As always, thank you mightily for the reviews. They keep me young, happy, and insane for writing such long chapters. One of the main reasons I've never tried writing a Sookie story under True Blood is because quite honestly...I liked her better in the books. She was much smarter and asserted her independence without being *cringe* annoying. Not to say that Anna is a bad actress...merely that I think her physical portrayal of Sookie outweighs any love I feel for her personality. Anywho, hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 3 - Remedy is the Experience
Oddly enough, when Neko woke up the next morning, not a trace of the night before made its' presence to her. She inhaled her pillow, stretched her arms high above, then pulled off the blankets to start a new day.
It was only when her eye noticed the answering machine and then the gun still laying in the same room, did the night before come rushing back.
Inaki is a vampire. Sarah Newlin tried to kill me.
Stranger still was her anger not toward either event, but toward the fact that had the fucking lock store still been in Shreveport, Neko would have had better protection against Sarah getting in. And probably now a whole new slew of adversaries.
So for a moment, she took the time to inhale and exhale carefully. Nothing could be done without her body being cleared of overbearing emotions.
Finally, Neko opened her eyes and took in the gun.
I could have been killed last night.
Maybe Sarah's appearance wasn't really a life or death situation. The woman had felt threatened and couldn't understand why exactly her husband would take an interest in some vampire sympathizer. And most likely, she'd been teetering on the edge of sanity from how her husband treated her, long enough already. Seeing the file was the last kick in the ass she needed.
Yes, Sarah had wielded a gun and nearly scared the living stuffing out of her. Yet, the probability of her actually using it...especially since the consequences would have been major...were little.
Nevertheless, Neko was more than happy to bee alive.
What do I do with it?
Picking the weapon up, Neko unloaded it and only found one shell.
Where to put it? It's not like I have papers for something like this.
Considering this may not be the last of her night time visits, Neko found herself wandering to her room.
Under the bed? In the bed?
That seemed a bit paranoid for even her. But, she did not want to be caught off guard like that again. So under the bed it went.
Next, she forced herself to have a level conversation over the phone with a Bon Temps lock and key store manager.
"Look lady, we don't make trips to Shreveport for installation of dead bolts."
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Neko kept back a scandalous remark.
"Sir, please, I've had one intruder already and I'm nervous about another. This is an old house and the business here moved away. I'm kind of stuck."
"Then inform the police."
Funnily enough, that was the first time Neko had even considered the idea. But if they were called, what could they possibly do? Plus, she'd have to explain why Steve was after her, if at all and the whole ordeal would be one unnecessary headache.
"I'll pay you," Neko finally responded. "If you can send someone over, I'll pay you for installation and for gas on your way back to Bon Temps."
The man contemplated the thought for a few minutes.
"Ain't gonna be easy money," the man retorted.
"Don't worry about that. I have it covered."
So they went over different bolts for the door, ones that would still get the job done on a more traditional home rather than a modern one.
"I want the strongest, safest bolts you have."
The installation was scheduled for the day after next since they closed by four o clock that afternoon and didn't open on Sundays.
With receiver still in hand, Neko then dialed in another number. This conversation wouldn't be so easy.
"Hello?"
"Delilah?" Neko asked, heart suddenly picking up.
"Oh Neko, thank God you called. Inaki was starting to think about going down to Louisiana since we hadn't heard from you."
"I've been kind of preoccupied and I'm sorry for that. How is he doing?"
"Honest truth? It's like he was born to be a vampire. He loves the running and the invincibility. You know he can be pretty wild at times and this kind of life suits him. Doesn't really care for the TruBlood yet, especially since I let him bite me while we...do it, but his maker makes sure he prefers the stuff over hunting humans."
"That is such a relief," Neko sighed, sitting in a chair.
"Yeah. But I'm not going to lie, his maker scares the crap out of me."
"How's that?"
"Not sure yet. I don't ask Inaki too many personal questions about him, but you can tell he's old. Still dresses like a 15th century pirate old. And the only thing I wonder is-."
"-what's he doing turning Inaki?" Neko finished.
"Exactly. Plus, his mannerisms are a bit off. Vampires are either trying to blend in or not. This guy keeps on shuffling between the two. Some days he'll come to the apartment to talk with Inaki and doesn't mind if I get him a TruBlood. Other times, he calls for Inaki through their bond and they go meet in some random location. Inaki always reassures me it's nothing bad he calls him for, but I wouldn't trust the vampire with my life."
