Hey folks! Glad y'all are liking this so far...y'know how it is when you just have this thought nagging at you and you have to do something with it? This has been worming it's way out since DAG came out. And just know there's a reason for who's in NOLA, I'll explain at the end.
Haven't said it yet, but I don't own a thing, other than my two dogs.
Indira sat with Amelia comfortably on the bed. They were flipping through gossip magazines and laughing like old chums. I can't even remember Amelia meeting Indira before.
"Sookie, hello!" Indira said between giggles. "Your friend Amelia here is a real card. I'm surprised you don't bring her to Fangtasia more often."
"Yeah, Sook, I gotta start going with you more often," Amelia added, smiling genuinely. She must be the vamp charmer.
"So, Indira, I assume you're the watchdog?"
She looked hurt for a second before responding to the question. "I forget that you're friends with so many different supes, Sookie, but you should probably avoid using idioms involving animals when speaking with vampires. It's insulting."
I was actually shocked at my manners. Indira had always been nice to me, and my first reaction was to snap at her. "I'm sorry, Indira, I didn't mean it. I got startled when I realized there was a vamp in the room and I just popped off without thinking. How are you doing?"
"I am well, and yes I've been sent to check in on you. This is my vacation as well, and I'm not to 'hover,' Pam says. Just stay close by, keep my phone on, and let you know how to reach me if needed.
I was actually amazed at Eric for letting me have some space. Honestly, Indira was my most preferred option in terms of vampire chaperones, and knowing that she had her own recreational agenda eased the pressure off me quite a bit. We were only here for the weekend, but it was a trip I really needed. My phone rang, and I knew immediately who it was. Speak of the devil, you know.
"Hello?" I spoke aloud, while excusing myself to the balcony silently.
"Hello, Lover. I trust Indira arrived?"
"Yes, Eric, and I have to be completely honest with you. I'm shocked at how cool you're being."
"Cool, huh? I cannot recall having been called that before…at any rate, I just wanted to make sure you reached your destination safely and are having a pleasant time so far."
"I am. We saw Amelia's apartment. It's gutted."
"At least it's still standing to be renovated," he offered.
"True. There's still so much damage in some areas, it's really shocking to face."
"Yes, Unfortunately I can imagine. I don't think I could visit Sophie-Anne's old manor; it was splendid when she kept it up. Victor assumed new residences when he made the move."
"Speaking of, what's the word on my visit?"
Eric paused, and the silence was loaded.
"He requests an audience with you."
I groaned, not even attempting to hide my displeasure. "I don't want to do this alone, Eric. If we're pledged, doesn't that get me out of visiting him without you?"
"Lover, I had hoped the first time you vocally accepted our pledging would be under quite different circumstances than granting you a pass on a meeting with Madden. But yes, you would be within your rights to refuse on that basis. However, Indira can go with you, and I trust there will be no trouble. He's brash, but not so foolish as to attempt anything untoward while you're there."
"I trust you, Eric, and part of me knows I should go, but I really, really don't want to."
"Then don't, Dear One. You are under no obligations. What will you ladies be doing this evening?"
"We're hitting Bourbon just as soon as I get off the phone. Partying it up, y'know? Amelia wants to see strippers, but I'm trying to talk her out of it." I wish I could've played up that scenario to get a rise out of the Viking, but it was impossible for me to hide my disdain at the idea. Eric just chuckled.
"Oh my dear, dear Sookie. If I wouldn't be overcome with jealousy, it would almost be worth it to see your face with a stripper dancing all over you."
I had to smile in spite of myself. I really, really like Eric, just for who he is. Not just amnesiac Eric, not just Sheriff of Area 5, plain ol' Eric when he's just being himself. We said our goodbyes, and I returned to the room to find the girls looking at me expectantly.
Amelia had a sly grin on her face, and Indira spoke first. "So, what did the Mr. have to say?"
Amelia just giggled some more. I began to blush.
"Indira, he's hardly 'The Mr.' I don't consider a pledging a real marriage. But, he encouraged us to have a fun evening, and told me Victor Madden requests an audience."
Indira hissed a little. "I don't like him requesting to meet with my Master's wife. I must be honest. And though you don't see yourself as his wife, we do."
I let that sink in as Amelia excused herself to the restroom to spruce up before we went out.
"Indira, if I do decide to go, you'll—"
"Absolutely. Without question. You are my mistress now."
I couldn't choke back the groan. "No, Indira, I'm not yours or anyone's mistress. I'm just a barmaid from Bon Temps, that's all. Same ol' Sookie."
