What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."
Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar…
Part XLVII…
Nandor, in uniform, seated in the living (more or less) room awaiting a possible attack and mentally preparing for surrender and potential self-sacrifice.
"I was glad to speak to Miss Virginia and Miss Jen for perhaps a last time…" he notes, dignified tone. "They have promised to very carefully inform Martha when the time, if necessary, should come. Though I imagine should I be destroyed, she would be free of my influence and not too inclined to grieve."
Slight wince at sound of shutter banging slightly…Camera briefly swinging to doorway…
Nothing. As Nandor immediately confirms…Reaching out…
"More likely to dance on your ashes…" Colin notes with smile to camera.
I know I will…
Though I seriously doubt battle or abject surrender looms…Tonight, anyway…
…
The Zeller Realty building…Ginny's office…
"Hey, Davy…" Jen speaks into cell. "I'm on my way but Gin and I had one thing to do at the office, I'll be home in a jiff, promise. Suzie doing good? Great…Yeah…Hey, sweetie. How's my little love? Mommy'll be home soon."
Ginny setting out the holy implements on her desk…Carefully handling the box with the Host wrapped up in a towel to avoid burning her hand. Glancing over at Jen pacing with phone…
"We're ready, Jen…"
Mistress, I know you love Jen and I do too, but if I must, I must…To save you… She thinks.
But how does one kill a person? Especially a big girl like Jen who probably can draw on adrenalin in thrilled state…
Though I guess I can too…Just wait and see if she goes into a trance? But I don't want to do this unless I'm sure he's there, after all.
Then…Maybe the realty award for 2009? She eyes said plaque on wall near desk. It's pretty hefty…One good slam to the head, then maybe strangle her? Or just keep whackin' away?
"Ok, bye sweetie. Davey? Love ya, home soon…Yes, I promise." Jennifer blowing kiss into phone and closing.
"Sorry, all set…"
"Suzie ok?" Ginny seated at her desk now, motioning for Jen to take the seat in front of the desk.
"Yeah, Dave's keeping her up just a bit later for me. I hope this won't take long. Try to make it speedy, eh, Doc?" she calls, smiling at Ginny.
"Not that I won't take as long as we need…"
"I know." Ginny nods. "And I know you love them…Lets just do whatever we can here, ok?"
"Sure…What should we do?" Jen looks about, carefully avoiding the box with the Host, still wrapped in towel and the church reader Ginny had set down, it wrapped in plastic which Ginny was carefully pulling away, without touching the book itself.
"Master Nandor just concentrated and Van Helsing came to you…" Ginny notes. "Lets just try to clear our minds and call out to the Doctor. Let me just turn the lights down…" she rose and dimmed the office lights.
"Ok, concentrate on Dr. Van Helsing…" she commands as she sits back down. "And lets take hands…" she reaches for Jen's with hers.
"Right…" Giggle…As the two hold hands across the desk, the implements in the center of Ginny's desk.
"Jen?"
"Sorry…It just suddenly feels a little foolish." Smile. "If anyone had tole us what we'd be doing tonight a week ago…"
"Yeah…" Ginny, wan smile.
That I might be killing my best friend…But I know she's willing to die, if it offers any chance…
"Hey, Doc?" Jen calls. "We're looking to chat…" she looks about the room, eyeing the dark windows.
"Are the opaque things open to transparent? That might make a difference." She notes to Ginny.
"I fixed the controls so they're frozen on opaque, I couldn't risk any accidents happening with the Mistress when she visits. I figure if Simon Devious does decide to come here, I could smash a window open after I find out what he may be up to…"
"Oh…" Jen, nodding… "That probably the best way…After all, the Overlords' mansion's pretty well boarded up. I doubt it really…"
"It's unfortunate that your friend's guilt has twisted her so…" Ginny eyes Jen with rueful smile. "She was seriously considering murdering you, you should know." Stretching a bit in seat.