Nodding, Neko was surprised to find her cheeks wet. How long had she been crying?
"I'm just so happy he's happy," Neko steadily admitted, wiping at her eyes. "Could you tell me how it happened?"
"Another weird thing," Delilah informed, "Inaki doesn't talk about it. And when I do get him to, he only says it was either real death, or a vampire death. I think personally, his maker doesn't want him speaking about it. But why would that be? If Inaki was going to die and he saved him, wouldn't he be happy to share that? There's still such a thing as honor in this world."
Neko found herself agreeing, but couldn't shake off the wrongness of the situation. Unless Inaki was in a secluded place, why would a vampire turn a human in a populous area? That was the exact type of thing the AVL was slammed for letting happen when an audio tape was released of a supposed vampire turning a human. Later, it was proven to be falsified. Still, the occurrence was odd on top of the location in a big city.
Not only that, but if Delilah was right and Inaki's maker was old, he'd probably know the dangers of turning someone in modern times. And how difficult it'd be to keep Inaki from saying something to the media. Although, she knew he'd never do such a thing. This generation tended to brag and with the anti vampire movement so strong, it'd be very easy to send vampire rights straight back to hell in a wheelbarrow had a turning been made public.
Was Inaki's maker lonely? Did he see something in Inaki? Maybe he was sentimental that night and Inaki's near death forced him to take action?
"Tell my brother I called and I want to see him as soon as possible."
"Got it. He was planning to go down whether you called or not. I can't make it this time, but Neko, I hope you're doing well. It's been so long since we last talked," Delilah finished sadly.
Neko agreed silently, but didn't say anything. Godric's earlier words came back to her. Was she desperately petrified of forming bonds with people?
"You're right," Neko admitted, "it has been too long. But once I see Inaki, I'll try to schedule some sort of visit over. Things here haven't been the grandest."
"It was really, really nice talking to you!"
"You too. And Delilah?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For taking care of my brother. There aren't exactly an abundance of people who'd be ready to continue a relationship with someone who's been turned."
Delilah laughed.
"Inaki is still the same guy. He's just incredibly pale and has a fetish for necks. He's the kind of guy whose personality will carry over into whatever form he takes."
Reigning back the tears in her eyes, Neko played with the phone cord. Guilt filled her from head to toe. How cruel was it that she needed such an event as her brother's turning into a vampire, to finally talk to him in two years? Granted, he could have always called her. But he was even a better brother because he knew her.
As children, he'd been the outwardly extroverted child who could chat up anyone in Shreveport. The memorable child.
Neko had never held that against him. In fact, she reveled in the attentions every one gave him. It allowed her to keep to herself and not have to worry about saying the right or wrong thing. Silence and solitude were her friends.
And as she had grown into her own while a teenager, the miracle of being sociable still had a while to catch up with her. Yet, throughout all this, Inaki understood her reluctance to be in the spot light. Perhaps even, he understood better than their own mother, that Neko's strength layed in her silence. That strength was to care about people as fierce as if they were a part of her own body. Admitting it verbally wasn't something she was always willing to do considering she'd get mad anytime someone mentioned it.
Throughout all this, Inaki loved her in his overbearing way. He gave her space when she needed and then smothered her with love if there was a lack of it. Not many human beings are capable of the same acts of kindness and understanding.
"Still there?"
"Yep," Neko answered with a laugh. "I'll talk to you some day, I promise. Let him know...that I love him and I'm expecting his visit if not tonight, then tomorrow."
"Will do. Good bye, Neko."
"Bye Delilah."
Hanging up the phone, Neko smiled into the empty room. Maybe everything would be okay.
But, seconds later, it faltered upon remembering her next task.
GNGGNGGNGGNG
If one was a carefully slow driver, the trip to Monroe, Louisiana ended up being roughly two hours. Neko was a speed demon on the road and while she wanted to take it easy and try to prepare the words she wanted to use for her meeting, without realizing it, her average speed was above 65 nearly the entire time.
So the trip took an hour and a half. Unfortunately, the right words still hadn't formed even as she pulled into the Monroe city prison.
I don't have to tell him Inaki's a vampire.
But Neko hadn't seen her dad in years and the trip over would be wasted if she just sat down with him to talk about the weather. She'd know it and her father would know it.
"Are visiting hours still open?" Neko asked the bored deputy reading through a golf magazine upon entering the building.