"Sookie, no matter what you say, I am devoted to you and will serve you gladly anyway I can."
"Now you're just freaking me out," I replied honestly. She smiled warmly, placed a hand on each shoulder, kissed my cheek and said goodbye for the evening. "Let me know if you need anything at all, Sookie," she reminded me as she walked out the door.
Mistress of Area 5, huh? There is no way I will ever get used to that.
While I waited for Amelia to emerge, I plugged in her laptop and checked my emails. I got a few new pictures of Hunter, some off-color jokes Jason passed on from Catfish, an update on my house from Sam, and an email from Bill.
Sweetheart,
I hope all is well in New Orleans. I saw Sam checking on your house this evening, so I approached to say hello. He let me know you and your roommate were traveling, I hope you don't mind. I would have gladly watched your house for you, Sookie. Please don't hesitate to ask in the future.
I appreciate greatly our talk last night. I have wanted to bridge that gap with you for so long, and I feel that we may begin to restore our relationship. You will soon discover how important your relationship with Eric is, and I do not want to interfere. But know that should you ever look upon me as a favorable suitor again, I would not for one second deny myself that immense pleasure and honor.
Be Safe,
Bill
Well, that was a humdinger. Sorting out my feelings on this issue was murky. I loved Bill once, and I love him now. I like Eric immensely, and I didn't know attraction like ours existed. Do I love him? Does he love me? I have no idea. I don't even know that Eric considers himself capable of love…let alone wanting to actually experience it. But again, this is all about them. What I feel is…well, I feel lucky that I have this choice to make.
Amelia emerged once more from the bathroom, and we were ready to roll. I grabbed my purse, we both made sure we had key cards, and moved out to Bourbon street. I laughed to myself as we emerged on the sidewalk.
"What's so funny?" Amelia asked, smiling.
"We're both wearing all silver jewelry."
"It's about time you caught onto the self-preservation bandwagon…" she teased.
We ducked into the first bar to get our first Hurricanes of the night. I knew they packed a wallop, but they just tasted delicious. Even though the glasses were huge, they were very reasonably priced. We sat at the bar for a little while until they started packing it in, then we tipped our bartender, grabbed our drinks, and hit the street.
"I have to say, Sook, I do miss living in a city with loose open container laws," Amelia spoke up between sips.
"They might as well not have open container laws in Bon Temps, there's nowhere really to hang out, anyway. I mean, I guess people could drink in Sam's parking lot…"
Amelia laughed, adding, " Yeah…I've come to love that sleepy little town, but there's just something about this…"
"Oh, I can understand that. I hardly ever do anything like this—please keep me from puking radioactive red all night long."
"I definitely will. If your Viking feels you're ill, I don't think we could keep him away."
It was my turn to laugh now. "Could you just imagine? I would die. Neon red mouth, bathroom looking like a TrueBlood factory exploded, and Eric hovering like crazy and chiding my 'poor and uncharacteristic' decisions."
We both giggled like schoolgirls at that image. As we walked down the street, we flirted with a few guys, and got a couple free drinks along the way. We found ourselves inside another bar that was doing karaoke. We ordered some cheese fries and chicken strips to put something in our stomachs beside rum. Before the food had a chance to soak up any of my hurricane, I decided I had to dedicate a song to my very best friend.
Now I've said a thousand times, I may be a good dancer, but I can't sing for shit. This should have been a clue I'd ingested too much liquid courage. Undeterred, I told Amelia I was going to the bathroom, then put my song request in with the DJ. I waited near the booth and took the stage.
"This goes out to my very best friend, Miss Amelia Broadway!" I shouted into the mic, and had to grin like a fool when I saw Amelia's shocked face turn around. The first few bars of "Witchy Woman" started, and Amelia just died laughing. When I got the high pitched notes in the chorus, I saw her wiping tears away. I may have been tipsy, but I knew it was awful. Nonetheless, I got a rousing round of applause when I finished and (carefully) made my way back to the table.
"Stackhouse, you are truly something else."
Okay, so I put this up quickly so all the Pam love wouldn't be wasted. I really wanted it to be Pam, too, but thinking like Sookie and Amelia, that wouldn't have been the best choice. Sookie needed a break, and Amelia probably would be a little uncomfortable spending a weekend in NOLA with a former flame right after Tray's death. Soooo there you have it. No worries though, you know our girl Pam will be making plenty of appearances. =)
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who's reading and enjoying.
