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 XXXV...
Benicia, California, just across the San Francisco Bay…
"The Seminary will be very pleased to accept your daughter, Mrs. Twitty." The blank-faced woman eyed Kitten, seated across from her, next to Clarissa, in a sealed black carriage, near the Mills Seminary for Young Ladies. "Pray accept my apologies for my hesitation, both you and Mr. Twitty. On rethinking the matter, I see it would be wrong to refuse her." She turned to Nast, currently seated next to her, delicately daubing blood from his mouth with a large and elegant pocket handkerchief. "Your Clarissa is a lovely girl."
"Indeed she is…" "Mr. Twitty"/Nast happily accepting the title, nodded… "I'm sure you'll see to it, Mrs. Cline, that my step-daughter is well-treated and fully allowed to 'blossom' as a young woman at your academy."
"Of course, sir." Wan nod… "Though I fear some of the other young ladies may be uncomfortable in her presence, we will insist on her being treated with all due respect."
"Excellent…Isn't that lovely, Clarissa?" Nast turned to his 'step-daughter's' rather eager face.
"Yes…I'm so pleased, Stepfather…Mother." She beamed. "I've longed to go back to school in Massachusetts but I understand you need me here. Thank you."
"You should, missy." Kitty, grimly. "I never had half the opportunities you've been given. Though it seems you're not likely to do better than…" sneering tone.
"Kity…" Nast, gently but firmly.
"Just make the most of it, dear." Kitty pasted a smile on her face, patting Clarissa's arm.
"I hope Mr. Gregor won't mind my being away all day…" wanly wistful look…
"I've explained it to him." Nast beamed. "Gregor's very pleased to hear you have such an opportunity to continue your studies and improve yourself. He's quite happy about it…Even, surprisingly so…" he eyed Kitty.
"He was very impressed by my reading to him…" Clarissa nodded. "He's quiet but very learned actually."
"Him?" Kitty blinked.
"He does love to read in my study…" Nast nodded. "His command of human language leaves a little to be desired but in fact, as I noted to you, Kitten, his kind are quite intelligent."
"You've been readin' to him? When you're alone with him at night?" Kitty frowned. "Girl, your job's to please the…Your stepfather…By pleasin' Gregor."
"He seemed pleased, Mother." Clarissa, gently.
"You sassin' me, you…!" Kitty raged, moving to strike the girl who drew back a bit but stared at her, unafraid. Nast grabbing her arm. "Stop!" he commanded.
"Kitten!" Nast snapped. "Not in front of our guest. Pray excuse and then completely forget my 'wife's' outburst, Mrs. Cline. She's been in poor health."
"Of course, sir…" Mrs. Cline nodded vaguely.
"Mama, I only meant to say…" Clarissa began, gently.
"It's quite all right, Claire…" Nast put up a hand. "Your Mother is in poor health and gets upset too easily. We know you meant no disrespect. Kitty?" grim stare.
"Sure. I know." Kitten, forcing it out. Nast coldly eyeing her. "Honey." Pat on arm.
"Gregor is very gentle." Clarissa continued. "He only likes to stroke me a little and hear me talk about things and school and such. I've been teaching him to speak better."
"You have?" Nast stared. "How nice…I think that's just fine. Just what he needs, a little polish. Gregor must appreciate it."
"I think he does, stepfather."
"Well, we must hear his progress…Soon. But as to business, Mrs. Cline…This payment…" he turned to the blank-faced Mrs. Cline, raising a small satchel of gold coins and greenbacks from the carriage floor… "Should cover Clarissa's tuition at your fine academy for the year's remainder."
"Yes, sir." Nod, taking the satchel from his hand.
"The hours are from 8am to 3pm I understand? And it is all right that our Clarissa continues to live at home with us."
"Yes, sir. A number of our girls live at home…It might actually…" Pause.
"Please." Nast, kindly.
