The Vampire as Metaphor...from The (Semi-) Complete Works of William Soames Walthrop...
PG 13
Summary: A lost work of one William Soames Walthrop (...aka Spike) as it was delivered at one of Cicely Addams' house parties, shortly before Will's demise. See the reference to it in "Drusilla"...
Disclaimer: All BTVS characters remain the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and all other owner/creators of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series...
Contributions to the recovery of the lost works of England's third worst poet are always welcomed...
Part XXXVIII...
"Miss Sinclair…" Wainwright tipped hat to the lovely young lady in the hallway of the car, whose respectable if moderately elegant clothes somehow gave just the vaguest suggestion of irrespectability to potential customers, he, despite the apparently empty car, making a quick aversion of eyes to indicate a desire to meet.
She gave the slightest of nods and both slipped into the empty sleeper Wainwright had reserved under a false name for just such rendezvous…He backing a bit at her sudden pulling of a crucifix from underneath her neck ruff.
"It's alright…" he nodded. She, returning nod.
"But wise to keep checking…" he noted.
"I'd say so…You seem to be getting quite cozy with that vamp…iress, Miss Giles, or whatever her name was or is." Stern look.
"Afraid so…I almost feel badly about it." He sighed. "I think she really does like me…Or Wainwright at least."
"For dinner, maybe?" she eyed him. "Your fellow is a good-sized pork chop, Artie." Faint smile.
"I almost wish that were the case. I'd no idea these creatures could still…" he shrugged. "But, of course, she's still pure evil."
"A deranged killer by all accounts…And I've gotten a couple." Nod. "I got a chance to do some checking via telegraph while we were in Chicago. She's got to be the girl Nast uses as his right hand, implicated in a good number of his assassinations and kills we know about."
"I'd bet. She's a capable one, no question. Poor kid." Sigh.
"Artie." Careful stare. "You can't drop guard with her, not for a moment."
"I know…" wan smile. "But unlike friend James, love 'em and leave 'em's never been my thing."
"James West…Loves only two things." Miss Sinclair frowned. "His job…And one Gordon." Faint smile. "And Gordon reciprocates, I know."
"Anna…" he eyed her.
"It's fine." She smiled. "You were up front with me. I just wish…" sigh. "Well, nice to have a woman…Of a kind…As competition for once." Sly grin.
"God, don't let her ever think that." He put up a hand. "She'd kill you even if she thought it was just business. Anna, I know you've protections but don't underestimate her."
"Never, especially after what I've found out." Nod. "Artie, she's a monster. You're the one I worry about dropping guard."
"I have to stay close. But I don't think she'll try to kill me just yet. She likes Ollie Wainwright as is and she has plenty of time yet."
"I thought these creatures hated us." Anna regarded him. "Just enjoy tormenting before they kill us?"
"They were human once…I suppose some remnants of human feeling remain that may surface at moments…Or she's simply playing her part with gusto. Who knows?" shrug. "But if she does find out…"
"We should contact the girl…Mrs. Potter. This is too dangerous for either of us."
"I'm not ready yet to violate orders, Anna." Gordon shook head. "She may be an American but we're not certain we can trust her, especially given her bosses, the Brit Watchers. At least some of them have their own agendas as well and the Empire may want the Hellmouth for itself. For now, I'm safe…While she's amused with me and is enjoying our little 'romance'. You're the one who'd best keep a careful lookout…For De La Cule as well as his 'secretary'."
"I'm keeping my distance and my guard up." Firm glance.
"Good. Was there anything else on her or Nast?"
"Nast's definitely left New York. James thinks he must be in California or en route, though he's covered his tracks well. There is one more thing about your friend, though..." Wry look.
"Our contacts in England are sure she was a Watcher once…A member of their Council before she was taken by Nast. About forty years ago."
"A Watcher?" he blinked.
"So Mr. West's sources there say. Nast probably figured one of them would be useful and she clearly has been." frown.
"Unusual girl for a Watcher…Unusual for a Watcher to be a woman…" he noted. "She's quite the revolutionary…"
"Artie." Worried look, hand on his (padded) arm. "Don't let sympathy for this thing get you killed."
"No…" he sighed. "And actually, the sad thing is…It won't."
…
San Francisco…
The parlor of Kitten Twitty's "Emporium"…A rather grand name Nast had urged/ordered for the place.
Somehow "Kitty's Place…" not conveying the grandeur he wished…
Twilight…
"Ah, Mr. Cully, good evening." Nast greeted the just-returned Dirk…Who courteously nodded and offered an envelope.
