What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."
Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar…
Part LXVIII…
Martha's desk, Zeller Properties' office…9 am…
"Good morning…" she smiles brightly at camera, looking remarkably young for her years. "I guess this is the big day, saleswise. They close on the Fielderson estate. I'm so happy for them, everything's gone well. The representative attorneys for the Fielderson family are already here. Our…Clients will be here in an hour. Of course, they still have to work things out on the old place, but it looks like that fellow Mr. Devious will proceed with Miss Reynolds acting as his proxy. Don't know when the finals will be hammered…Staked…" she grins with a touch of malicious glee… "Out…"
"Hey, Colin…" she smiles at Colin Robinson approaching… "Big doin's, you excited?"
"Hey, sure…Can't wait to get at that pool. Can you make twenty copies of these?" he hands her a set of papers. "Just the Historical Society's regulations and recommendations on the property, I wanted everyone including the ladies here who might be visiting us regularly to have them."
"Sure…" she take papers. "Do I…?" she raised the sack.
"Of course, you're one of the chosen few…Go nuts." smile…
I'd say about forty percent there, though in her case, it seems to be helping…
"Gwen out?" he asks.
"She called to say she was sick…Pooped out, really." She gives him a slightly reproving look.
"I hope I didn't bore her too much with my chatter this last week." He gives thin smile. "But, it's what I do."
"Sure. I hope she gets some rest." Pointedly.
"As do I…" nod. "The legal crew inside?" he points.
"Yeah, just waiting for your team."
"Yes, they were all aflutter this morning…Laszlo and Nandor especially."
"They will be careful, coming?" she asks, a bit breathlessly anxious, though trying to conceal the depths of her concern.
Oh, my Master…My dear, dear Master…Did he really have to chance it out in the daytime again?
"Oh, sure…And Jen's got the knack of driving the van now."
"Gui should be here…Seems like he's spending a lot of time down in Mexico." She fusses a bit.
"His aunt just died the other day. They'll be back after the funeral, today, though it is a big estate to settle I understand. Guillermo's going to be loaded after this." Smiling nod of head.
"That's good." She beams. "He deserves it, he's worked very hard for our…Clients."
"Well, he can now retire if he likes…" grin. "Find a wife…Now it shouldn't be too hard."
"He'd never…I mean, he's so fond of our friends. They're like family to him, or so he's said." She notes, hastily.
And of us is the only girl for our Chief Minion. But Sue's not the type to be shaken off easy. Nor would most guys with eyes in their heads want to.
"Dependent, demanding, unappreciative family, yeah. I don't know how he puts up with em, myself."
"He loves the…Them!" she notes, rather stridently. "As we all do!" pausing at his look.
"They're such nice people, I mean." She calms, glancing round. Fortunately no one close by in yet, the others either too far or busy on headphones to clients/potentials.
"Sure they are…" he grins. "Well, enjoy the photocopying and the many little chores Ginny will have for you this decisive morning. Oh…And here's our gang…" he turns to look at the just entering group, Laszlo in his new suit, looking as impressively businesslike as he could, in the lead.
…
Laszlo at the Residence, about two hours earlier, seated in living room…Erika happily helping him with modern tie, brushing his hat.
"Jennifer?" Nadja calls from beside him… "Do I look all right? Should we do the more mascara?"
"You look like the raccoon. The one you threw in the sea." Her soul in Doll besides her to her right notes with smile.
"How did you know about Robert?" Laszlo eyes the Doll.
"We are connected at all Etheric levels, I know all she does." The Doll notes.
"Well…That's rather creepy." He frowns. "Thank you my dear." To Erika now offering hat which he sets on head. "Good?"
"Perfect, mein Herr." She nods.
"You might want to tone the mascara down a bit, my Lady." Jennifer now back in room from hall notes.
"Fine, take it down. I thought the fashion was to use lots. There was a woman on television, very dark circles, last night."
"Was a horror movie." The doll notes, with grin. "She was a zombie."
"When did you ever see a horror movie or even a movie before manifesting here?" Nadja eyes her. "All that, through me?"
"Though you, and on my own. I hung about this plane quite steadily, and paid more attention to what was evolving round me than you, it seems." The Doll smiles.
"Now, now." Laszlo as Nadja snarles.
Seems the two of them come near blows more every day…
Though then they both get all weepy and swear they never wish to be separated…Reminds me of my maiden sisters.
Oh…Dear…Have not thought about them in years.
Thank you know who, the miserable bitches. Made my life Hell till one finally died and the other became some other poor fellow's burden.
But she…Our dear Soul of my dear Wife…Is holding back…
"But just why have you been hanging about this miserable earthly plane, dear? If I may ask?" he addresses the Doll.
"To be close to you, you sweet marzipan…" smile.
"Hey…" Nadja, suddenly furious, pausing in daubing eyes with cloth from Jen as Jen tries to assist.
"He's my husband too, you know." The Doll grins at Laszlo. "What's yours…Is mine, dearest."
The Hell it is…Nadja glares.