"Well, some of the girls…Even some of the teachers and staff who haven't met you…And her…"
"I understand…" he nodded.
"But of course I'll see that she's not bothered or harassed, sir." Anxious tone.
"I'm sure you will…And that your people will rise to the occasion. After all, yours is a good Union school, eh? On with human progress." He smiled.
"Yes, sir."
"But, if our Claire should encounter some minor prejudice, never fear. She's a strong person in her quiet way…Indeed." He eyed Clarissa. "And will bear it…With the help of a friend…Eh, Claire?" eyeing her. "You can bear a little coldness from your classmates so long as you can do your work and have a good friend."
"I have, stepfather." Nod.
"As I expected…Indeed, you are a strong character, however gentle in manner." Nast nodded, smiling. Kitty a bit annoyed and somewhat apprehensive…
My girl, the Potential Slayer…And closer to Gregor every day.
If Miguelito were here and in charge…
Well…She eyed Clarissa with keen appraising look…
Yeah, he might…Especially if Antoinette were out of the picture. Pretty and sweet ones were always his weakness too.
Not that I suspect Heinrich of anything Nasty outside mass murder and enslavement of Humanity…As a mate, he's almost amazingly uxorious. And I rather think he likes being a paterfamilias with a sweet wife and daughter of sorts. Well, a wife and sweet daughter of sorts…
Though when that traitorous bitch of his, that Olive, gets here…Sigh, then frown.
I mean what's she got that I haven't got…Besides the young looks, the graces, the education…I got a good business, management skills, a Slayer potential for a daughter, and I was pretty good in my day both as to looks and messin' round. Plus I did learn some science from Miguelito, bet she's all literature and politics…
Nor am I the sort to consider independent action, especially against my own sire…Treacherous bitch.
And I own property in my own name, some pride in her features.
If I could just drain the youth and lifeforce outta you, girlie of mine…She eyed Clarissa.
Still, long as Heinrich likes you and needs you, you're of some use…
"Kitty? Mrs. Cline is returning to her school now." Nast eyed her.
"Oh, yeah. Thanks, ma'am. For taking my daughter and all." Kitty offered a hand. "Thank the nice lady, Claire."
"Thank you, ma'am. I'll work very hard." Clarissa nodded, extending gloved hand which Mrs. Cline took and shook with only a very slight hesitance.
"Oh, one last thing, my dear Cline." Nast halted her as she moved to rise out of her seat. "Of course you realize my dear wife runs an establishment not entirely considered respectable in general good society…"
"Yes, sir…A house of ill repute. Though one of the less unsavory ones…" Nod.
"My place is the finest in Frisco…" Kitty growled.
"Indeed…" Nast quieted her with a stern look. "But it's important that you make it clear Clarissa is a thoroughly respectable girl, Mrs. Cline. Naturally you'd never take a girl anything less but best you keep talk about her parents to a minimum. Just speak of me as a scientist and doctor and Kitty here as a fine woman who runs her own small business."
"Yes, sir. But it might slip out eventually…As to the nature of Mrs. Twitty's business." Cline noted, wanly.
"Oh, it will…Eventually. And offer one more reason for Clarissa to need a friend in the great world, namely the young married woman I've spoken of to you. Just see that Clarissa is kept from any serious censure or harm…I trust you to keep her reputation spotless as to young men, of course…" All the adults dutifully nodding…
"We're very careful in that regard." Mrs. Cline nodded.
"Certainly…And when that young woman arrives, that you take any opportunity to encourage her friendship with Claire, as a kind woman, concerned about your isolated charge. That might even include finding work for Mrs. Potter, I imagine she will be looking for such on her arrival."
"I…I'll try, sir." Mrs. Cline nodded. "Does she have any teaching experience?"
"Difficult to say…But all I can ask is the best you can do." Nod. "I will be in touch, Mrs. Cline. And I hope you and Clarissa will get on very well together. Good evening." Kindly smile.
