I did my make up for real this time. I nice smokey eye with hints of purple to highlight my eyes, put on my thrift store skirt, and a black tank, and wore some basic flip flops, cause why not. I was coaxing Audwin into my over sized purse when there was a knock on the door.

"Hold on! Look Auddie, just get in the damn bag, so we can go! Please!" He reluctantly waddle in.

I checked myself in the mirror just to make sure my eyeliner was still in place.

I opened the door and was surprised to find Pam.

"Oh, hi Pam!"

"Eric was in the middle of something important, and I was instructed to come collect you." She sounded as if it was the dumbest thing she'd ever been sent to do.

"Well thank you so much." I smiled, I'm sure she'd warm up to me at some point, or maybe this was just Pam. Either way no reason to not be polite.

She nodded, and walked over to a mini van. When I say mini van, I mean like soccer mom van. I followed her, and we drove away towards Fangatasia. She was a much safer driver than Eric. I guess not all vampires felt it necessary to drive at ridiculous speeds for no real reason. When we arrived at fantasia she told me to go wait in Eric's booth until he came for me. I sent Audwin calming vibes, hoping the music, and loud bar noise didn't freak him out. Armadillo scratches kinda suck.

After about 30 minutes Eric came out, and sat down in the booth opposite me. He had one of the waitresses bring me a drink, I just requested water, and we sat in silence for a few minutes.

"I've found you a trainer." He said.

"Huh? Oh! That's great! Thanks" I replied.

He nodded.

"Are you ready to finish our discussion?"

"Yep, plus Auddie needs out of this damn purse." I knew he was starting to get uncomfortable with all the noise. I followed Eric, thinking we were heading to his office, instead we headed out the employee exit into the back parking lot. Eric stood for a second just smelling the air outside, before he looked at me, and smiled, and walked to his car. I followed.

"Hey, um where are we going?" I asked.

"Somewhere private where we can actually talk." He opened his door and climbed in. I did the same, and put Auddie in my lap. I knew for a fact that he would HATE Eric's driving. I was definitely going to get a few scratches. It's not common knowledge, but nine banded armadillos can't roll into a ball, and I couldn't leave him in the purse anymore.

Eric looked over at him, and smirked.

"I've never met a familiar before. He's kind of cute." Eric Northman, big scary vampire, just called my familiar cute.

"Of course he is, he takes after me." I said with a smile.

That earned one of Eric's real laughs. It sounded so heartfelt. After that we sped away. We were leaving the city behind, we had the windows down so the wind could blow all around us. The night was beautiful. The moon was casting long shadows, the smell of night was all around us, I could feel Eric's energy beside me, and everything felt right.

"So you're 1000 years old I hear. I bet you've witnessed some amazing shit. Like cities fall, and religions born, and just so many things." I was absentmindedly talking while I stared at the moon.

"Well yes, I have seen some amazing shit, as you say." Came his reply. I looked over at him, but couldn't see much to read his facial expression, not that he'd probably have one. Maybe I had touched a sore spot.

"What has your favorite time period been?" I couldn't help myself. He was full of knowledge, and I was hungry for it. My brain felt so empty from losing more than half of its contents.

"Hmm, probably the 70's. The 1970's specifically. Free love was still around, but other opportunities were there as well. It was easier to achieve things without glamour, and humans were less terrified of the unknown.." he glanced at me at this point, I was staring at him, and he smiled. "You haven't asked where we're going."

"No, honestly I feel safe around you, so I trust you to not let me be harmed, at least not on purpose." I went to staring back out the window. After a few more minutes Eric turned onto a gravel road. We were far from the city. He pulled off to the side and parked. He looked over to me and said,"We'll have to leave the car here. My Corvette cant properly make the rest of the drive."

I nodded and exited the car. It was an amazingly beautiful night. I closed my eyes, and focused on all the energy from the plants, and insects. It was pulsing in rhythm with the crickets. I opened my eyes, and looked at Eric.

"Do they glow often?" he asked.

"Sorry!" I closed my eyes, and concentrated on storing the energy I was taking in. I took a few deep breathes, and opened them again.

"Why are you sorry? You shouldn't apologize for what you are." He was extremely serious.

I wanted to say sorry again, but instead I just placed Audwin on my shoulder so he could nestle in my hair.

"So, where to now?" I asked.

"first we should discuss the conditions of our business agreement. I will pay you a fee each time I am in need of your services. I will also pay for your training, and over my formal protection. In doing this, you must never disagree with me in front of other vampires. In times of great distress you must listen to, and obey me without question." His eyes bored into mine

"The only thing I object to is the 'without question part'. As long as it does not endanger me, or Audwin, I will say yes. For now." I nervously wiggled around. "I mean, okay so you're 1000 years old, which means you're definitely smarter than I am, also you would know how to stay alive better, so yes. Okay?"

He nodded."That seems agreeable, for now."

"Lets take the short cut shall we?" He looked mischievous. Before I could ask which way, he grabbed me around my waist, told me to hold Audwin, and shot up into the sky.

"Oh fuck! You can fly?!" I was trying to sandwich Audwin between us, he was fighting me a little bit. I completely understood. This was'nt at all what I expected.

Eric's response was his wonderful laugh. It took a few seconds, but I eventually managed to wedge Auddie between us. I could finally look around. This was spectacular! The moon was so full, and bright I could make out almost everything. I could see nests in the top of the trees, I could actually make out details too. I felt like I could actually touch the stars. The wind felt wonderful as it flowed through my hair. I couldn't help myself, I started laughing, and yelling, "WEEEEEEEE!"

A cabin came into view, and we started to descend. We landed a few yards from the porch.

"Eric that was brilliant! Thank you! I loved it." I took Audwin in my arms to calm him, and stepped away from Eric.

"I also enjoy flying. Now, the woman that will train you is named Octavia. I had to make a few calls to find her. She is also a natural witch, but I don't know how powerful. I will be back for you in four hours time." He was speaking quietly, and making direct eye contact.

"You wont stay?" I probably sounded like a sullen child, but I didn't really care.

"No, I have business to attend to, and this is for you. You don't need me here." He reached down and cupped my cheek with his hand. He had a look in his eyes I couldn't describe. Then as if he realized what he was doing, he dropped his hand, and his serious Eric face returned.

"Four hours time." And with that he flew off.