Hmmn…Laszlo ponders.
I would discuss Dracula and our plans for "meeting" his daughter tonight... But I do suspect we may have a spy in our midst. And that the dear Soul of the dear Wife stayed around for just that very reason.
"Your morning vial, Master Laszlo…" Jacqueline, just entered, in her maid's uniform, every inch the perfect housemaid now, offering Laszlo a vial from a tray.
"Ah, thanks me dear." He takes vial, gulping down. "Just the thing, a morning chaser. You should have one, wife dear." Eyeing Nadja.
"Ma'am?" Jacqueline, brightly.
"No, no…I've had enough last night from Virginia. I don't want to go in on a full stomach of blood."
"Eehew…" the Doll frowns. "What a miserable existence for one who so loved good food. Don't your remember, Nadja? Grandmother's pastry?"
"I also remember eating rat when we had nothing…Blood's hardly so…Eehew." Nadja frowns. "Jennifer, dear? Take my Soul Nadja here back to my room."
"Oooh, private matters…" the Doll smiles. "You know you can't really keep them from me for long."
"That's rather nasty, from a Soul." Laszlo frowns. "Not to mention a clear invasion of privacy. Which in the modern world, as you should know, if you do keep such close tabs…"
"Privacy, schmavacy…" the Doll shrugs. "I didn't ask for either Death by vampiral murder nor an Etheric link to my counterpart. Fond of her as I am."
"Yes…" Laszlo, shrewd look as Jennifer takes the Doll carefully, apologizing for pressing harder than the Doll liked on her ribs as she lifts. "You're so fond of her, you're here to see her Redemption goes through and she moves on to Hell forever whereas you..." he eyed her.
"Oooh, our gentleman is clever as well as a pudgy little honeys bear…" the Doll cooes. "But not so simply as that."
"You might answer him. And finally tell me why you are here, for real." Nadja, annoyed.
"I thought you wanted to visit." The Doll, hurt tone. "Are we not friends?"
"A friend might be more honest. And keep her paws off my husband." Nadja, sternly.
"My husband too…I would have chosen him if the opportunity presented, after all. As for honesty…" the Doll gives shrug. "You try to keep things from me so long as you can till the Ether allows me to perceive, I, you. But you know, basically."
"You want us Dead. And not UnDead." Nadja frowns.
"Released…And your crimes cleared. They weigh on me too, you know. And again, is not so simply as you put it." The Doll frowns back. "Well, take me along, dear girl." She looks up at Jen who can't help smiling back at its smile. "I am a bit tired, it's draining to be in this form. But at least I can gain no weight. She did tell you, husband, we always had a problem with our weights?" grin to Laszlo. Nadja, angry now, waving hands.
"Be off! Jennifer, take her!"
"Yes, my Lady." Nod.
"You let me push you around too much, girl." The Doll telling Jen as they left.
"I'll smash that plastic or porcelain head against my crypt wall soon if she keeps it up." Nadja fumes as the door closes.
"Not till we've learnt something of use from her, I hope, dear." Laszlo notes.
"Such a devious Soul…I'm very disappointed in myself." Nadja sighs, narrow look at Laszlo.
"You don't 'like her'…Better…Do you?" she eyes him.
"Of course not." He insists. "Dear…" to her doubtful frown. "Could I fuck a doll?"
Well, if there were no alternatives…He thinks.
But, in general…
"You could…" Narrow stare. "But you would not enjoy it as much as you do me…"
"Well, there you are." He notes.
"Mistress? You asked me to keep you warned about the time. It's 8:20." Jacqueline noted.
"Right, I must finish. Laszlo, go and pontificate with Nandor somewheres." Nadja waving him off. "You say you worry my Soul may learn through me of our plans, so go plan in private."
"Will do, my love. Erica? Shall we?"
"Yes, mein Lord." Erica nods.
…
Nandor's crypt…
"I am ablazing with excitement." Nandor, in his suit, beaming. Jen having come by to see he was having no trouble dressing.
"At last, today we secure our hold on our new property, the great estate of the Fieldersons. It isn't quite a battlefield victory but a victory all the same. And then, tonight…We meet with the heir of the Dracule." Proud stance…
"It's so nice that Vlad has finally got himself a daughter. I wonder if she really is Elisabete reborn. That would be rather…Kinkys? For a Redeemed fellow. But I doubt it. Miss Jennifer? She did not seem to you like an adult woman's soul in a young girl's body?"
"No, Master Nandor…" Jen, eyeing round the suit. "Can you just…?" she made twirling motion with forefinger, Nandor nodding and spinning slowly round. "Great, thank you." She beams. "You look magnificent."
"Thank you, gracious lady." Nandor nods dutifully. "But she seemed a nice girl?"
"Oh, very nice…Very sweet." Jen nods.
"That's nice. Of course in his old days, Vlad was a rather strict stickler for the formalities and known as quite the disciplinarian. He didn't get the title "the Impaler" for sticking his enemies on stakes after victories you know. That came later. He got it for his method of punishing the lazy and loafing…The petty thief…The fellow bringing a camp follower to the camp…Treason…Passing notes to other soldiers…Laughing at officers…Pretty much anything could get you on a pole. I was a stickler myself but Vlad carried it to extremes."
