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 XXXIV…
"What an amazing country this is…" Vladimir noted expansively as he and the Potters strolled under the protection of a series of awnings, he careful not to seem too anxious to keep his umbrella in protective position, despite a mostly sunny day. "Imagine a metropolis like this springing up in the middle of the prairie country, little more than thirty years ago." His wave of arm encompassing the vast city.
"It is amazing, Count." Potter agreed. "I think only the founding of Constantinople can compare, really."
"Indeed, my friend…" eager nod. "And that had the mandate of the great Constantine and all the resources of Rome to build it. Here…" he opened arms expansively. "Simply the will and skill of a great people…"
"Thanks." Elisabeth, dryly. "But there's a lot of the old Nick here too. Not quite a paradise on terra firma."
"Oh, no…Certainly not, but that makes it exciting…Vibrant." Vladimir beamed. "And don't underestimate your people, no offense, Mrs. Potter…They are striving for greatness, that's the important thing. We may never fully achieve it, but the striving makes our existence worthwhile. In my own country, all we have left is the striving…But it still keeps us alive. But I hope my chattering away with Dr. Potter hasn't been too rude…" beaming smile. "I think our mutual love for history and social development carries us away a bit, even in the presence of such a lovely lady."
"No, it's fine. I enjoy hearing ya jaw…It's nice to know I married a guy who knows history and all that as well as his way around a mouth." She smiled as they continued on.
"The mouth thing I accept. Afraid I just enjoy talking as to the rest…" Peter noted.
"Oh, Doctor…" Vladimir wagged a finger. "Don't disturb a new bride's illusions." Warm smile.
He's a charmer, no quest… Elisabeth thought. "You married Count?"
"I was to be…The usual sort of aristocratic cousin twice removed, as you may imagine." He smiled ruefully. "Not really to my liking…We decided not to 'take the plunge' as you say."
Ah, the dreams of yesteryear…1527 to be precise, I believe.
I always did wonder how cousin Delphina Elisabeta made out once the human family had fled to Hungary. She wasn't really a bad sort…Rather chubby and not all that as to intellect but very cuddly and warm as I recall. Just not the mate I had in mind for all Eternity once turned. Likely a fine breeder of sons…Probably did the family proud there.
"Makes yer quite the eligible bachelor then." Elisabeth noted, pausing by a small cafe. "I'm dusty and the doc said I should keep drinking. You two gents care to escort a lady into this estab and getting her a sarsaparilla?"
"Of course…" Peter smiled. "Count?"
"With pleasure…" beam.
Truly…He eyed the moving clouds.
"Excuse me, sir…Miss." A young voice, all turning to see a wan young girl…That young girl riding alone, Potter noted to himself.
"You're from our train, sir? Do you know the way back, I'm a bit lost."
Vladimir eyeing her with gentle smile…Elisabeth a bit perturbed.
"They shouldn't have let you wander out here, kid. The train station's back that way." She pointed. "But maybe you best come in with us and have a drink, we can take you back."
"Yes, you shouldn't be alone here. Please come in and have something, it's a warm and dusty day to be out. I'd be happy to take you back myself." Vladimir noted.
And excellent diction, girl…He beamed at her. You've been most attentive to our lessons.
…
San Francisco…The Twitty establishment…
"Have I done well, stepfather?" the newly returned Clarissa addressed Nast in the basement parlor as he looked over her checked-off inventory list.
"Girl! The Master is busy!" Kitten fumed, her ample flesh rolling with rage. Clarissa, mild stare, apologetic…But no real fear, Kitten noted, to some concern.
"Stepfather…Dear." Nast corrected Kitty with a raised finger. "It's easier for her, I'm sure."
"Easier…" Kitty groused. Nast frowning at her…
You dare mock me…? And scorn my admittedly not blood kin but still, stepdaughter?
"I'm sorry, Mama…" Clarissa, vaguely sensing trouble. "I don't mean to bother Stepfather."
"Apologize to the girl, Kitten. You were wrong to be harsh with her. And you have done well, Clarissa." Nast nodded, beaming at the girl who smiled demurely and nodded. "Everything is here, you've performed admirably, just as I'd expected."
"Kitty…" he eyed the mother coldly.
"I…Apologize."
"Your mother is upset by recent events but loves you as always, naturally." Nast noted.