"I'd've thought your people would have developed more comfortable chairs than these in the future. This is not good for the lower back…" she notes.
"Dr. Van Helsing?" Jen stares at Ginny.
"Don't be alarmed, Miss. I just felt it safer for you for me to speak through this lady, given her intent. Understand that she isn't responsible for her actions, to some extent at least." Ginny puts up a hand.
"Hmmn…" she looked at the arm. "Lovely skin…Might I trouble for that mirror over there?" she indicated a small mirror in frame on the right side of the desk, Jen reaching to grab it.
"Sure…Here." Jen hands mirror.
"Thank you, my dear. Yes, lovely woman…" she eyes herself in mirror, touching hair. "Please, sit dear." She indicates the seat Jen had risen from.
"Ginny was going to kill me, you say?" Jen asks, sitting back down. "I'm sure she was only thinking of her Mistress' safety."
"And eager to please her…This woman seems to be a bit ruthless in her drives. Sorry…" she eyes Jen's frown. "I understand she is your friend but her nature seems a bit centered on her own goals."
"I'd've probably thought about killing her if we'd planned it for her."
"Yet you aren't now…?" warm smile.
"I guess not, but I'm hoping we can negotiate. Plus I imagine it's not only not easy to kill you but I'm pretty sure you were serious when you told us it wouldn't hurt to hurt me before." Jen shrugs.
"Quite true as to physical harm…Please assure your friends if I again speak through any of you that it would be pointless. But it indicates a kindness in you that it's not your immediate thought, Jennifer."
"Ginny's not a bad person, Doctor…Nor are my Master and his friends. They don't enjoy killing, much."
"I've no doubt they are both fine souls and as monsters, less viciously evil than many." Ginny sighs. "But you pleading for the creatures who took your life and freedom is rather abject proof of the Evil involved here. And you can't understand, in your current condition, just how misguided your request to spare them is. They, or at least their human souls, are trapped, desperately calling to me, to all of us…To you, Jennifer…For salvation." Earnest look…
"I'm sure you believe that Doctor, but…" Jen twists in her seat, pleading stare. "I can't lose my Master and my friends…I love them more than my life. I can't let them be hurt…And if you're planning to use me…"
"Calm yourself, Jennifer." Ginny, soothingly. "They won't be harmed in any way by you. I've no need nor frankly the ability to use you in that way."
Jen sighs. "Couldn't you spare them? For now, at least. There must be worse vampires about…That Mr. Devious seems like a real monster and he's got power in the human world. Why not focus on him? Our Masters and the Mistress have offered to help you fight real Evil. They'd help you destroy him."
"Simon Devious is quite Evil, in his limited selfishly human way…Which is why I'm not concerned with him right now. His fate is sealed by his soul's own dark nature and no one has pled for him…Which is the greatest punishment of all, really. No one cares and he will suffer to learn that most of all, one day…"
"Then…Someone cared about the Master?" Jen asks. "Someone asked you to come, to summon your people to destroy him? And the others?"
"A number of people did, though few remain to. But one in particular, who endured much to return and find him, a long and laborious journey. But she was backed by the many others who did care and still do. Your friends are loved and mourned, Jen. I did not come out of some spirit of anger or revenge, but because it was time. And they need salvation…Their souls are becoming desperate."
"But why now? They're living quietly, they don't go around harming lots of people…They're very kind…" she notes, anxiously.
"They're in touch again with their Humanity, after centuries…As Dracula and others achieved, after centuries. You see, Jennifer…Salvation requires the desire to be saved. It can't be done without that."
"They don't want to die…" Jen shakes head. "Please, let them live…"
"Exactly…" Ginny nods. "And we will…You will. I realize I can't break their hold and make you see but don't worry, Jennifer. All will be well. Call me anytime but be careful your friends don't try Miss Virginia's idea. You'd only regret it terribly later. I swear to you, it would not harm me or drive off my people." She pauses.
