I asked Eric what was in the bag he brought up. He said it was clothes for tomorrow. I accused him of packing as badly as Pam. Pam had two large bags for the weekend, with more clothes than she'd need, shoes, accessories, toiletries (by that I meant her own soap and shampoo), hair appliances, four cans of air freshener ("In case the room smelt like dog," she said,) and a towel.

To that, Eric showed me the rest of what was in the first bag besides the clothes he already had on, including shoes. He made an act of it, by putting on what he pulled out. He took out a black leather belt and then, what took me a minute to realise, a matching holster. I didn't know much about holsters, having never had to look into it, but I knew it had to be a custom made. Why? Firstly, because he was so tall, with broad muscular shoulders that had to be fitted. Secondly, because I'm pretty sure you couldn't buy a holster like this one in shops. It was designed so that both arms had to go through it so that it sat evenly on each shoulder. Even with an open jacket, you wouldn't see it. It threaded through his belt so that it sat at his back. It wasn't for a gun. Along his spine was a long sheath for a very big knife or a short sword. The way it was designed I could see that once he had a jacket on, it would be very discreet. Vampires didn't need weapons, but if Eric had to have one, sword was his choice. He loved a good sword fight, even if he was the only one in the fight with one. He'd been able to use a sword since he was a young human... that was a very long time to practise.

With the holster secure so it would move or make noise to bring attention to it, Eric pulled out a long box. He opened it and there was the knife, sword, which the holster was made to sheath. Without needing a mirror or asking for help, he slid the blade down the length of his back. He'd have to have done that a few times to be able to do it so smoothly. Even he could knick, or slice, himself if he wasn't careful. He'd want to be able to draw it just a smoothly, and quickly, if he entered battle. I hoped he wouldn't need to use it. Better safe and sorry, but how bad was tonight going to be if he thought he may need a blade? Should I have not worn white?

His hair was loose so that it could hide the hilt. He put on a black suit jacket which had been tailored so that it sat flat at his back. No weapons there.

"And that leaves my bag empty. I may have two bags, but it's with good reason, unlike Pam."

Pam scoffed. I said, "I hope I don't have to see it again until you're taking it off and putting it away."

"I too feel this way but until we discern exactly what Russel wants us for, it is of comfort to have it."

"You'd be fine with or without it."

"True, but if it comes down to a fight, it will be more fun having it." His eyes filled with the excited glow he got at the prospect of a good battle as he grinned. All I could do was shake my head as Pam rolled her eyes. He was just so... Eric.

"Shall we go?" Pam said.

"I'm driving," Eric said.

Pam, who still had the keys, threw them to him. It was a very bad throw, so that it skidded across the floor, fast, several feet to Eric's left. He raised his eyebrows at her and bent over to pick them up. I had a moment to see Pam wink at me before my eyes were drawn to his magnificent behind. Thank you Pam. He straightened up and caught me looking. "See anything you like?"

Once I would have blushed. "You look very sinister in so much black."

"And you look like an angelic beauty in that suit. The light to my darkness."

I did a twirl in my white pumps. "I take it you approve then?"

"Most definitely. You are a vision and are dressed appropriately for the King's tastes." Russel was very much a lover of men.

"Oh Pam, you look absolutely divine in your sexy-receptionist inspired attire. You look like the goddess Aphrodite personified," Pam said impatiently. She modelled a brown ruffled leopard print blouse tucked into a black high waisted pencil skirt that came to just above the knee. "Now we've gotten that out of the way, can we get moving? I want to braid Sookie's hair in the car to give more justice to that pantsuit."

I heard Eric chuckle under his breath as Pam ushered us all out and Eric locked up. Apparently less talk, more action was going to be Pam's motto for tonight. How dare we dillydally when there was hair to be braided? But tease as I might, I was grateful Pam was going to work her magic before I had to stand beside Eric in front of the King of Mississippi.

Links to Sookie's pantsuit and Pam's shirt on my profile for those interested.