Kitten visibly reddening…
Still, clearly the Master demands it…He regarding her a long moment.
"Yes…Of course…Honey." She added, sensing Nast's growing if politely concealed rage. He calming at the implied obeisance. "Good girl."
That's more like it, bitch.
"Thank you, Mama." Nod.
"Yes, that's fine." He beamed. "And everything's now safely arrived and stored, waiting for us…And the Slayer."
"The…Slayer…" Clarissa intoned. "She's waiting…For us?" she looked at Nast.
"Oh yes. And I think you two are going to be the best of friends. She's very near you in age, sweetheart."
"She may not care to be friends with…" Kitty paused at Nast's hard look and Clarissa's puzzled, vaguely woeful one.
"…Someone like Claire. A hostess in a bordello, after all." Sneer…
Though maybe in New York they like to associate with the darkies…
If you could hear your soul screaming right now, Nast sighed, shaking head at her, she staring. Hmmn?
"I feel certain Miss Springs has no prejudices, or at least not many." He noted, shrugging. "As for our Clarissa's occupation… When she meets Miss Springs, there'll be no need to mention it…Or remember it. Clarissa was after all, just a mere schoolgirl but a few days ago."
"I see…" Kitty frowned. "Of course. She's far too good to be associated with the likes of me."
"Mama?" Clarissa, sincerely disturbed. "I don't…"
"Oh, be quiet, you stupid little…!" Kitty glared.
"Kitten." Nast cut her off. "That's enough. Clarissa loves her mother, of course. But she has lived a different life, haven't you, dear? The one, yourself, Kitten, chose for her, didn't you?"
"One I scraped and scrimped and suffered to give her." Kitty frowned.
"I'm grateful, Mama…I am." Clarissa noted.
A pounding on the door, a growl. Kitten eyeing Nast.
"Yes, come in…Gregor." He called.
"Stop being a fool…" he hissed to Kitty, moving to her as Gregor entered, looking round. Clarissa smiling at him.
"Yes, my boy? I was just thanking our Claire here for the fine job she and you did in Los Angeles." Nast beamed at him. Gregor eyeing the group.
"Clair…Good?" he addressed Clarissa.
"Fine, Mr. Gregor." She nodded, with wan smile. He nodding.
Kitten blinking…Glance to Nast.
This is getting dangerous, her look clear. He returning a nonchalant look.
"But back to our last concern…Miss Springs' arrival, either here or in Los Angeles. Clarissa? I intend that you should meet her, become friends with her."
"Yes, stepfather." Nod. Ummn… "Is she black, stepfather?"
"No, indeed…Quite white, though a true daughter of the citizenry, I understand. But I'm sure you'll find her amenable."
"Heinrich…" Kitty, a bit stridently, then quietly at his look. "Perhaps we should discuss this…"
"There is nothing to discuss, my dear." Grim eyeing. "I intend that our Claire and Miss Elisabeth Springs should become acquainted, even close friends, as soon as possible once we confirm her arrival. Is that agreeable to you, Kitty?" hard look.
"Of course, Heinrich…I think it would be very nice." Kitty, gulping a bit at his look.
Clearly a key part of his plan this…Best not to cross him. Makes for a miserably lonely night and much of the day, as well as threatenin' my existence.
"Yes. Clarissa? You'd like to have a new friend, near your age here, wouldn't you?"
"Yes, stepfather." Nod.
"Good, all settled then. Though your mother is right, you'll need to return to school in some form…Kitty? I understand there are several academies now opened in San Francisco for young ladies…"
"Heinrich." Kitty, sputtering a bit. "I had to send Claire to New England for her education…"
"One will gladly take her in these advanced times of emancipation and equality…" Nast insisted, firmly. "I'll see to that, don't worry. You'd like to return to school, wouldn't you, Clarissa?"
"Oh, yes…Could I?" some eagerness. "I'd love to go back to Massachusetts…" some cloudiness lifting…
Gregor, sudden look of concern…And, anxiety…
"Oh, no, dear." Nast corrected her firmly. "You'll stay right here in California. We'll find a place right here in the city. You'd much prefer to stay with your mother and me, wouldn't you?" he eyed her steadily.
