Kyrie sat alone in the bathroom watching the steam rise from the bath. The water warmed her cold flesh soothing her thoroughly to the bone. She closed her eyes running the wet cloth across the back of her neck. She still felt the anxiety over finding the letter from Godric but the water along with the scented oil Eric had poured into the water helped relax her.
She had immediately extinguished the idea that perhaps Godric was still in the city. That would only cause her more agitation and relented that in the end it didn't matter. Even though years had passed his command was still in place, she would remain out of his sight. She wasn't certain if that would prevent her from being able to at least see him or if she wouldn't even be able to enter an area he was in. She opened her eyes as there was a knock on the door.
"Kyrie, the authority is here. I have left some clothes on the bed for you to change into." Eric said from the other side.
"Yes, I will be out shortly. Thank you a vic." She replied.
"I have not told them that you are my maker. For our own safety it would be wise to keep that information to ourselves." He said. Kyrie felt her stomach sink slightly as she leaned forward to grab at the stopper in the drain. She watched the water swirl and gurgle as it disappeared.
"Alright Eric." She said quietly receiving no answer knowing he had already left the other room. She stepped out wrapping the drying cloth around her. It was soft and warm. She stared at the decorations on the walls realizing that this was what this new world was all about, being comfortable.
She had never felt more discomfort in all of her years as she did then. She couldn't help but feel as if she didn't belong in the world she had been brought into. Kyrie walked into the bedroom staring at the heavy dress that lay on the bed. She closed her eyes and sighed walking over to the mirror.
A brush laid on top of the dresser with some decorative pins. She sat on the cushioned vanity chair and began brushing down her hair. It was clean and beginning to dry. It was much longer then it had been before she went into ground. She sniffed at her hair taking in the light perfume it now held from her bath with the soaps and oil. It wasn't a bad scent she simply wasn't used to it.
"I don't belong here, not with Eric and certainly never again with Godric." She whispered at her reflection. She saw her lips move as she spoke and couldn't retain the sigh that escaped once again. She braided her hair quickly and wound it around her head pinning it down stabbing herself in the head more than once.
She dropped the towel to the floor as she walked over to the bed with the dress. Eric had instructed her before they boarded the ship the many layers she would have to wear under her initial dress. She pulled on the lacy bloomers and got into the petticoat that she had to tie down her front. She was used to that as she had worn many dresses over the years that had to be tied tightly however placing another article of clothing over it seemed excessive to her.
She buttoned up the dress and folded the fabric over to hide the buttons. The skirt was long and swept the floor while the sleeves opened up and flowed down her arms. She relented that the dress wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Kyrie walked over to the door that would lead out to the main room and closed her eyes tightly.
She steeled herself to whatever she may encounter with these new vampires and opened the door. Two females and a male sat companionably on one of the sofas while Eric sat across from them on the other.
"Ah, here she is. The lady of the hour." He said standing as did the other male. Kyrie nodded once in acknowledgment walking over to him.
"How do you do?" The male asked taking her hand. He placed it to his lips lightly before releasing. Kyrie gave another nod to him as the other women held out their hands delicately. Kyrie copied their gesture grasping lightly before sitting down next to Eric.
"Well, you certainly are enjoying the comforts the suite has to offer." The woman sitting in the middle of the sofa said. She was of middle age when she was turned with her hair pinned tightly to her head in a round bun. Her collar was stiff as were her sleeves. She sat upright while the woman next to her seemed to lounge somewhat.
She was younger with her hair pinned to her head in messy tangles that still seemed elegant. Her dress was off the shoulder and laced in the back. She wore a black and gold choker around her neck. She wound a piece of her hair around her head.
"I am Leah. These are my progeny's, Eloise and Maurice." The younger looking female said.
"I am Kyrie. I am, Erics traveling companion." She stated fumbling slightly in her words. There had to be good reason as to why Eric didn't want them to know who she was, maybe it would be to confusing to explain that he had two makers or perhaps it was some sort of strange taboo that she and Godric had broken that she was unaware of.
"Now as I was saying Leah;" Eric stated apparently carrying on an earlier conversation. "I understand completely why it is I am to forge out west like a damn cowboy however I see no real need. That area has been under Ernesto's supervision for quite some time and he has done quite well from what I can gather."
"Ernesto has met the true death Eric. This must not leave this room, it is still under investigation from the Canadian league." Leah said.
"The Canadian league? What possible jurisdiction do they have in this country at all, let alone a city such as San Francisco?" Eric asked intrigued.