Yes, nothing like a little thrall to turn a belligerent lout into a mannered and useful manservant, Nast thought, smiling pleasantly.
"A telegram had come today when I checked, sir." Cully, quietly.
"Good, good…" Nast opened envelope eagerly… "Yes…From dear Olive and Vladimir…How good of them to drop a line as to their progress…Kitty!" he called back to a hurrying Kitten just emerged from her own coffin.
"Heinrich? Anything wrong?" she hurried to him, belying her rather hefty bulk in her usual black dress.
Somehow the new mauve dyes just not suiting her…
"No, not at all. I've just gotten word, thanks to Mr. Cully here…Thank you, Mr. Cully, that will be all for now…Don't forget to load Miss Twitty's things tonight for your trip tomorrow." Cully nodding and, with slight bow, heading for the door to attend to duties in the stables.
"…from Olive and Dracula." Nash finished to Kitten who gave slight frown. "Come, dear…Sit with me." He waved her to a chair, taking one beside it.
"The traitors…" she hissed.
"Now, now…" he put up a hand. "I've no absolute proof that Olive has accepted the Count's offer. She might yet be leading him on. And as for Dracula, well…I never expected him not to seek his own chance here. He's a useful distraction for the Slayer…And…When his usefulness to me is done…" warm smile.
"She's no good. Gregor's right about her." Kitten, angrily. "What do they say?" pausing at Nast's rather coolly bland look.
"I mean, have they done anything to further your plans?" she offered, a bit lamely. Eyeing the telegram in his hand.
"Their task was to monitor the Slayer and see that she does indeed come to us, Kitty. To do more would be to endanger my plans for her. According to this…" he offered her the paper, she, shrugging…Heinrich, you know I can't read that well, her look.
"Well…" he took back the message… "…they're performing that task…They've even managed to befriend her. And Olive does have her ways of doing things. On my second thought it has occurred to me she might yet be loyal. Luring the Count to expose his own plans…" fond smile. "So like her…Though…" face darkening. "If she should betray me, her own sire…"
Viciously harsh look in demon face that caused Kitty to back away in her chair…
"But…" Nast resumed human with pleasant smile. "I shall choose to hope she stays loyal to me. And in any case, I have you, dear Kitty…And my new family here."
Frown from Kitty, her large face annoyed… "Well, you have me…But Heinrich…"
"That matter is closed for now, Kitten." He eyed her calmly. "Clarissa is like a daughter to me. Gregor more than a son. And their loyalty, at this time, not to be questioned…By you."
She nodded at his stare… "Yes, Heinrich."
"I will be cautious, never fear." Patting her arm. "But to secure both the current and the coming Slayer is as vital to me as securing the power of the Hellmouth. All three are now within my grasp…And yet all must be done, delicately, my dear, lest they slip from me. We must be patient. Curbing our instincts to act rashly, as so many of our kind fail to do, is the key to victory here."
"Of course…" Kitten agreed, nervously. "But you have Clarissa, through me…The current Slayer is the real danger, if our…Your, my Sire…People betray you. If this Dracula takes her…" Nast giving offhand wave.
"Unlikely, dear. But even if he could, Vladimir needs her human as I do. No, the Slayer is the chess piece none can afford to disturb at this point if we wish to win."
"Our…Yes…Indeed." He smiled at her anxious look. "For you are my Queen, Kitty. And Clarissa our Princess, who, once mated to Gregor, will be, with our turned Slayer, the eternal guardians of our Kingdom of Hell on Earth. And the Hellmouth will give us dominion over them and all."
She nodded, eagerly but nervously…
Rather prefer that…Though it sounds a little like Miguelito's dependence on his men. Even a genius can be overthrown by some feller with a gun, after all. Or a stake.
"You do have faith in me, Kitty?" Nast eyed her troubled face carefully…
"As much as I need your hold over your daughter, I need your faith, dearest." Fond look.
"Of course you do." He beamed benevolently as she nodded.
"You have nowhere else to go, after all, do you?" cool smile. "Though in our short time together, my darling, you have become so precious to me." Pat of hand. "My truest mate…"
He suddenly writhed in his chair… "Stop! Damn, you woman! I hear nothing!" he cried.
"Heinrich?!" Kitty, anxiously. "Is it…?"
"Damn you!" he raged at her. "Calling to me…I'm no pathetic soul to plead to!"