She'd only been to the prison one time, back when her dad was first sentenced, but once was enough. The thought of being contained in a cell for a long period of time never failed to make her uneasy.
The deputy glanced up and sighed.
"Visiting hours close in about 30 minutes. That enough?"
Nodding, Neko allowed the man to escort her reluctantly into the back.
"Who you looking for?" he asked.
"Louis Montello."
"Ah, Louie," the man answered with a whistle, "might be getting out early if he keeps on with his good behavior."
Neko recognized an obvious comfort the deputy tried to inflict, but she had the unfortunate ability to know her dad. For awhile, he'd stay clear of trouble. But after some time, his thirst for a good time would dissolve any potential stability.
"Now you've got about 29 minutes. Make good use, will ya?"
Thanking the man, Neko scanned the cafeteria room before finding an empty table. She sat down and fidgeted with herself before trying to remember what she was going to say. And how. It'd been so long since she'd seen her dad, Neko hardly remembered what interested him.
I'll tell him about Godric. Not all about him, but how I used what he taught me to find him.
This put a calm grin on her face.
"Neko?"
Standing up, Neko nodded in confirmation at the guard.
Louis Montello was a tall, burly man with a full head of thick, graying bronze hair. One would normally think him handsome if not for the obvious indents and lines typical of abusing drugs, marring his face. A scar here, stain there. His once youthful face looked at least 10 years older.
"Hey dad."
Plopping in front of her, Louis studied his daughter in nothing short of shock.
"Wasn't sure if you'd ever come visit me again," he admitted after a long silence.
Neko laughed nervously, the same feeling of guilt spreading through her.
"Some things have happened-."
"You're not in trouble are you?" he immediately questioned, ready to jump up in his spot.
"No...not really at least."
"Good," he answered, calming down. "How're you and Inaki doing?"
Another laugh flew through her lips and her dad grasped one of her hands.
"Doesn't sound too good," he muttered.
"Just that some things have happened...and I'm not quite sure if I know how to deal with them properly."
"Hush now, sweetheart. Just tell me what's going on."
He studied her conflicted features and squeezed her hand once for comfort.
"Neko, you've got to help me out," he said, noticing her reserve. "You're not an open book like your brother."
Gathering herself together, Neko nodded.
And for 15 minutes, she recollected the past four years to him in Shreveport. Planning mom's funeral (she'd sent him a letter upon her death). Her indecision about work. Her job at Fangtasia. Caring about her boss. Going to Dallas to find Godric (she didn't reveal anything too personal about him). The Fellowship of the Sun infiltration.
At that point, Louis gave a deep belly laugh and a word of kindness at her cleverness.
She continued on with finding Godric, the conflict she felt after returning him to Shreveport, and quitting. Then the two month hiatus from the vampire world, her new job at Merlotte's in Bon Temps, and finding Sarah Newlin inside her home. For some reason, she kept out Eric's words about a vampire claiming her. It seemed too personal.
During this time, her dad ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
"If I was just there to protect you-."
"I was the one to get involved, not you. Really, it's alright. She'd only loaded one shell inside the gun. If she truly wanted to kill me out of revenge or jealousy, she would have loaded it to the hilt and continued shooting me till the entire room was decorated with my blood."
Louis winched at the description, but allowed Neko to go on.
"I'm getting new bolts put on the entire house. I have no idea how serious Steve is about finding me, but I'm not taking any chances."
Her dad nodded in agreement.
"You still have the gun?"
"Yep."
"Keep it with you," he whispered and the was the last he said about that.
"10 minutes," a guard suddenly yelled.
Sighing, Neko felt like beating herself up. It felt so good being able to tell someone about what had occurred and to get a helpful input on what to do next. Why she hadn't visited him sooner...well, she knew why. A mix of disappointment and deep sadness stirred within her each time she thought of her father in prison. That among all the other emotional burdens associated with the man, caused Neko to visit him few and far in between times.
Still, 10 minutes did remain to tell her father about Inaki. As of yet, he had no problem with her employment at Fangtasia or vampires in general. He was in prison when the Great Revelation occurred and thought the whole thing to make a lot of sense.
"There would be some people I'd be hired to track, who'd disappear in plain sight during the night. Glad to have some sort of explanation for it," he'd mentioned with a laugh.
