What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."

Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar...

Part LXXXXI…

(Vaguely, in the background, the theme "It's Gonna Be a Great Day" rolling and building…)

"There it is…Come, look at it, my love." Laszlo, in rather antique English nightshirt with cap, grandiosely turning back to a Nadja, rather a bit nervous at her first sunrise in hundreds of years, minus those few minutes in a football helmet, clutching blankets close to her chin in her new bed/coffin.

"Tis the blessed sun…Ah, see how she rises, golden hairs streaming…" Laszlo pulling back just a bit… "Just want to take a little care there…"

"Yes! Yes!" Nadja cries. "Remember Edgar and his damned Fosters' glasses!"

"But, no…Look, see…" Rather flamboyant wave of hand… "I am unhurt. The dear sun chastises me not for my many sins. I Unlive yet." Smile as he stands in the light of the sun…Transmitted through the specially treated windows…Complete with emergency alarm steel shutters in the event of unfortunate incidents.

"Oh…Blow it, Laszlo. All that just to pose…" Nadja, fuming. "And to make fun of my and my perfectly legitimate concern." Glare.

"Not at all, my love. I may have enjoyed a grand gesture, but I didn't mean to tease you. Come on, then, come up and see the sun…" Laszlo beams, extending a hand.

"Open that window and you'll see your innards fired." Nadja grouses but after a moment pulls covers back and sits up…Cautiously.

"It's working perfectly. A miracle of human Science. Oh, we must really see that the inventor is either spared to grace a full mortal life or joins us in eternity, their choice." Laszlo beams, looking off. "And what a magnificent view…Oh…" he shakes head. "Like my uncle's old estate in Derbyshire. We really must go…"

"Like something was stopping you taking me?" Nadja grouses. "Gypsy blood, perhaps?"

"Blood, dear. I didn't want my relatives' shed. We've discussed that, ad infinitum. But we could go now and perhaps bring some of this amazing equipment…?"

"What? Visit with this VU, UV stuff?"

"Why not? A medical condition renders us a bit sensitive, we, tragically ill, but otherwise typical humans, use it to allow us to enjoy strong sun...Indoors."

"And the space suit thing outside?"

"We could find an explanation…But later, during our travels…" he notes.

Oh…Nadja, gulping a bit.

Yes…

After a few more days…Tonight's big party…Tomorrow's settlement with the Vampiric Council…We go. Flee…

Run the hell like f-ing cowards…But Unlive f-ing cowards.

And it is safer for the girls, too…

Perhaps never to see this lovely place again…Or our rather untroublesome human friends…She bows head a bit…

"Nadja?" Laszlo, honestly shocked, hurrying to her. "My darling…Are you crying, my angel?"

"Oh…Laszlo! Why do we have to go? What have we done?" she weeps.

"Well, for starters…We did murder a few people rather viciously in a radius of a few miles, for starters that is…" he notes.

"Well, that's just to live…Unlive. We were…Rarely…Cruel about it. Were we?"

"Not at all…" he pats her hand, kissing her face. "No…We always tried to be nice. Never killed anyone fairly nice who seemed to have family in need of them."

"That's true…" she nods. "Well, there was that thrill-killing decade…"

"Yes. I blame Oliver Stone. But you are blameless, my angel. No human with an ounce of compassion or less than a stone for a heart that that mad German doctor put there could not think so."

"Van Helsing doesn't. His Hunters don't."

"Psychopaths and religious fanatics the lot of them."

"Dracula…'Dr. Acura' and his supposedly sweet little adopted Slayer girl…"

"More of the same and Drac's clearly got a guilt complex. To do with his wife, I suppose." Laszlo notes. "We may get more info on that tonight."

"Oh…" Nadja suddenly shifting gears to Laszlo's startle…

After all this time her mood swings still bewilder me…

"We're meeting Count Dr. Dracula/Acura tonight. Oh, you must be at your most suave and urbanely charming, my Laszlo. A true British gentleman…He knows the type well."

"Indeed. And, so I will… My Lady Cravensworth…" he extends a hand. "Come, one more good look at the dawn and lets have a bit of fun before the day gets too busy."

"Laszlo…" coy smile. "I don't want to muss up the new bed…Think of poor Jacqueline and the girls. They've enough to do."

"Oh…I think this is one chore they'd not mind. Our girls at least." He smiles, coming to her. "Our daughters, of a kind…"

"We'll stay in touch…Whether we travel or…?" she flits fingers to symbolize dust particles descending to ground.

"We will. But we won't be dust, darling. Have faith. We'll see it though, together."

She rose out the bed with sigh… "That was very nice, really. Sleeping in a bed of sorts, again. I'm getting more used to it now. Of course, I never slept in a real bed when mortal except once or twice with a boyfriend in town."

"A Lover?" Laszlo, shrewdly. "Pray, tell me whom I must seek to, as it were 'Jeff'? Or 'Gregor'?" smile.