"Yes…" she breathed. "I'd prefer to stay…With you and Mama…"
"And dear Gregor of course…That goes without saying." He smiled at her, then Gregor.
"Oh, yes." Nod. A wan but surprisingly fond look to Gregor…Kitty frowning at the look.
Trouble, no doubt.
"Yes, a sweet schoolgirl perhaps not always treated with kindness by her mates…I should think the Slayer would find you a very congenial companion. And she should sense a kinship."
"Kinship?" Kitty frowned.
"Beyond mere race or family, dear." Nast noted. "After all, she and Clarissa share a legacy."
That's what worries me…Kitten thought.
Apart of course from her and Gregor…
…
"What is concerning you, my dear?" Nast eyed her as they sat in the parlor alone, the one girl used by them as cow for the evening now led, wobbling off, away by another. Clarissa sent off by him to clean up and rest from her weary journey.
He having insisted to Kitty that it would not be necessary for her to resume her duties as hostess to Kitty's immediately bridled fuming.
Betsy would do fine…
Betsy…Kitty rolling eyes.
And just when her useless burden of a daughter was just finally startin to amount to somethin' in the profession…At least in terms of impressing the guests with quiet elegance as Hostess.
Now if he could've just seen to letting her join the other girls…The fees some of the boys had been willin' to offer for her.
A promisin' career nipped. Unless…
"Heinrich, darling…Master." Kitty sighed, correcting at his look which relented a bit.
"Please, dear…'Master' is unnecessary." He smiled, patting her.
So long as we both know your place…
"…You're concerned about Clarissa meeting the Slayer?" he asked.
"About many things, but yeah…Especially that. I see where having a spy befriending the Slayer's not a bad notion but, my girl? You said Claire is the potential Slayer, what if meeting this chit of a girl frees her from me?" Carefully avoiding the likely enraging… "And you…"
"Oh, I don't believe she'd ever abandon her feelings for her Mother…" he smiled.
She closed eyes… "I'm only concerned for you and your plans, Heinrich…If it was just me in danger…"
"You need have no fear." He shook head. "Clarissa won't be turned from you, I assure you. Her bond to you is far too deep as mother and enthraller. And strengthened by me. I trust you trust in that."
"Of course…" sigh. "Fine, then…But…"
"Clarissa will be the last person the Slayer would expect me to send to her. Don't worry, Kitten. All will be well there."
"There's still…" pause at his look.
"Yes?"
"The school for her…Not many here even now'll take a darky."
"A minor matter of light enthrallment of a reasonably progressive schoolmaster or mistress." Smile.
"And…?" he eyed.
"Yeah…Look, she and Gregor are gettin' too close." She insisted. "He's almost ready to take you on for her."
"You think so…?" cool smile.
"Master…Sorry, Heinrich…I only am afraid for you." Anxious look.
"Gregor is best kept to my side by his affection for your daughter, my dear. He'll do anything to keep her near and safe. So long as our views on her nearness and safekeeping coincide, he'll have no reason to be…Troublesome."
"And what if they…Don't? One day."
"I will be ready for that day, don't fear." Stern look. "Calm yourself, dearest Kitty…" he took her hand. "Gregor wants her with him forever. He wants my plans to triumph and to see her turned and brided to him for all Eternity in my paradisiacal Kingdom on Earth. He won't make trouble, rest assured. But if he ever did…I will deal with that." Cool smile. "Be guided by me, dear Kitty."
"All right, Heinrich." She nodded, avoiding his look.
"Kitty…?" he smiled at her, she sheepishly kissing him. "You know this is a great honor to you as well as your daughter that he should choose her for his mate."
"I guess, yeah…" sigh, faint smile.
"There we go…Good girl, dear Kitty." He patted her. "Imagine the sort of place this will be with you and she and the other girls properly turned and showing the mere humans we allow survival what torments and delights the vampiral can offer."
"Should be quite a place then…" she nodded. "But we'll still have clients? Humans?"
"Why not? Will we not need vast herds to sustain us? And will they not need some sort of entertainment to mitigate the agonies of their all too brief existences. I'm not a cruel master, mortal life is so short, after all. It should have some pleasures, however demented or terrifying."
"You're too kind to them, Heinrich." She shook head.
"Ah, well." Offhand wave. "What's Immortality and Absolute Power if you can't display a bit of kindness now and then?"