And when she explained about not backing down when Eric asked her to be a donor at the club, her dad beamed. He was the one who taught her to have a backbone.
Yet, as the minutes counted down and her dad noted the sudden seriousness spread through her features, Neko couldn't figure out whether to tell him or not.
He had a right to know, but would it kill him? He'd been alright with vampires, but so were a lot of people. When there was one in the family however, people became less open minded.
"Dad, there's something else."
The man nodded, urging her to go on.
"You know how I told you Inaki lives in Los Angeles?"
"Yep. Tell him I'm proud of him too."
No matter what Neko said to him, he made a careful point not to blame them for not seeing him. She believed somewhere inside that he knew and accepted his mess up with drugs.
"I got a call last night from Delilah. She's been his girlfriend for a long time."
"Please tell me he's not dead," her dad stated, stiffening up.
"He's not...well, he is."
Against her own will, Neko smiled at the confusion on her dad's face.
"It's my belief that he was going to die a few weeks ago. Luckily for him, a vampire was nearby. Instead of Inaki dying for good, the vampire turned him."
Scrunching his eyebrows, Neko's dad stared into space for a moment.
"You're saying...my son is a vampire?"
"In a nutshell," she breathed out.
Behind her, a clock was dangerously close to reaching 3:00.
"But," she hurriedly mentioned, "I'm seeing him either tonight or tomorrow. Delilah said he's doing good, even likes the undead life. And I guess I'm able to get over the shock as long as he's happy."
Her dad nodded in agreement after a few seconds.
"Hey," he noted, "I want you guys to take care of each other. Since your mom's passing, I know you've been closed off more. But remember Neko, Inaki is your flesh and blood. Do not be afraid to reinforce that bond with him. You two need each other now more than anything what with your involvement in vampires and him becoming one. If I was still there..."
And at this, his eyes trailed away to the opposite side of the room in disappointment.
Neko grabbed one of his hand and placed it in between hers.
"I love you, dad. And my biggest regret is not having visited sooner. I think a part of me was petrified about how it'd go and what walls would be tore down. Because you of all people, know how hard I worked as a child, to keep them up."
Smiling, her dad cupped one cheek with his hand.
"Neko, just don't be afraid to love and be loved. It is not the worst thing that could possibly happen."
With that, he made a purposeful glance at his current position.
"Times up!"
Letting out one last breath, Neko stood and hugged the man who raised her.
"Love you," he whispered once more into her hair before a guard wrapped one hand around his arm and led him away.
GNGGNGGNGGNG
By the time Neko found herself back in Shreveport, dawn had settled upon the town. A few orangish-reds brushed the sky, but otherwise, the sun was at peace beneath the horizon once more.
The ride back had been quite enjoyable. She'd gone through an entire Chris Isaak and Elvis Costello CD and stopped at a diner much like Merlotte's, to enjoy delicious, golden brown chicken tenders with fries. There was an abundance of time to reflect on her meeting and she did just that.
He'd love to see Inaki too. I wonder if they'll allow a vampire into a prison. It's basically a buffet for them. Humans in cages, pulsing veins from those who work out. Nowhere for them to go.
She'd see how well Inaki could contain himself first.
After the diner meal, Neko found herself back on the road. Her driving was less chaotic and more at ease. The words her dad parted with, made her entire body hum with peace. It'd been a long time since family was able to make her do that.
An hour after the meal, she pulled into what probably was the world's smallest Dairy Queen. Quite literally, it resembled a toll booth at a carnival.
"How in the heck do you guys make ice cream in there?" she'd questioned in wonder, trying to peek behind the large, mustached man blocking the counter.
"Why is the sky blue? Who cuts a barber's hair? Where is Jimmy Hoffa? The mysteries of the universe are grand and not all were meant to be solved. We are one of them," the man had stated in a deep, Christian Bale tone.
Had Neko lived closer to the area, she'd have applied for the job in a heart beat. The man had made it sound incredibly enticing.
Driving with a Brownie Batter Blizzard dripping down her hand, Neko had belted out the remaining lyrics to "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing". All in all, the drive back had successfully been able to clear her mostly of all worries she carried.
Yep, just keep looking at the good things. I'll be getting my house secured in two days. Inaki will be here either tonight or tomorrow. And one more meeting with Eric surely will clear up any unresolved issues between them.
It was in this mind set that Neko came home to.