"She seems very fond of him, from what I could tell…And unimpaled."
"That's good. The ole fellow must have mellowed since his Redemption. I look forward to meeting her. Althea, correct?"
"Yes, Master." Jen nods, licking a finger and wiping a bit of smudge on Nandor's face… "There we go, all set." She beams. "You look marvelous."
"Thank you so much, my dear." He bows and rises as Laszlo enters the crypt.
"No rush, we've a bit of time. Nadja just wanted me gone and I preferred a chance to talk about tonight in private. That soul of hers strikes me as a spy."
"Indeed." Nandor, arching eyes. "I know well how to deal with spies. Though perhaps not so well when that spy is in a child's doll."
"Not that difficult. Break its head and chuck it into the nearest fire. But probably best to let it be for now, let Van Helsing and the Hunters and our Souls think they have reliable intelligence."
"Yes, excellent Laszlo Cravensworth. A worthy stratagem." Nandor nods regally.
"So, tonight…We storm Castle Dracula." Laszlo beams.
"Yes…Castle Dracula…" Nandor beams.
"Or 2115 Stonewood Drive, in Poughkeepze." Laszlo notes.
"It's Poughkeepsie, Master." Jen corrects.
"Ah, yes, thanks."
"Who knows what formidable defense we shall encounter…" Laszlo, proudly erect. "It may lack stone walls and battlements…Did it have a good alarm system, Jen?"
"I saw an SDS alarm panel, Master. Reasonably good system." She nods.
"Well, we'll have Althea deal with it once we hypnotize her." Laszlo nods. "Or perhaps that housekeeper/governess. A familiar, most like, eh Nandor?"
"Most like…" sage nod.
"She seemed very protective, Master." Jen ponders. "I didn't quite get the sense of an enthralled familiar. I can sense us somewhat now."
"Voluntary, like your Gizmo, Nandor…" Laszlo nods. "We may need to deal with her first, though the less fighting or struggle the better. Think you're up to a summoning, Nandor? At least in the movies and books and in some legends I've heard that was Dracula's old technique with the ladies."
"He used to be far more straightforward about it. A quick stare… 'Woman, you are mine. Are you my wife reborn?' used to be his standard opening, right to the point." Nandor shakes head.
"What about before…?" Laszlo, lewd grin.
"Before? Before what?"
"I mean…Before he was turned and Elisabete was…No more."
"Laszlo Cravensworth…Prince Count Vlad of the Dracule was a most devoted family man and Orthodox Christian husband." Somewhat stern tone.
"Sorry…I'd imagined a lot of you lot were…Somewhat randy, even in your human days."
"No." Nandor, firmly.
"Really?" Laszlo nods thoughtfully, glancing to Jen with smile.
"Well…Perhaps some." Nandor sighs. "As for me, I was very young when the Sultan gave me 37 wives but I treated them with respect. There were no more prostitutes nor camp followers in my tents after my marriage(s)." sigh.
"But I was not so loved as Vlad…Perhaps the one wife thing was a better system. Elisabete followed him round for centuries, calling to him…" shakes head. "We used to joke about it, of course…But now. Now that it's clearly and unquestionably true…" downcast look.
"Now, now…Ole fellow." Laszlo pats him, Jen looking sadly at his weary face.
Master Nandor…You poor thing.
"To be so loved…Well, perhaps you know it, Laszlo Cravensworth. Your wife loved you so much she took you and stayed with you even when attractive suitors repeatedly died for her."
"So she did…" Laszlo, beaming.
"I'm sure your wives miss you dreadfully, Master Nandor. I know I would." Jen, sympathetic pat.
"Thank you, Miss Jennifer, you are most kind." Sigh.
"I want to be very careful with Miss Dracula…Acura. Althea Acura, such a sweet name. I would not wish to harm her, even if Vlad is rather less powerful these days than in his prime."
"Nor would I…And we can't know just how powerful he still is." Laszlo nods. "Though not to worry, dear Jennifer…" to her worried look. "We'll be very discreet. The good Doctor is in Mexico and he'll never know we paid a call."
"I hope not, Master." Jen sighs.
"Pretty girl, eh?" Nandor asks, a bit wistfully. "My girl Irevna was about her age when I was taken. She was a most pretty little girl. Fortunately, I was carried off far away and they fled to the Balkans, then to Greece and Italy, the family breaking up over the years." Sad shake of head.
"Probably for the best, old man." Laszlo suggested. "I was always rather in fear Nadja would insist on meeting all of my descendants and wiping them out."
"Perhaps. Though it was sweet to see my granddaughter many times removed before her unfortunate passing. Vlad is fortunate. Adopted you, said, Miss Jennifer?"
"Yes, sir."
"Wonder how he managed that?" Laszlo, shaking head. "I doubt even Colin Robinson could clear us with social services to that extent."
…