"You have to tell me more…Where are your people? Who summoned you here? When are they coming?" Jen, insistent. "No more mystical stuff…Tell me!"
"Jen?" Ginny blinks. "Was I…Asleep? Oh…I'm all sweaty." She sighs, feeling herself.
"He came to you." Jen notes, sighing.
"And you let him go?" Ginny, annoyed. "Why didn't you kill me?! I…"
"I know…You were going to kill me." Jen nods. "But it's ok…I understand."
"Only for them, Jen…" Ginny, apologetically. "And you heard, I wanted you to kill me…"
"It wouldn't've helped, Gin. We can't hurt him that way."
"So he says…We don't know that…" insistent.
"I believe him. He's not a liar. Gin? He didn't say much but he said they want this, their souls…"
"Yeah, he'd say that." Ginny, bitterly. "And what? You fell for that?! Jen?!"
"I think he means it but I don't want them dead…I can't lose the Master anymore than you could bear losing the Mistress." Jen, firmly. "I'm just trying to stick to what I got out of him."
"Sure…" Ginny brushes nervously at hair, calming… "So? What else? Did he…I…Say anything sensible?"
"He told me someone who loved the Master, Laszlo, I mean, is responsible for summoning him."
"Bastard…Or bitch." Ginny glares. "Someone? Who? A relative? Who remembers him after all these years? Some nerd Buffy fan researchin' the real thing?"
"He said she…She…Came back after a long journey, for him…Or to save him…Something like that."
"A woman." Ginny nods. "Ok, that's something. Came back…Could it be another vampire? Some old girlfriend who got 'redemption fever' like that Dracula?"
"Or, maybe…Maybe he means she came back…From there…The Dead." Jen shrugs.
"Cicely? That Vampire killing bitch?" Ginny suggests.
"Maybe. But it sounded more personal."
"Right. Some old girlfriend who wants him Dead and in Hell. Is that all you got? Nothing else?"
"That's it. But he said specifically it wouldn't hurt him to harm anyone he takes. And that he couldn't use us to kill the Master and the others. Though he also said he'd come back to speak anytime."
"Taunting us." Ginny frowns. "But maybe it's true. We should summon him back and grill him some more till we get something real out of him. Though this bitch, the one who started this, I guess…We need to get her. Find her and kill her." She insists to Jen's look.
"You know we have to…" firm nod.
"I guess…Though we should talk to her first."
"Whoever she is…Cicely or some relative or some vampire…Or some weird history buff who read up on Laszlo and wanted to meet him or whatever…She's put them all in danger. I think we should speak to her corpse or her burning ashes."
"Well…We have to find her first." Jen points out.
"Dr. Van Helsing?!" Ginny demands to the open room. "Get back in here!" she touches herself. "You can do whatever you want with me but I want some answers! Come on, Doc! Me or Jen, here! You said you'd come, so come already. Jen?! Call him, he seems to like you! Tell him he can have you if he wants! Look, we promise not to kill each other if you take us! We just wanna talk! And anything else you'd like…!"
"Ginny?…Fine…" to her angry frown. "Hey, Doc? We'd like to talk some more…" Jen calls.
…
The residence living (sort of) room…
"Please explain to the ladies…Dear friends and business venture associates…" Nandor addressing camera formally… "That I never meant harm to them and whatever our position vis-à-vis Master-Servant, etc, I was very fond of them. And could you give this note to Guillermo?" he proffers note…
"I'd be glad…" Colin begins as cameraman gingerly takes note, keeping crucifix close under shirt.
Fine…Make your farewells to the little toad. Shouldn't be too hard to encourage the ladies, those who survive, to have the fat little turd up on charges. Kidnapping, rape or assault with intent to rape, theft…Maybe even a murder or two…At least accomplice.