"It's not me, Heinrich! It's her! I hate her! You, you worthless old whore!" Kitty screamed. "Leave him be! Go back to your grave! Leave us! I'll kill that girl, I swear I will!"
"Stop!" Heinrich, harshly. "Enough! She has left…" he calmed and relaxed. "You are a dogged creature, Kitten. Your soul will not surrender."
"She's a fool…" Kitten, grimly. "Why don't she just go…Away? Heinrich…?" carefully wheedling tone. "If you did let me kill…"
"Enough." He waved a hand. "I have told you how important Clarissa is to me. She will die when I choose for her to die, not before. As for your foolish soul…It's of no consequence. Her pleas are wasted and ridiculous. I am Nast, Prince of Evil. None shall divert me from my destiny to dominion over this world."
"None, sweetheart." Kitty agreed, relieved if a bit disappointed.
He took me for her…The thought passing. He loves her.
No, he couldn't…That silly fool of a soul…Her cloying kindness. Her sweet heart that always doomed her. Claire's father, Miguelito, James West…And all those others who always took advantage of her since she was still young and beautiful, the fool. Something, something in him heard her heart and…
No, silly…It was Claire. He sensed her power. He took me to take her. He couldn't…It's not possible…
"Kitty?" Nast eyed her.
Not like my dear mate to indulge in reverie…
"Mother…Stepfather…" Clarissa had descended from the upstairs level.
"Dear…" Nast beamed at her in her gown...A quite respectable one, particularly for such an establishment. "Lovely as ever." Kitten eyeing her coldly…
Damn forward piece, coming down on us like that…
Knows she's the reason I'm Heinrich's…Little…If only I dared kill her...Permanently, I mean.
Though I suppose not only would Heinrich kill me, he'd unmate me?
And, as he says…Where'd I go then? What's left of me.
"Let us know when you're coming, girl." She groused. "It's…Not polite." As Heinrich eyed her.
"I'm sorry, Mother…" wan look. "I wanted to let you know I'd packed my things for school."
"Excellent, dear…" Heinrich nodded. "Of course you'll only stay during the day, but you should have a room to stay over, for when your new friend comes. You're eager to meet her, aren't you? And you'll be sure to make her your friend?"
Dangerous, dangerous…Kitty sighed, shaking head. Leave the girl alone with the current Slayer, even just for a night? What if…?
"Yes, Stepfather." Clarissa nodded, wan smile. "I want her to be my friend."
"Kitten? Something to say?" Nast eyed his would-be consort's frowning look.
"No, Heinrich…Just…" hesitating.
"There's no danger, Kitty. Clarissa is a good girl and would never tell tales…Would you, Claire?" he turned to the girl who shook head.
"Never, Stepfather…I…Would never." Nod.
"If she goes on acting like this…" Kitty couldn't resist…
"Yes…True enough…" Nast agreed. "Clarissa? You must try to show a bit more spirit, a little light-heartedness. You are glad to be returning to school, correct?"
"Oh, yes…" nod. "I'm sorry if I'm not…Spirited enough."
Far too much, in her way…For me…Kitty frowned.
If it were up to me…Bleed all the spirit outta her. Take her now, but maybe minus her head?
But…It's my Sire's call. And he says we must have her with us.
Damn…
"Just make an effort, dear…" Nast noted to Clarissa. "You wouldn't want to put your dear Mother at risk by letting your new Slayer friend learn too much about her?"
"No, Stepfather…I wouldn't."
"You'd best not…" Kitty glared.
"No, Mama." Quiet nod.
"Good…" Nast smiled. "Well, your mother and I have dinner to see to and you have your hostessing duties to perform. The clients are due in soon. Are the young ladies all ready?"
"Yes, Stepfather."
"Of course, after tonight, your role as hostess here must be deferred a bit. I wouldn't want my daughter's reputation in question." Fond smile. "Not that you've ever done anything to besmirch it, expect in the minds of the wicked and foolish."
More's the pity…She could fetch a good price in the trade…Kitty thought.
"No, Stepfather." Clarissa nodded.
"Well, keep Gregor close at hand…One never knows what sort of fellows one is dealing with. And see that the ladies are treated well. Our establishment demands respect."
"Yes, Stepfather." Nod.
"And send dinner in, would you, dear?" he smiled. "Irene is just in from New York and seems particularly appetizing and Ana is always delicious."
"Yes, Stepfather."
"Unless your dear Mother would prefer a male?" he turned to Kitty who shrugged.
Blood's blood after all…