For a moment, upon entering said home, she stayed inhumanly still inside the front hallway, listening for anything out of the ordinary. When a grandfather clock indicated seven in the evening, Neko relaxed.
But, she still checked each room to make sure no one was lurking in the house. She could not afford to be careless again.
When everything checked out, Neko journeyed to the bathroom and prepared a bath.
GNGGNGGNGGNG
"How are we supposed to coexist with predators?" Steve Newlin asked, wildly throwing up his hands.
Nan Flanagan politely took in his frustration before answering.
"As I've stated before, prove we are the predators. Believe it or not Mr. Newlin, vampires have been just as susceptible to harm since the Great Revelation, as humans. This V epidemic isn't because of willing vampires. How would you like it if you were persecuted for practicing your religion? Everywhere you go, people are condemning or threatening you. Killing you because of what you are."
Neko nodded her head in agreement, turning up the volume. While having never met the woman, Neko admired her for the ability to stay calm with all the hate and skepticism thrown her way. Were she in such a position, there was no guarantee she'd be so level headed.
Steve shook his head indignantly, holding up a hand. The camera fixed itself back to his face.
"This epidemic and all problems associated, are because of vampires. You are not natural, you are not children of God, and most importantly, if you truly were worthy of God, he would have allowed you to walk beneath the sun. Quite simply, it's an abomination that your race still exists."
It was lucky Steve and Nan were having their interviews from separate parts of the world. Even the host of the news station, looked uncomfortable with the man's statement.
Of course everyone was carefully studying Nan's reaction and to their surprise, she smiled.
"Ignorance is the child of hate. If your church teaches hate, I truly fear for the future of both our races."
Both Neko and the host smiled at the comment. It was neutral and got the point across.
Steve however, shouted something back. What it was, Neko didn't catch for that exact moment, her door bell rang.
Inaki!
Jumping to her feet, Neko sprinted to the door while running a shaky hand through her wet, copper brown locks. Out of the blue, she reminded herself not to get her hair cut at Porcelain's, the nearest salon to her home. The woman who'd done her hair had a shakier hand than the 60's dance craze. While it was nice to have the length to just at her shoulder blades, the slight slant in which it was cut, deeply unsettled Neko whenever she ran her hands through it under the shower.
"I'm coming!" Neko yelled as the ring spread through the house once more.
Inhaling calmly, she pulled up her pajama pants and made sure nothing embarrassing littered her Audrey Hepburn t-shirt. More than a few times, a midnight snack had dropped and stained her t's from a piggish indulgence.
Oh my god...I forgot to get some TruBlood.
This thought froze the hand ready to open the door. However, another ring shook the house and Neko was forced to open it, unsure how she would be able to get the drink otherwise.
"I was going to get some TruBlood, but-."
Her words died the moment they reached her lips as she observed the figure standing at the door. Most definitely NOT her brother.
In front of her stood a man who wore a white buttoned up shirt. One or two buttons were undone to expose his chest, free of any pesky hair. Not freakishly Northman tall, the man was slim and the black pants hugging his legs seemed to give off the impression they went on forever. His eyes, a deep indigo, were open wide and observant. Red, almost pouty lips were cautiously set in a thin line. Brown, mahogany hair was cut strategically short at the sides but left an overflow at the top. A few slicked strands hung over his forehead, reminiscent of a young Elvis Presley.
Neko had spent so much time paying attention to his face because of one reason. He was abnormally handsome. Not sexy or even gorgeous, but outlandishly handsome. The paleness of his face especially, opened up the expression in his dark eyes.
"Neko is it?" the man questioned, his lips turning up at her absorption.
"Yep," she managed to answer, offering a grin. "Who are you?"
"My name is Ronan."
Studying the man once more, Neko paid particular attention to his open chest and black, tight pants. Not for the attractive way he wore them, but because something inside her stirred at the man's image.
Normal men do not dress like this. He looks like he stepped out of some pirate novel.
And just as she'd picked up on the man's resemblance, Ronan opened his mouth again.
"I am your brother, Inaki's, maker. May I please come in?"
Momentarily speechless, Neko scanned the area around him in confusion.
"Inaki is finishing off a TruBlood down at Fangtasia," Ronan explained.
"Right," she expressed, taking him in. "Well, I think I'd just like to wait until he gets here, if that's alright."
She folded her arms as a final say and watched Ronan's perfectly sculped, brown eyebrows shoot up.