Frown… "Laszlo, don't be tiresome. Though I suppose you would, you jealous devil." Grin. "But it was long before you and they are long dead."

"Kind and respectful to you, whilst wild and animalistic in bed, I hope?"

"They were better than most…" shrug. "All I could hope for then…Before you." She eyes me.

"Don't leave me…For her?" she begs, taking his hand.

"My love? For another woman…Never…Except, you know…As a passing thing when bored or you're off your nut."

"You know what I mean, Laszlo." Grim tone. "Not her. Not my soul."

"I'd expect I couldn't, love. My own soul would do that…Stands to reason, eh? Soul to soul, demon to demon…"

"Maybe…I hope so…But…Promise me?"

"I promise. Now, come and dance with me in the sunshine and then we'll make out like minks and then we'll see if we can be of any help today."

"You are a very thoughtful employer, Mr. Cravensworth. I have always liked that about you." She smiles, taking his hand for the dance.

"Comes with being British, dear."

(That "Great Day…" theme continuing in the background…)

Nandor, up and in the vast entertainment and service area of the basement…

"I have had this model of the battle of Varna set up in this wonderful space here…" he waves hand to indicate model. "Jennifer's very nice husband was very helpful here in finding some really expert people who…Model battles...That he told Jen of. Guillermo, before he abandoned me, was not so helpful in his expert people. They prefer to wear uniforms and play war. Which is nice but you cannot be so accurate or have so many soldiers on the field. Come, look at my little soldiers… Vlad will so appreciate this, this was one I know he missed, he was off killing people in Wallachia when this last Crusader army came down from Hungary and did very well at first until it got slaughtered." Shrug. "I was fortunate to miss the battle also. I was conquering part of Iraq for the Sultan. He was a nice man and kind enough to sense I might feel uncomfortable slaughtering Christians who were coming to save the old Empire, even if I was Undead. I would have been, I think." Nods, leading us over to the huge table on which the miniature battlefield was set.

"I hope Dr. David, our Miss Jen's nice husband, will appreciate this chance to see a medieval battle in full display. I love it…Especially since when you are in the midst of such battles, killing and pillaging and raping and slaughtering or sometimes, rescuing people if you get hold of yourself and don't kill your own side, you don't get the full experience. See…?" he points to a figure, taking it and lifting to show...The small piece beautifully decorated in medieval costume, sword in hand pointed in charge. "This little man is the brave King of Hungary, leading his men to the attack, though he knows it's a bad idea. He didn't want to attack, they made him. I know the feeling." Shakes head. "But…They never listen…" sigh. "Sorry, little brave king."

"I think Vlad will love it. I really am looking forward to seeing him again and getting a few moments to talk over the old days with a good stein of blood…Beer in his case." Pause. "And then, for the good of all…I hope he will respect my wishes and kill me. Or whatever it is he plans for us, but just for me. It might be fun to end up like Vlad…A midway vampire/human and a hero. Maybe we could work together…" wistful stare.

"Oh, Miss…" apologetic look to camera person. "Please don't cry…This might be a very happy ending for all involved. Think of how proud the great Dracula would be to save his old friend/enemy." Smile. "I hope that gets him in good for getting his wife back…I have to ask about that and how long it takes and all…A hundred years doesn't seem unfair to me and I think I understand he does get to speak to her now and then while they work out their marital and Undead difficulties." Pause… "Well, I would like to speak more with my horse, John. And my boys…And daughters…And my wives, though I know some would not like to speak to me." Sigh. "But such is life and unlife, eh?"

"So, let me show you what happened in the battle…I want to have the details down for the guys tonight…" he turns back to the table.

(Theme continues in background…)

"So? You gonna tell me or no?" Susan seated at hotel restaurant table for breakfast with Guillermo at his left, Phyllis to his right…

"Miss Acura just wanted to say hello and hope we were all well and to say she was looking forward to seeing us tonight…" he shrugs.

"You drive me crazy, Gui." She frowns. "She must have said more than that."

"Did she, Gui?" Phyllis, kindly. "If she said something we need to know, it's really better if we know than we find out too late…"

"Just that she promises as far as she can, tonight will be peaceful. Just a nice chance for Nandor and her dad to get together and all of us to see the new place…"

"You believe her?" Susan eyes him.

"I do. She's got no need to lie."

"Ok, then." Nod.

"That's it." He eyes her.

"That's it. If you say she's telling the truth…" Sue shrugs. "I believe in you and that's all that counts."

"Thanks…"

"I'll have to kill her if it turns out otherwise…Or she'll likely kill me…" eyeing him carefully.

"Ok…" She grins. "So, I do matter to you…And you believe her. Alrighty then, lets get breakfast and see a few sights on ma honey's new nickel." She pats his rather startled hand.

Phyllis nodding, winsome smile…Lets.

Best friend and occasional f-buddy when things go rough isn't so bad…If it has to be and my Gui's happy.

"Oh, Lord. I gotta call Greg." She notes, embarrassed.