeful, he could lead all those yummy college cuties here like the Pied Piper playing a far more interesting instrument. With the girls, the boys willing to pay ten dollars for a beer would inevitably follow, filling our coffers through the price of admission and expensive drinks.
I sighed, sizing up the eager humans waiting in the particularly long line for entrance. They weren't all that bad tonight I supposed. A couple that could use a shower perhaps, some overweight homely-looking tourists who would likely high-five each other on their way out after having "survived" the fearsome vampires who they had convinced themselves were dying to eat them up. All in all, there were only a few with the potential to make some vampire show a little fang, nothing special or entirely out of the ordinary.
After the crowd shifted a bit, I was surprised to see a lovely, fresh faced red-head in a slinky black mini-dress whom I had overlooked in the back of the line. She blushed as my ravenous yes settled on her and I was just about to call her to the front to get to know me a little better when an old, smashed-up, rusty red pick-up truck hauling a beautiful motorcycle in its cargo bed hastily pulled into the parking lot. Much to the amusement of those outside, it came to a screeching halt in front of the entrance and backfired loudly.
I smirked mirthfully wondering who would have the audacity to bring such a shamefully run-down, horribly dented automobile to a place like this - aside from Sookie Stackhouse of course. In fact, there was something oddly reminiscent of my favorite country bumpkin telepath playing out in the scene before me as a girl who was the picture of innocence stepped out of the driver's side of her ridiculous vehicle as if there was nothing strange about this scenario at all.
Stepping to the front of the crowd, exuding a sense of urgency into the air around her, she looked nervous and desperate to speak to me. Though that was nothing new for a human reaction to a vampire, there was something else about this situation that intrigued me. Through all of her obvious awkwardness, there was a hint of relative comfort with the girl despite the sound of fangs clicking into place at the sight of her as she approached.
In her skimpy tank-top and tight black yoga pants, she looked like a tasty little appetizer. Despite the aggressive posturing of every vampire outside who instantly recognized her as a tempting treat, there was a level of understanding in her eyes. It was like she expected our reaction to her intoxicating aroma and she just didn't care because she had better things to do. I liked that attitude very much, especially amidst the scolding looks of the humans she cut in front of to reach me which she dismissively ignored.
"I need to speak to Eric Northman right away. Is he available?" she asked quickly, seemingly unaware of the danger in the informality in which she made her request. She tightly hugged the putrid mustard yellow backpack she was clutching in her arms, somehow finding a modicum of comfort and confidence from the gesture because she was suddenly acting as if this was nothing abnormal. I registered Chow squinting at her and her odd behavior too, looking her over as if to see whether or not she was serious. Sure, everyone came to see my Maker in person, but few were so brazen to actually come right out and ask for his attention so transparently.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Cupcake, but everyone in this line came to see Eric. You're going to have to wait your turn just like the rest of them. I should warn you, however, we do check I.D. and you hardly look of age to come inside anyway." Chancing the opportunity to sink my fangs into her porcelain skin, I suggested in a nicer tone, "I have no issue with your age personally. You seem perfectly fit to decide for yourself what you would like to do with your body, but we do have your pesky human laws to abide by. Now, if you came here for more than just a peek at Eric, I'd be happy to see you at closing time. Take you out for a bite myself perhaps." I winked lasciviously to try to get a rise out of her, but other than a luscious red blush that spread across her snow white skin she didn't seem that bothered by my proposition.
In fact, she smiled genuinely at me, something that few humans dared to do. Despite her kindly reaction, there was only a slight hint of arousal at my proposal so I had to assume she was either taken or I was barking up the wrong tree. In either case, I could be quite persuasive when I was so inclined to show any interest in my dinner beyond the snap of my manicured fingers. There was something underlying about her, something unique that made me curious. Aside from her sweeter than normal scent, she had an aroma around her that I couldn't quite place. Whatever it was seemed like something I should have recognized but for some reason couldn't quite place it.
To my surprise, she responded sweetly, "Oh, so you must be Pam." Then she mumbled a little too low for anyone else to hear, "He warned me you might put the moves on me. He said I was just your type." Finding her voice, she shook off her thoughts and continued, "Here's the thing, I need to speak directly to Eric - urgently. It's like life and death urgent."
"Everything is with you breathers," I sighed, getting a little agitated with her vehemence even with the excitement she naturally seemed to bring out in all of the vampires in the vicinity. "Seeing as how I definitely wouldn't forget an angelic face such as yours, and since I don't recall telling you my name, care to tell me who 'he' is and how you came to know me by reputation alone?"