"Smart girl," he admitted after a moment. "For all you know, I could be one of the merciless vampires still out there who isn't too happy about our exposure to the world."
This information surprised her. So, she voiced it.
"Are there that many?"
Taking a step back, Ronan peered up at the sky, his lips moving in a silent count.
"Not an abundance, but yes. Usually, they are the older ones. It's difficult to adapt to a civilized civilization."
At Neko's visible interest, Ronan went on.
"A thousand years ago, humans ate with their hands, shit in the streets, and ate each other to keep from starving. Most importantly, humans were ignorant of what lay in the darkness around them. Easy and wholesome prey. And now that there are more of you than they're have ever been before...well, you can see how some are unaccustomed to the modern methods of fitting in. Especially with so many rules."
For once, Neko fully understood what the vampire was saying. When she worked at Fangtasia, she'd often pestered Eric about why some vampires were unhappy with being known. Sure, she had her own guesses and theories, but Eric would either give her half assed answers or tell her she wouldn't understand it.
Ronan's explanation however, was straight to the point and spurred a hundred other questions inside her.
"How old are you?" she questioned, leaning on the side of the doorway.
"I'm 954. Approaching a thousand years, but not quite there yet. But don't let my age prevent you from asking questions of the centuries before me. I was a...," Ronan paused, struggling to think of the word, "historian I suppose. Assistant to the assistant of some unknown king who believed his power would overthrow the most powerful of kingdoms."
"You studied history? For what purpose...and how? I mean there had to have been little written about the world at the time."
"Perceptive," Ronan noted with a grin.
Neko shook off the compliment, but remembered Godric had said the exact same thing.
"My job was to simply observe the times before me and find where kingdoms or empires went wrong. From studying that, I would inform the assistant of valuable tactics or strategic plans and he'd pass the information on to the king. And you are correct, the task was not easy. So little was known of the world at the time and I was quite limited in just the region I lived in, to study its' history of rulers. Ironically enough, most of what I'd learned, never made it to the king's ears. The assistant I was assistant to, murdered him and took the crown for himself."
"Did you still serve him after?"
"No. If anything, the murder forced me to recognize that politics were not my interest. After the new king's anointment, I ventured off into foreign lands. For the next five years, I learned personal histories for myself."
"And when were you turned?" Neko asked, fascinated with the story. It's not every day she had a vampire willing to talk about the past.
"The year was 1051. If I remember correctly, I was studying the modern day Czech Republic. There was a village I'd strolled into one night and one inhabitant was particularly fascinated by my studies. By that point, I had all my research and observations on ill kept pieces of parchment. Paper was expensive at the time so sometimes I would have to make do with whatever I could find or tear. I remember the man asked if I'd like to learn about a brand new civilization. One that has evolved right along with man, but always stayed in the shadows. Imagine my excitement at hearing this."
"I believe it," Neko said. "It'd be like saying aliens have been living among us since the dawn of creation."
Amused at the metaphor, Ronan nodded.
"Perhaps I was foolish to put so much faith into the man. As you can see before you, this was the result."
Scanning him from head to toe once more, Neko's gaze focused on the intense, dark sea in his eyes.
"What did he teach you then?"
Ronan's lips formed into a frown as confusion marred his features.
"Come again?"
"Well...if this man truly wanted to, he could have bitten anybody. But he made a specific point to enthrall you, like he recognized and appreciated your intelligence. Did he ever...I don't know...give you a sordid history of vampires?"
Said vampire seemed very puzzled at the question. Neko wasn't sure whether it was because he didn't know how to answer it, or because he'd never had it asked.
Despite her brother's outgoing personality, Neko knew he wasn't one for too deep of thinking. It wasn't that he was dim, but merely focused his attentions on other interests. Whatever questions he'd asked Ronan, probably ceased after learning the vampire's age.
"After my turning," Ronan expressed, "he'd kept most of the secrets inside his head. My first skills included hunting humans, living off the same blood for periods at a time (this was in case I'd ever become trapped somewhere), and knowing when to strike. While communication was poor, word of mouth was not. Our pillages kept some places acutely aware of our presence while others were...no pun intended...left in the dark. I think I spent 100 years with him just learning how to survive, before he was killed."
"Killed?" Neko questioned. "How often is a maker killed before their childe? And how did he die if his survival instincts were so good?"