Hey, the little punk is guilty, right? Inward sneer…
And who am I, that I should be kind…? Particularly to the minion of mine enemy…
Though like Iago, one could debate whether I have cause to hate the Christian-Ottoman-Vampire as I do…
But perhaps Iago loved his wife in his own strange way, dearly too…
"I just want to thank him for his years of service…" Nandor, solemnly waving hand… "Encourage him to see the ladies to safety…Then, might be best to flee with the items I've put aside for him…Tokens of my esteem that may be of help to him financially…Before they might choose to report him to the authorities. And of course, to assure him, he would've made an excellent vampire…One I would have been proud to call comrade and brother…"
Pause… "I always did hesitate to turn him, much as he sincerely seemed to want it. Not merely his general incompetence at living and likely unfitness for Unlife, it seemed as though somehow, he wasn't truly destined to be of the Undead…"
Too useless to live, too stupid to die…Colin, pleasant smile on bland face. Likely true he wouldn't have lasted ten seconds among your kind.
But he'll do just fine as junior Nazi stooge at the trial…
He was, after all…Only following orders…
"But he has been another son to me…Truly. And, as well as the Undead can, I love him as a son." Nandor smiles.
The feeble-minded, idiot one…Colin, still pleasantly smiling…
Phone rings…
"Here, let me…" Colin strides over to pick up landline phone.
"Hey…Jen? Yeah, we're holding the fort here. How are you? Oh? Really? Van again, eh?"
"Is there any problem, Colin Robinson?" Nandor, looking over. "The minions of Van Helsing have not attacked the young ladies?"
"No, but he seems to have put in another appearance…Hang on. Jen? Let me put Nandor on…" Colin brings phone over as Nandor waves for it...
"Hello, Miss Jennifer." Nandor, eagerly to phone. "Is everything all right? Is Miss Virginia well? Good. Sorry, I allowed Nadja's cell phone and the one you gave me to drain power out. Thanksfully we have this one. So, Dr. Van Helsing came to you or…? I see. Is Miss Virginia really all right? Good, good. Make sure she rests, possession can drain one. Oh, yes? He said someone had summoned him? And we were anxious to be 'freed'? I hardly think so, my dear. Though…One can never be sure about the soul…Fickle and aimless component. Are you all right? Good, good. No…No incidents here as yet. No, no sign of the good doctor. Not as yet… Yes, Guillermo has said he would call tomorrow from his aunt's home…In the morning unless something important… Oh, no…No, Jennifer. I did not send Guillermo with such a mission, I would never do that…Without proper support, of course. No, he is simply tending to his soon to be deceased relative. Yes, don't worry. And Miss Susan is with him, just in case. Oh, yes…I did encourage her to go. For his safety…And to encourage…Romance." Smile.
"Love is beautiful…" Colin, smiling sarcastically to Nandor's quick look.
Especially when it's accomplished via mind control…He notes, aside, to camera. "A whole new level of rape there…" grinning.
"But it's not like familiars are in this for either the money or noble purposes…"
"Well, it sounds as though you both did your duty excellently as always." Nandor continues. "Well done, both of you. Please, it is no more than you deserve…You and Miss Virginia. A summoner, yes. We must ponder this when you return. Oh no…I want you and Miss Ginny to rest. See your dear child and husband, there's plenty of time. Yes? Certainly. No trouble at all, I should inspect the premises any way now." He stands up. "I'll call you, briefly, as soon as we checked on them. But head home as soon as possible and Miss Virginia as well. I'll call you in just a moment, Miss Jennifer." Nandor hangs up…
"Come, Colin Robinson…Miss Jennifer is anxious about Laszlo and Lady Nadja and I promised to check on their well-being."
"Sure…A summoner, you said?" Colin standing by him, taking phone and replacing it on its stand.
"It appears so…Someone, not yet revealed, appears to be the reason Van Helsing became interested in us."
"Human? After all these years? Or some vampire?"
Give me a name, mein Commander Idiot…Someone I can match to a face and kill before they rescue you from the Hell I mean to lead you to.