Mrs. Cline nodding and moving to the door which Dirk Cully, down from his box at a rap from Nast, opened. "Good evening, sir…Mrs. Twitty. Clarissa. Allow me, ma'am." Cline stepping off the carriage rung into the street on his arm. He immediately moving to resume his driver's seat.
"All right, Cully. Home!" Nast called.
"The Slayer, workin' at a ladies school?" Kitty stared as the carriage pulled away from the grounds of the Mills Academy for Ladies.
"Unfortunately, the poor things are rarely bankrolled by the Watchers' Council, the miserly fellows." Nast sighed. "And her husband will need time to become established in his profession…In the short time he has to live, if he reaches this fine city."
"Hard to believe she went and married the guy…A dentist from Brit-land?" Kitty shook head.
"Olive's telegram was quite explicit. A stratagem at first apparently…Clever girl, to use the poor fellow as a lightning rod. But Vladimir believes and she concurs that Mrs. Potter nee Springs is a very contented and devoted wife. Which of course suits my purposes very well. There's no more tragic fate for a Slayer than to fall in love." He offered a solemn look, with smile at end.
"Well, school starts in three days, Clarissa. We must see to it you have clothes and all you need. Kitty? It's dark enough now. Shall we take our dear girl shopping before the emporiums close?"
Kitty repressing a fuming grimace. "Of course, Heinrich."
"Cully! We'll be stopping in town." Nast called.
"Thank your step-pa, girl." Kitty nudged Clarissa.
"Thank you, stepfather. It's very kind of you." Clarissa, wanly.
"Not at all, dear. Must admit I'm very curious about ladies' current fashions here…" he noted, contentedly.
…
"Millie Reynolds, ma'am." The girl had replied to Elisabeth's questioning as she, the Potters, and the Count de la Cule sat in the parlor of the small restaurant they'd chosen. Millie, slipping from a glass of milk, taking bites of the sweet roll Potter had fetched for her with reasonable decorum.
A delightful child, Vladimir thought, contentedly. Sipping at his coffee with a bit of relish. The real thing, not that vile brew from the train…Even the Undead can appreciate quality in mortal food, after all.
"And you're travelin' all alone on the train, out from New York? That's an awful long way to go it alone." Elisabeth continued.
"My mother and fad…father are dead, ma'am. I've only got my auntie in San Francisco…" the girl eyed her with sad eyes. "She couldn't send anyone, it was very sudden. A carriage accident."
Excellent child, delightful child…Dracula eyed his protégé. She remembered every detail perfectly.
"That's terrible." Peter shook head. "You had no one in New York to help you."
"The policemen and doctor and the funeral people were very kind in helping me, sir." Millie eyed him. "But no family abouts. We was…Were, visitin' from the West. Thank you for the milk and roll." She carefully adjusted her frock…
A fine child, sharp as a tack, and so polite…Vladimir beamed at her.
I am good. Perhaps I should consider opening a school for young ladies, teach them basic decorum and proper diction, a smattering of decent manners, some fine cookery, and a few languages. Potentially profitable and filling… A fine stable of ready cows, trained to be true ladies, excellent wives and mothers, a credit to their families. A benefit to this fine country and to me.
Of course must deal with Nast and his Hellmouth schemes first but…
"Not at all…" Peter insisted. "Are you sure you wouldn't like lunch?"
"No, I et…ate on the train, sir." Millie shook head. "But this was very nice. Thank you."
"Why should you have been wanderin' round like this?" Elisabeth asked. "You've got no folks here, do you?"
"Not here, no ma'am." Nod. "I just wanted to walk a bit and see the city."
"Well, that's a little dangerous alone, missie." Frown by Elisabeth.
"Indeed…" Vladimir nodded, earnestly. The girl turning to him.
Don't acknowledge me, dear…Especially not as your Mistress' friend, giving guarded stare.
"I'm sorry if you're angry with me…" she began.