"The answer to your first question, varies. It all depends on the period of time and region. Most importantly, how paranoid the humans of that time are. During the crusades and inquisition, vampires were quite often killed simply because those were blood thirsty times. No difference was seen between one person and another. Other times such as the Renaissance, talent and art outweighed and distinguished beings. This forced some to understand that people were unique and filled with possibility. To waste their life so senselessly might take away something magnificent from the world. And caught in this continuous evolution are vampires. Trust me when I tell you that both maker and childe are susceptible just as equally to the changes in the times. Now, I would answer your second question but I do believe Inaki is on his way."
For a moment, Neko completely forgot she was standing there to see her brother, not his maker. But the vampire's story proved to be so interesting. Most vampires were mysterious and incommunicable when it came to their pasts. Yet, Ronan seemed at ease to talk about his. As if it was just a stepping stone to who he was now.
A small tugging in the back of her mind shot up a brief suspicion toward the vampire.
Is he sharing this information just a little too easily? Does he want to make a good impression on me since I'm Inaki's sister? Or maybe he wants to lull me into a false sense of security before draining me?
"Vampires are normally secretive about their past. How come you're so open with yours?"
Ronan thought over the statement for a second before smiling.
"I do not reveal myself often to others because they never ask the right questions. Also," Ronan added, "I trust you."
"You trust a human?" Neko indignantly asked. "I barely trust myself at times."
"Well, surely you know why I do trust you."
At this statement, Neko vehemently shook her head.
Raising his eyebrows in surprise, Ronan tilted his head.
"You saved Godric from the Fellowship of the Sun. A good portion of the vampire community is grateful to you."
"Are you serious?" she retorted, mouth open.
Neko hadn't even considered the possibility her actions were known. Sure, she knew Eric and friends of Godric's had searched high and low for him. But how they knew she was the one to save him, was lost on her. And the fact that they'd told others about the incident, surprised her as well.
"Yes. I'd have thought Godric himself would've informed you of this, or perhaps Eric. In fact, this was one of the reasons among others, I ventured here with your brother. To meet you. I'd only heard what you'd done from a companion in Texas, but many others were discussing the event. Godric's kidnapping was shocking to begin with, but to have been rescued...by a human no less...well, that was truly a story worth talking about."
"Wow," Neko sighed out. She wasn't sure whether it was happiness rumbling inside her or unease.
However, the moment to ponder all of that became lost as the sudden appearance of a second vampire greeted Neko's eyes.
"Inaki!" she squealed, forgetting about being safer inside.
Lunging out into the night, Neko jumped into her brother's waiting arms, screaming with joy as he spun her around.
"I missed you so much, Neko," he whispered, his words shooting a jet of ice into her skull.
And for a few minutes, all they did was hug each other silently.
"Inhuman strength. Feel lungs crushing," Neko sputtered with a smile.
"Oh, sorry," Inaki replied with an embarrassed grin, lowering her to the ground. "It's so good to see you."
Nodding in agreement, Neko took the time to study Inaki's change in appearance and to her surprise, he remained relatively the same. Same forest green eyes, slight chubbiness in his cheeks that made him appear forever young, tangled, bleached blonde hair, and same, strong toned chest.
Delilah was right in regards to him remaining the same, both physically and mentally. But, she noted an obvious sexual appeal about him now. The red in his lips was more prominent as well as the swells of his eyes.
"Oh no," she muttered, fingers trailing over his cheek, "the scar from when you smacked yourself in the face with a tree branch, is still here."
"Yeah," he admitted in wonder. "But it makes me look more mysterious, don't you think?"
Laughing, Neko reluctantly agreed.
Ronan cleared his throat politely, and with slight embarrassment, Neko turned to study them both.
"Ronan, won't you please come in?"
The vampire stayed glued to the spot, studying Inaki curiously.
"He doesn't need an invitation," Neko explained, "both of our names are on the house deed."
"Ah."
And with that, the trio entered the house.
Hope that wasn't too boring for you to read. I mean I had to get in Neko's back story in somehow. Plus, the whole Ronan thing kind of blew me away because I couldn't stop writing once their conversation began. And if you are wondering, I am basing him off a particular person. Just look up Max McElligott, lead singer of this indie band called Wolf Gang. I find him incredibly attractive, but I might be alone in that boat. But what I wrote will serve its' purpose so I hope you enjoyed. Let me know what you're thinking in a review (even if you're disappointed that there was no Godric or Eric interaction).