"Difficult to say though I would imagine Van Helsing would have little interest in accommodating a vampire seeking vengeance on us. Though naturally, Simon Devious does come to mind."
Colin snorting… "Him? He'd never turn to calling in a vampire hunter, he'd pee his pants at the thought of one, let alone the Slayer."
"Perhaps…" Nandor sighs. "But I can think of no one else…No one living knows of us but a few enthrallees and they would never seek to free us."
"Free?" Colin stares. "What do you mean, 'free'?"
Damn him, he's practically human now…Even if he's not aware of it…
I should have found a faster way to condemn him forever…But it's tricky and it seemed he and the others were firmly on the road to Perdition. But I've seen the signs for decades, I should have guessed the souls were converging…
"Hmmn? What, Colin Robinson?" Nandor eyes the rather agitated fellow.
Never have known Colin Robinson so excited as he has been this evening… The heat of potential battle and anticipation of feeding on a Slayer, perhaps?
"You said no one would ever seek to free you…" Colin, somewhat accusingly.
"Did I? I meant destroy, of course…"
"Of course…" sneer…
I blame Dracula…Him and his fool "quest" for "redemption". It's polluted the Ether with notions, it never used to be that you'd encounter vampires of the physical kind wanting to connect with humans like those three New Zealand idiots on the Vampiral Council or that fellow Garrett who mourns the baby Laszlo turned into a vampire for fun when he was bored. Everywhere now you find vampires seeking redemption, souls…That fellow William the Bloody who was put on "Buffy" as a character. Of course it's the Slayer, too. Ever since Cicely came back to save her husband it's no longer a good ole knock-down, drag out fight. Now she reincarnates and she goes soft…Wants to save us, not kill us. Though thank whoever she's not appeared since that Elisabeth…The one Whedon modeled "Buffy" on, took off to her just reward of wifey to William for eternity. But Dracula, Dracula started it all…
If only that punk grandnephew of his had had the balls to kill him…But he went all chicken-shit when Van Helsing appeared and saved his old pal.
Yes…I do know more details of that battle than most…Colin, eyeing us. After all, I was there.
But no way am I putting that on film for Posterity…Not at least till Nandor the Relentless and his friends are sinking into dust, bound on the Highway to Hell.
Then, possibly…For the sake of History…I might consent to an interview.
"Colin Robinson?" Nandor, puzzled to find of all people, Colin, lost in some reverie…
"What? Oh, yeah…So, no clues?"
"I can't think of anyone…Unless…" Nandor pauses.
"Hmmn?..."
Just gimme a name…Hopefully an address…And they'll be in a coma by tomorrow evening.
At least a coma…
And you'll enjoy the bliss of Immortality till something or someone kills you for no "redemptive" reason…
And Hell for the rest of it…In my company, you can be sure…
Now that's what I call, Hell. Fond beaming…
"If the Slayer can resurrect…And I have heard of cases…" Nandor, thoughtfully.
"You think someone has resurrected? To…Uh… 'free'…you?"
"It seems unlikely, after all these years…Though perhaps Laszlo or Nadja…?"
"Yeah, maybe some dirty little gypsy sister descendant…They're big on family…And long term curses and oaths of vengeance and such."
I should have stayed in Germany and made sure Hitler killed them all. Slipped up there.
But say what you mean, Nandor… Colin, sneering inwardly. You hope and pray someone you loved fought to come back and save you, don't you?
"Of course, it could even be a descendant of yours…You did find your granddaughter X30…" solemn look.
Oh pray it is…Some little human I can kill right in front of him, killing or at least shoving off that pitiful soul of his hovering round, horning in.
"That would be…" Nandor, sighing. "No, far too much more than I would ever deserve. No, far more likely it is someone of Laszlo's or as you say, a gypsy descendant of Nadja's."
"Welll…Allow me to hope, sir. It's someone of yours." Colin smiles.
…
…
…