"Not at all…" Vladimir, firmly and hastily. "We're all just worried about a young girl being out here in the great city unattended. But we're glad to have come across you, dear."
"Yes, indeed." Potter agreed. "I think you'd best stay with us until we can get you back. It's not safe out here."
"Who's the auntie?" Elisabeth asked.
"Ma'am?" Millie stared.
The acid test…Vladimir stared.
"Mrs. Jonah Wilkens, ma'am. My mother's sister in San Francisco, my aunt Josie." The girl patted her mouth with napkin, smiling pleasantly.
Very well done, dear…He beamed. And kudos to me for foresight in providing such information.
Pleasant name, "Josie"…So American. I liked it the moment my last victim in New York told me her name.
"Too bad she couldn't've come for you…Or sent someone." Elisabeth noted.
"There's only her and she has a farm and a store in town to run…It was too short notice."
"I suppose so…" Elisabeth eyed her. "Well, I gotta try one of those cream cakes…You want one, honey?" the girl shaking head, smiling thanks.
"Come on, Peter, lemme get you something…I don't want to eat alone." she rose and glanced at Potter with an urgent look.
Hmmn…Vladimir blinked.
Clearly something…
But dear Millie was perfect…Though I suppose her appearance on train with corpses could lead to suspicion, especially her appearing here, potentially following the Slayer…
Potter staring but following Elisabeth dutifully…
"Beth?"
"Keep it quiet…" she hissed, leading him to the glass counter at the back of the parlor.
Vladimir smiling pleasantly at the girl as they sat, she having resumed sipping her glass. Her hasty look at him immediately repressed as he eyed her to remain silent.
"You think something's wrong…That little girl?" Peter eyed Elisabeth as they stood at the counter.
"Nice cakes…Though them eclairs look pretty damned good…" she pointed at the case.
"Beth?"
"Éclair?" she asked.
"Fine…What is it?"
"Just a little odd…Two eclairs, friend." She raised voice to catch the attention of the counterperson. "And some more tea and coffee, please."
"You think she's…" he looked back over at Millie who was glancing his way with a most pleasant and innocent smile.
"No, not one of them…But it's kinda strange, ya know. She could be workin' for one or…Taken for a helper. They can do that, ya know."
"Taken…"
"A little blood out and some hypnosis and they'll do as they're told…But I couldn't say fer sure. She might be on the up-and-up." Shrug.
"But surely not a little girl…"
"You think they care about that…?" she eyed him. "Peter, the Undead enjoy things like that, killing or playing with us, it's sportin' for them."
He looked back to see Vladimir speaking to the girl earnestly…Dracula pausing to look his way, a friendly glance.
"Do you sense something about her? Can you tell?"
"No and sometimes…" Elisabeth took her purse out. "No, this one's on me, sweetie." A sincere smile. "Time the Council put out for you." Hiss.
"I'm not sayin' fer sure, just wondering…" shrug to his look.
"But there are a lot of adults on the train…" Peter, pondering. "You were a bit suspicious of the Count and Miss Giles…And others, like that Miss Sinclair."
"Didn't said I'd stopped being so…And your buddy was the one who saw Willie last. Though they did pass a chance on me when I was sick." she noted, laying out coins. "Thanks." She told the counterman. "Keep the change." He nodding. "Pete?" she indicated the plates as she took the filled cups and saucers set for them, Potter taking the two plates with eclairs…
"But so far…They seem ok. But Nast likes bein' clever and this kid's showin' is just a bit too coincidental. Lets just be careful round her. All of 'em."
"Certainly…" he nodded.
"And I mean your new best friend, too." She eyed him, turning to smile over at Vladimir.
"I'm doing so, dear." Peter noted. "I'm not a complete fool."
"I wouldn't have spilled things to ya or keep ya around if you were…" she eyed him. "Come on." Arch look to his wry smile.
"Here we go…" she set down the cups. "Honey? You and the Count split yours and I'll split with Millie."
