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 XL...
"I suppose…" Olive, removing hatpin and setting down her hat on table, hesitated, eyeing her erstwhile "employer" Vladimir as he sat at writing table in his restored sleeper compartment, she, having, with remarkable willingness, agreed to put a bit more time in as his assistant, writing up his account, sanitized for the non-Undead reading public, of their travels along the new transcontinental railway system. The rolling landscape of Illinois just visible in the gathering darkness through the compartment window…
"Olive, my dear…" Vladimir put up a kindly hand. "There's no reason to again explain. I've not only told you I accept your decision to take Mr. Wainswright as your future mate, but I agree it's one more way to keep the Slayer off balance as to us. Though, honestly, I do fear you risk your heart here."
"I only meant to thank you for the little engagement party, Vladimir." She noted, drily. "It was kind of you."
"Not at all…And the sentiment was, as I've said, quite sincere. I'm glad for you. It's always nice to find one's potential immortal mate. And Wainswright, whatever the future nature of his demon, seems a good and able man, who seems not only to care for you but to be quite compatible with you."
"Thank you…" she noted, just a bit coyly. He inwardly trying to repress a shake of head. Olive?
"And you're not taking him till after you arrive in California should be very helpful regards the Slayer. Though are you sure…?" he paused.
"I have a great deal of self-control, Vladimir. You of all people should be aware of that." Eyeing him coolly.
"Indeed. And regards our own relationship…"
"Clearly, I'd like the world to continue in relatively stable form, with certain reformations, some of which may run counter to Heinrich's views. And I may have some difficulty with my sire over my choice of mate." She noted, carefully. "You may take that as you will regards our relationship."
"I will choose, within sensible limits of trust, to take it positively." He nodded. "And again, my dear…My sincerest congratulations. Now, if we may set to our task? It would be an excellent thing if we had a sizable volume of material to transmit tomorrow and Dr. Potter has kindly offered to review it for us as a test reader."
"All right…Sir." Olive, dry smile. "Lets to it, then." She, taking seat, and accepting a sheaf of papers from him, looking them over. "You're rather a good descriptive writer, Vladimir, I must say, despite a little understandable trouble with English grammar. Lucky for you, you've employed a capable assistant, with 'special abilities'."
"High praise, given your training in your life as a editor and secretary, my dear." He bowed.
My demon gods she has mellowed, Vladimir thought, eyeing her as she set to work, reading and making notes. I begin to see and rather to fear this strange power Love has. First, Granduncle Vlad, the most famed of all vampires, now Olive…Though in Grandunk's case, I did think it partly the vanity appeal of being the first, or at least the first widely known and famed case of vampiral redemption, whereas with Olive, as yet…So far as I can know…She's not renounced killing nor sought the dread R word.
It has been to my benefit, in her case, after all. Not only giving me a potential hold on her in the hefty form of the human she's taken fancy to and would not want me to destroy or enslave…But potentially recruiting her for Team Dracule. Or at least independent team, Wainswright-Giles.
Though the jury's not yet out on these things…And I should proceed carefully with my potential ally…He eyed her as she wrote, intent on her work.
A rap at the door causing them both to eye each other…
Human, familiar…Ah, our friendly conductor, Vladimir realized.
"Excuse us there, Count? Sorry to bother you…" the conductor's voice through door.
Olive eyeing him as he rose…Should I?
"Stay please, I'll tend to this, my dear." He smiled. "Mr. Johnson, how are you?" as he opened door.
"Good, Count. Glad to see I didn't wake you or Miss Giles." Johnson, a portly, balding fellow in conductor's uniform, cap in hand, smiling. "Just that there's a bit of an urgent matter, according to the fellow just come down here after our last stop."
"We stopped two hours ago, Mr. Johnson." Olive noted.
"He had a little trouble coming here from his car, ma'am." Hesitant pause.
"Someone who needs to see us? Urgently?" Vladimir, genuinely concerned now.
Clearly Nast's minion or just possibly, one of mine…Or…? He turned to eye Olive who gave slight shrug. Not mine, nor did I know of anyone coming…
Still, could be Heinrich wanted to make a more direct physical contact than by his telegrams…She thought.
"He says so, the man…" Johnson, clearly a bit discomfited.
"Well…" Vladimir smiled. "If he's come with an urgent matter, let us see him, by all means."
"Right, sir. Uh…" Johnson, pausing again, eloquent look at Miss Giles who smiled at him.
Normally? I'd at least already be knee-deep in sarcasm way over your yokel's head, you pitiful mortal cog in the wealthy's machine. Or, if situation and time permitted, feasting on your remains and planning a discreet disposal of the leavings.