"Ah... um... a mutual friend of ours told me to come to Shreveport as quickly as possible. I need to see Eric immediately on his behalf. Your Maker will definitely want to hear what I have to say as it involves his Area specifically. There isn't much time until first light and if I don't tell him what kind of trouble is coming his way the life and death situation I mentioned would have more to do with all of you than it would for me. So, please, allow me to make my request of him personally and I'm sure you will be satisfied, if not slightly upset from the message itself."
"I don't know what is happening here, but if you think you can bully your way into a bar like this by making demands, little girl, you have been reading the wrong kind of vampire stories. As delicious as I might find you, come back once you've gotten a better understanding of exactly who it is you are dealing with."
"First of all, I'm not as young as I look and I do know exactly who I'm dealing with. So even though I get your whole scary vampy vibe, I really don't have time for this. It's dark out now and they may have picked up my scent already. So, let me put it this way instead, this is a very good deal for Eric since he would be both paying off a debt and gaining a favor in return."
"Oh, this is precious. Who exactly do you think Eric owes a favor to, human? You?"
"No, not me. Jasper Whitlock," she said assuredly, watching for my reaction. I steeled my expression, simply raising my eyebrow a little higher in an effort to keep her talking without showing my hand. "His brother Peter sent me here after the Major and I ran into some trouble a few states back. We were attacked and I waited until sun up when the others had to go and hide or risk exposure before I could get back on the road. I need to speak to Eric right now because I'm sure they're gaining ground now that the sun has set and there is less chance of… sparkling," she whispered the last word conspiratorially, and for good reason since those kind of vampires were still a secret.
Sparkling meant the venom kind of vampires which meant she had been heading this way with Major Whitlock to avoid those glittery fangless freaks. I knew Jasper was living incognito up North, but I couldn't imagine he would have returned to the South even if it was to seek out Eric for help. They really must have been in trouble to have risked Jasper being recognized for who and what he is. He was a legend to our kind for so many different reasons, and having him here was going to provide just the right amount of entertainment for me - the dangerous kind. I had been itching for a fight and wherever Jasper Whitlock went a fight was sure to follow.
"The Major, really?" I said thoughtfully, trying not to relay my elation at seeing my old friend to the girl. I really did have a crush on that cowboy, something Eric teased me about endlessly after his last visit with us about twenty years ago. "I haven't seen him in quite a while. I do miss that talented tongue of his... other parts too." To my surprise the virginal looking girl giggled knowingly and swatted at her backpack which she was cradling like a baby in her arms. She had obviously been on the receiving end of Jasper's incredible skills, which was surprising considering her pure appearance, yet not so when you took into account how similar both our tastes truly ran. Jasper was right in his statement to the girl because she was very much my type... and obviously his as well.
I continued, even more interested now, "If I didn't think we were too similar to get along for more than a few days at a time, I would consider switching teams for that yummy treat. Where is he exactly? If I am to understand you correctly, he is the one in need of this favor, yes?"
"Yes, he is. We both are actually. He's... um, around. Closer than you think actually," she said, shifting the backpack she had clutched in her hands. "That's why I need to see Eric. I have a situation that I don't know enough about to handle without some more experienced advice. Also Peter told me to deliver the bad news as soon as I came since time is of the essence. It involves someone named Bill Compton who lives around here somewhere, but the cryptic bastard wasn't sure where. I thought I should see Bill first since this whole thing is kind of his fault, but Peter insisted I needed the kind of help only Eric could provide."
"Peter can be very vague, but he is correct in that assessment. Even if it was just for giving you directions, Eric would be a much better choice than Bill. If the inept Mr. Compton has screwed up enough to get the Major to come out of hiding, then Eric does need to hear about this right away."
"I will also need some protection until Peter and Char come to get me, or until my brother and sister arrive since I called them on my way. At least until I get Jasper some help since there isn't much time before daybreak. The ones that are following us will have a greater advantage if I don't get Jasper some assistance by then. Please," she begged, her doe eyes actually making me feel a bit glamoured.
I had to give her credit, she was nothing if not convincing. I nodded and gestured to Chow to open the rope for her when she paused, looking fearfully back at the beat-up truck parked behind us as if waiting for a valet that had yet to come. I wondered how I missed it, but there in the passenger seat was a very still, large male figure, suspiciously donning a motorcycle helmet with a full tinted mask pulled down. Not knowing what she was getting at in regards to her motionless companion, I quirked an eyebrow and waited for some sort of explanation.