"Delighted…" Dracula smiled at her. "And thank you. The rolls were excellent, this I'm sure will be worthy of Vienna." He took the éclair half on his plate.
"Thank you, miss." Millie nodded at the offering as Elisabeth set the piece on her plate.
"Miss Reynolds here was telling me her aunt raises horses…" Vladimir smiled. "I was telling her of some of the fine ones we had in my homeland. My…There is nothing more beautiful than a well-bred horse. Do you ride, Potter?"
"A bit, when I can…Not all that well." Peter noted. "London's not a great place for horsemen in the City now."
"No, truly…But your countryside has some of the finest. I adore the Investec Derby." Vladimir beamed. "Have you been?"
"Once, years ago." Peter nodded. "It's a beautiful sight, to be sure, if one loves horses."
"Indeed…And although I lack much in the way of great wealth and so could never afford to run a horse, I do my best to attend as often as possible."
"Must be pretty nice…" Elisabeth noted.
"You should take her sometime, Peter…And show her all of England." Vladimir enthused. "While my own heart belongs in Romania…I do love England."
"Yeah, we'll have to go sometime. See his folks and the sights." Elisabeth nodded.
"Land of Shakespeare, Blake, Johnson…Jane Austin." Vladimir beamed. "You'll love it, my dear."
"Soon as my boy here makes a pile in gold teeth…" Elisabeth, wry smile to Potter who bowed.
"I think you'll do so very quickly…Especially if most people eat like this." Vladimir, biting into his éclair piece. "Oh, very good. Very good, sir!" he called to the counterman who nodded thanks.
"You like it, Millie?" Peter smiled at the girl who nodded.
"Real fine, sir. Thanks again, ma'am." She gave faint smile to Elisabeth.
"Sure, honey. So…Your parents are in the coffins on the train, the other two?"
"Yes, ma'am." Tearing up a bit.
"Oh, my dear…" Vladimir, sympathetically. Reaching to pat her hand.
Excellent job, girl.
"Sorry to bring it up…" Elisabeth eyed her. "Just wish you had someone to help you out. If you're heading for Frisco, though, you'll have to transfer by wagon to the Union Pacific line."
"Yes, ma'am…They told me." Millie nodded. "I'll make arrangements when we reach the end of the line."
"Oh, well…Perhaps we can assist you then." Vladimir noted. "Of course the Potters are headed south to Los Angeles but my secretary and I are bound for San Francisco."
Though we will be pushing on once we've met with good ole Heinrich there. And it's the best way to avoid suspicion, following along too closely, he thought.
"Thanks, sir." Millie smiled at him.
"Yeah, we'll all help see you get things sorted." Elisabeth agreed. "Indeed." Peter nodded.
"Heya…" a call from the doorway. "Nice to see ya again…" Detective Harris in his private suit, Ana on his arm.
"Detective Harris! Good to see you up and about." Vladimir rose to greet him, shaking hands.
"I'm doing better, thanks Count." Harris nodded. "And thanks again for the loan of the room."
"Not at all…" Vladimir smiled. "But you were lucky to have such a fine nurse in Miss Ana here."
"I kept him in line some." Ana agreed, nodding. "Nice place. How's their stuff?"
"Very fine indeed. I recommend the eclairs." Vladimir beamed. "Oh, and this dear child…" he turned back to the table where the Potters and Millie sat. "Is Miss Reynolds, traveling alone with us on the train."
"Alone?" Ana eyed the girl.
"Millie's parents met with an unfortunate accident in New York." Potter who had likewise risen, explained. "She's bringing them home. Harris, glad to see you feeling better." Shaking the detective's hand in turn. Hey, doc…The detective nodded.
"Oh, that's terrible." Ana stared at the girl who regarded her calmly, nodding.
"Yes. Thanks, ma'am." Millie offered wan smile.
Odd…Ana stared.
Have I seen her somewheres? Must have been on the train, of course.