But this evening, I'm in a good mood and willing to be amused by your clear attempt to be delicate in the presence of a lady.
Indeed, almost a bit nice to be considered such again…Though my revolutionary fervor burns as brightly as ever…I'm just in such a good mood, she offered yet another beam the conductor's nervous way.
I wonder if Ollie's up as promised, waiting for me. Though really he should get to bed and not keep working at his sales books and such, she thought, fondly. Hopefully after our tubby friend here gets through his rather ponderous exposition and we've put him at ease or whatever else needs to be done with him, I can get a few moments' break and go put my own cuddly chubby bear to bed.
"Yes? Mr. Johnson?" Vladimir eyed him.
"It's just…Sir, if I could have a word?" Johnson urged.
"Please." Olive beamed. "If you gentlemen need me to retire for a moment…?"
Olive? Vladimir stared.
"Well, if I could just have the Count see the fellar on his lonesome?" Johnson suggested.
What the hell, man? Vladimir eyed him, puzzled.
Who has Nast sent to us?
Or is it the Watchers? An ultimatum? An assassin?
"I'll go and see the gentleman…By your leave, Miss Giles?" he politely addressed Olive.
"Oh, certainly, Count de la Cule." She nodded. "I'll continue with my editing."
"Come, my friend…" Vladimir turned to Johnson, now looking considerably relieved… "Lets meeting this mysterious visitor bearing urgent tidings."
"Right, sir. Good night, Miss!" Johnson, heartily.
"Oh, good night." Olive, pleasantly.
The world is such a nice place, really. A pity to destroy it, she thought as the door closed.
Could slip over and order Ollie to bed, he works too hard. But, I don't want him or Vladimir to think I'm irresponsible…
After Vladimir gets back, plenty of time… Allowing for a little talk and maybe, just a bit of…Blushing a bit.
Nothing unnatural about it, plenty of vampires have relations with humans…Usually to engender trust or achieve the perfect irony before a kill, but…I have heard…Whispered…
And what's wrong with that? We were human once. Though Ollie is such a gentleman, he won't want to go beyond a sweet kiss or two. Perhaps a cuddle…
And my hair could use a brushing…He's never seen it down, yet.
"Thanks for your consideration, Count." Johnson noted as he led the Count down the passageway. "I was a bit nervous about the lady's having to meet this feller. Though, I've nothing against them myself…"
"Indeed." Vladimir nodded, intrigued.
"This is him, I had him wait in the empty couch section." Johnson, indicating the same Lloyd whom Nast had "befriended" several weeks before in the Great American West. Now looking reasonably rested and relatively prosperous in respectably middle-class clothing, though somewhat apprehensive.
"Count…De la Cule?" the man rose. "Lloyd Cochran." Offering hand, which the vampire took and shook without hesitation, Johnson observing…
Vladimir taking in the neatly dressed young man…Definitely not of our persuasion. Interesting…
But perhaps a black man finds Nast's employ too lucrative to refuse?
"Mr. Cochran. A pleasure. I understand you come to me bearing an urgent message…?"
"If we could have a moment…?" Cochran eyed him then Johnson.
"Mr. Johnson, thank you for your attentiveness. I greatly appreciate your trouble. I'll take care of the matter and see Mr. Cochran to his section."
"Uh, sure, Count…Night, gents." Johnson, politely.
"I'm sorry if you've had any trouble coming to us…" Vladimir noted politely waving Cochran to a seat and taking one beside him to the departing Johnson's slight startle at the car doorway.
"Good night, my friend." Vladimir called, offering polite wave to Johnson who nodded with weak smile, heading off.
"Nothing too bad." Lloyd shrugged. "Of course, that one was better than most. I may as well tell you I know what you are and that I come from your friend, that Nast fellow."
"I see. But not entirely by your desire…" Vladimir nodded, with smile.
"No, but he asked, before I left him and…His friend…" slight grimace. "I owed him one and I figured he was the type to collect with interest if you let him down."
"That would be wise…" Vladimir agreed. "And he gave you a message for us?"
"Yeah…If I made it. There was some question of that, owing to the way he and his friend and I met." Cochran noted. "But he thought it important enough to give to me, and so…"
"You're a man of honor, Mr. Cochran. And clearly a brave man, knowing what I am." Vladimir, questioning look.
"I came prepared, no offense." Cochran noted.
"So, I now sense…" nod, Vladimir noting the slight flash from the crucifix about Cochran's neck. "So, your message?"
"Nast wants you to know he's set up in Los Angeles as planned and waiting for the Slayer. He'll have everything ready when you arrive. An agent of his will contact you, probably human, he'll send you the details, but he'll be sure they know you. And, in case you and Olive…?" Cochran paused.