She drew in a deep breath and exhaled, stating quietly, "Please don't react too strongly to what I'm about to show you… just, please," she gestured at her backpack, "I really need your help." She unzipped her bag slowly, looking around to see if anyone could see the contents as if she was carrying a national secret in her ugly mustard colored school bag.
Shrugging, I stepped forward and looked inside curiously. As tough as I was, I couldn't help the small gasp which escaped my lips, my eyes widening dramatically at what I saw inside her bag. Looking back at me with unblinking burnt orange eyes was Jasper Whitlock, his messy honey blonde hair framing his face so perfectly I momentarily overlooked the significance of the detached nature of his head.
Struggling to reaffix my requisite mask of indifference, I managed to school my features the same moment the familiar smell coming off of the girl registered in my brain. Venom. She was covered from head to toe in Jasper's venom, holding onto his severed head in her bag like he was her last lifeline. There was something significant in the way she seemed worried her world was going to disappear if something happened to him. If sentiment like that didn't disgust me, I would have actually found it sweet.
Remembering that my surroundings called for an impassive visage, I assumed the role I was forced to play as to not alert the humans staring at my already odd reaction to the contents of her bag. Hiding my concern, I quipped tastelessly, "My goodness, that's one way to get yourself to the head of the line."
Aware of the same unwanted attention we were receiving, she smirked at my wordplay before quickly teasing me back. "Yeah, plus your favorite part is still intact."
It went against every fiber of my being but I laughed loudly at her remark, startling several regulars in line. Chow even flinched because of my unprecedented reaction to the ballsy girl. I had to admit that even though she was infringing upon my "scary vampy vibe" as she had put it, this mysterious young woman was growing on me.
Stroking her backpack lovingly, I watched as she relaxed slightly, obviously scared for the Major but relieved to have found someone willing to help. Jasper or Peter must have informed her about some previous visits with me and Eric for her to feel so confident that we would help in the first place. I already knew Eric would assist without question once he witnessed for himself what I had already seen and heard from the girl, especially considering whose head was in her bag. Whatever the strange circumstances that led her to Fangtasia this evening, it was undeniable that something bad was coming our way and this girl was simply the catalyst.
"Am I to understand that you have more 'luggage' than just what I'm seeing here?" I gestured to her bag, hoping I wouldn't need to ask her directly where the rest of the pieces of my old friend were. Thankfully she seemed to understand and nodded, averting her eyes completely to the covered figure in her front seat. Then she turned around and looked at the truck fully, peeking back at me over her shoulder wistfully. I finally understood what she was getting at as her eyes once again landed on her immobile passenger as if to silently convey her confirmation.
"I might need some help. The rest of my 'luggage' is a bit too heavy for me to carry by myself," she said with clear implications that I was to be the one to help her.
"Trust a girl to over-pack," I said as we approached the vehicle together. I tilted my head to get Chow to come over to assist, knowing how badly venom stained my clothing the last time I came in contact with it. She seemed hesitant at his approach and I nodded at her as comfortingly as I could to allay her fears, showing her that she could trust the former Yakuza by putting my hand on his shoulder.
She laughed slightly, looking like she felt awkward about it, but understanding that he was going to help her too. Chow actually seemed a little excited, having only heard the stories of the Major like most of the other vampires present. The girl whose name I should have already asked leaned close to my ear to whisper, "I'm sorry I'm a little nervous to let anyone touch him that I wasn't expressly told was okay. I have been awake for a few days without sleep so my brain is a little frazzled. But since I was told I could trust you, Pam, I will try harder to do that. It's just difficult to tell who the enemies are anymore."
"Understandable," I laughed. "It generally isn't in your best interest to trust a vampire." She flinched at my statement, clearly finding herself in a moment of déjà vu by the far-off look in her eyes.
Confirming my suspicion, she answered back ruefully, "Yeah, so I've been told a time or two." The girl then gripped Jasper's head tightly through the canvas school bag, shaking off whatever memory was troubling her. "Anyway, I need to warn you that after we were attacked, it took me a while to get him positioned in a way where it wasn't too obvious I was carrying around a dismembered body. There may have been some shifting during the drive if you get my meaning. For obvious reasons, I was only able to get his helmet on straight by propping him against the door to hold it in place. I truly hated sticking his head in my bag like this, but a severed head hanging from my rearview surely would have gotten me pulled over and I was speeding so fast to get here as it was. I really didn't want to explain... this... to the police." She gestured to the slumped over body in the truck.