"Yes, Olive…" Vladimir agreed.
"Right, well, in case you and Olive need more funds, here's $500 in gold." Cochran offered a small but stuffed and heavy purse.
"Very generous…Though we've made out well on our trip, more funds can never hurt. Thank you, Mr. Cochran. Was that all?"
"He asked you send him word that I reached you and was all right." Cochran shrugged. "He took an interest in whether or not I made it this far."
"Well, I'll be happy to inform him you did." Vladimir nodded.
"And to tell you to tell Olive…He understands, and a new relationship is possible." Cochran eyed him. "I'm just quoting him. I don't know what he meant by that."
Given it comes to me, I know what it means…Yes…I know what you're up to with my minion, Dracula, and have you in my sights…Vladimir thought. Yet as I knew all along, I might consider a deal, if you deal with Olive for me when the time comes.
Ah, poor Olive…Still, he's probably offered her the same via codes in his telegrams. The only question is, do I inform her and let her tell me, or no, and decide what's to be done based on her response? Or keep mum and leave an opening to a deal with Nast?
One unlikely to be either very beneficial to me or kept…
Yet…
"Are you to take a response back?" he asked the waiting man.
"No, just continue on to my home…" Cochran eyed him.
"Of course…And with my blessing." Vladimir smiled. "And please, take a fair share of this gold, say 100 dollars? For your time and troubles on this journey?"
"No, Mr. Nast paid me quite well enough." Cochran shook head. "I just wanted to keep my word to him. That's done."
"I see. Well, at least take a small token of my esteem, as a gift?" Vladimir, earnest look. "It's rather a matter of honor to me, so I hope you'll accept."
"If you put it like that, sure. Thanks." Cochran agreed.
"And let me get you back to your car. No need for you to experience any inconvenience. How far with us are you traveling?"
"I'm off at the next station and heading east." Cochran noted.
"Well, then…Let us have a drink together in the lounge car and I'll walk back with you to yours." Vladimir rose.
"Anything wrong, my friend?" he eyed Cochran's look and faint smile.
"No. Just that it's odd I've never been treated so kindly by white folks as by you and Nast, and, you're, no offense…" Cochran paused.
"We prefer 'Undead' to vampires…Or, monsters." Vladimir noted, with smile.
…
"You were gone a while…?" Olive eyed the returned Vladimir as he set down hat and gloves on his writing table. "Did Heinrich have all that much to impart?"
"Not really, but I wished to know his messenger better…And see he got safely back to his section. Quite an impressive fellow, that young man."
"Tasty as well?" Olive eyed him… "I was sure he wasn't one of us, what with that conductor and all."
"Oh, I'd never insult Nast by eating his messenger without his invitation…" Vladimir putting up a hand.
"Very courteous…" she noted, wryly. "So?"
"So, the young man, a gallant black fellow who seems to have earned Nast's respect by trying to assist him with ruffians…"
"What?" Olive, staring. "Seriously?"
"He'd no idea Nast and Gregor were well able to handle themselves, apparently Nast appreciated the gesture and spared him…"
"Heinrich does have an appreciation for gallantry…" nod.
"Yes…As to the message…Not much as to operations, just that he's settled in that rather charmingly named, Los Angeles. But, as to the rest, to be perfectly candid, it seems Nast is aware you might be considering…Your own path. And noting he was aware of my own feelings along those lines, was willing to offer me a new arrangement…"
"I see. Kill me and he takes you back into the fold. Or at least offers you a share in the Hellmouth. Correct?" she eyed him.
"I believe he meant for me to delay any action for now…But that was the gist of his offer. Might I in turn, after my candor, ask if you'd had similar?"
"You ought to know my standing orders have always been to terminate you at the end of your usefulness or any clear sign of betrayal, Vladimir." She noted calmly.
"Just wondered if such had been updated…Thanks for your candor, Olive. May I ask if this influences your decision as to an alliance with me to any extent, either way?"
"It could." She shrugged. "I'm certainly moved to consider my options from my point of view…And my potential mate's."
Oh my…He stared. Already chained to Wainswright and not even mated formally.
"And you, Vladimir?" she eyed him.
"Killing you, apart from its sheer difficulty…" slight bow which she returned in nod… "…Is of little benefit to me and leaves me more exposed to Nast. I think I'm happy to remain in our current roles, with hopes of a deeper partnership later."
"Only if Oliver…" she began, a bit startled herself by her outburst.
"Naturally you'd want your mate's approval in this, once it's safe to discuss the matter with him." Vladimir nodded.
…