To others he would have appeared to be sleeping, though why he was wearing a helmet in the truck would have likely drawn some attention also. If I wasn't so concerned about what was happening with the Major and the mysterious brunette, I would have found this whole thing quite amusing.
I put my hand on her shoulder in a gesture of support that made me feel very uncomfortable and… blech, human. "Sure thing, doll. I can't wait to hear more about how this happened to the Major in the first place."
"I'd like to start getting him fixed up first and then I'll tell all of you how this happened." I nodded at her, enjoying the level of devotion she was showing since she was obviously more concerned for the Major than herself. After I had gotten closer in proximity to her, I could see how worn out she was, gravely in need of some rest and possibly medical treatment since there was a faint smell of blood on her skin. No wonder she smelled so wonderfully aromatic. Oddly enough, she shared another similarity with Sookie, as I tried to memorize her extraordinary fragrance much the same way I had with my telepathic friend when we first met.
"Ready?" she asked. When she opened the door the Major's vulnerable body slumped towards us, the venom smell quickly permeating the air and overtaking the girl's sweet aroma. Every vampire in sight was staring at us in shock, whether they realized what the smell actually was I couldn't be sure. The sparkly venom-type vampires were not known to associate with us for very good reasons given the history between our two varieties, but Jasper's smell in particular was quite uncommon otherwise – unique to only him.
If any of them recognized the scent for what it was they would make a connection to the extent of Jasper's injuries, which was highly unprecedented that one of the venom vampires would be seen in such a vulnerable state. This girl took a big risk bringing him here in this condition and I think she knew that, as that would account for some of her unease with Chow handling the Major's body.
Even more eager now, Chow lifted Jasper's body, groaning and shifting it a few times after feeling the strain of the impressive weight of his lifeless 6'4" frame, though he probably weighed considerably less without his head. I chuckled a little at the thought as I began to survey the damage. Taking in his completely covered form, I was amused at the girl's obvious efforts for treating his body with considerable care. His black motorcycle helmet was duct taped to his fully zipped jacket and his gloves were secured to his sleeves to keep his body covered completely. I could only imagine the difficulty she had with this task since Chow seemed to be struggling with the heaviness of the body himself.
Finding no other way to grip him easily, Chow slung Jasper over his shoulder as I gave him instructions. "Bring him directly to the basement and move with care so an arm doesn't fly off in transit."
Chow dutifully followed my directions, but with nothing left holding it to the rest of him but a bit of tape, gravity claimed the headless helmet. It landed on the ground with a clatter and rolled right in front of the by-standing humans whose mouths fell open in unison, all completely aghast at the perplexing circumstances which allowed the body to be without its head.
As I heard Bella mutter "Damn" before unzipping and whispering her apologies into the backpack, I wondered how cognizant Jasper actually was of what was happening considering the way she was continually interacting with him. With the careful handling of his head, I assumed she was aware or had simply cared enough for him to be delicate with cradling his beautiful face.
She quickly collected the runaway helmet with a small, very vampire-like hiss at the people in line as they complained it was unfair she was getting in ahead of them after they had been waiting all night. She was an amusing little thing, seemingly coming off as a menacing threat to those humans who had made the commotion. To my great delight, she caused them to jump away at the feral sight of her wild, yet tired eyes. Recovering gracefully from her threatening defensive moment, she followed closely behind Chow as if tethered to the body of my friend by some invisible cord.
Watching her behavior proved quite interesting since I could only speculate as to the cause. I had heard much about mates from Peter and Charlotte on their last visit, but had never seen something as extraordinary as one of the most threatening vampires to have ever walked the Earth mated to a human who by all accounts was strikingly sweet and adorable, begging to be savored.
Knowing what she must have done to get him here safely, I determined she was also quite loyal and formidable for a breather. I could respect that knowing what was required to get the attention of a ruthless vampire, having secured that faith from Eric when he chose me as his Child instead of as a simple snack. Jasper was not someone to be won over easily, making the intriguing little human a breather I was actually eager to get to know better.
A/N: I don't make money from these characters or concepts, but will happily accept reviews on this story as compensation. Let me know if you have a question. I'd be happy to answer. :) Thanks!