"There have been reports of many vampires meeting the true death in the great northern yonder. A few have met the sun after being tied to trees or posts with iron bonds while others have apparently been staked." She replied.
"Hunters?" Eric wondered.
"That is why they are helping the American league. If there are hunters they will be found. In the mean time we need an older, powerful vampire to keep an eye out there." Leah stated.
Kyrie sat with her hands in her lap staring somewhat at the ground. She listened intently to the conversation but stayed silent. She knew very little about how the authority was run and even less about territories or areas they were mentioning.
"Now how is it Kyrie that you came to know Eric?" Maurice asked suddenly. She jerked her eyes towards him finding her tongue lost in her mouth.
"Wandering around, we met. In the old world." She said quickly her voice coming out hoarse.
"You are certainly an antiquity my dear. Everything about you just screams early century A.D." Leah stated sitting up straighter.
"Have you been around other vampires at all? Or people in general for that matter?" Eloise asked suddenly.
"Why do you ask?" Kyrie questioned feeling uneasy under their scrutiny. She wanted to turn her eyes to Eric but decided against it. She wasn't sure what the three were getting to but knew she wouldn't like it very much in the end.
"You seem out of place and stiff as if you aren't accustomed to being indoors." Eloise said. Leah suddenly jumped up from her seat with a smile plastered to her face.
"Oh, are you one of those feral vamps I have heard about?" She questioned clearly intrigued.
"Enough." Eric commanded causing Leah to sit down just as quickly as she had stood.
"I didn't mean any harm in it Eric. I was simply curious." Leah replied returning to twisting her hair.
"We are through here. I will dispatch a letter to Roman informing him that I have arrived and will be traveling by train in California with in the next week." Eric said. He opened the door as the women walked out and Maurice tipped his hat. Eric closed the door behind them locking it.
"They were not wrong a vic, I am not used to being indoors let alone with others." Kyrie said as Eric sat next to her.
"I know mama." He replied softly. "You will get used to it. Where we are headed we will be thrust into the spotlight, so to speak. With the information that Leah has presented me I have no doubts we will have visitors frequently and often."
"Well then, I suppose I will become used to it. Whether I like it or not." She said. Eric wrapped an arm around her shoulders gathering her to him. She felt small and weak compared to him. Kyrie could remember a time when Eric was young and he would look up to her for guidance with questioning eyes.
Things were backwards now. He knew more about the world then she did and while he was more than willing to help her through it she couldn't help but feel as if she were giving him to much control. She wanted to assert herself as the elder, more dominant vampire however couldn't seem to muster the will power to do so. Instead she relented to allowing her progeny lead her through this world by the hand.
The depot where they boarded the train was busy and not even in the commonwealth of Massachusetts where they had initially arrived. Once Eric had his affairs settled with Leah and the authority of Boston they traveled to New York city by carriage.
The inside of the carriage had no windows or light save for a kerosene lamp that swung from a hook on the top of the carriage. Kyrie had been more than a little leery feeling herself in constant danger even though the one door was latched shut on their side. She wasn't sure how many days they had traveled for but surmised it had at least been two by her natural sleeping and waking patterns.
Boston had been a large city but New York was even grander. There were many different people from many different places she could barely even wrap her head around it all. Kyrie followed closely behind Eric as they made their way down streets. Regardless of the late hour they traveled at there were still humans walking the streets as if it were broad day light. The street lamps lit the areas they traveled through brightly as if it were day.
Kyrie could barely keep her head straight ahead as she was constantly looking in another direction at a building or a person. Eric held a map in front of his face studying it carefully. He had explained earlier that they had a stop to make to meet with another authority member but had stayed silent about it otherwise.
An odd beeping sound came from down the road. Kyrie glanced down the cobbled street to see a horseless carriage making its way down the street by itself. It seemed to sputter as if it were in extreme agony as it passed them. The driver had on a pair of goggles and a long white scarf. Kyrie took a step back wide eyed as Eric continued on.
He glanced back while he was halfway across the street to see Kyrie standing on the curb. She stared at him cautiously.
"What's wrong with you Kyrie? We still have blocks to cross before we get to out destination." Eric said as if he were talking to his own child.
"Did you see that? That, cart?" She asked walking over to him quickly.
"Cart?" Eric questioned.
"Yes it was pulling itself with out an horse or man power." She said gravely.
"Oh, yes...they're called automobiles and they are becoming quite popular. There will be more around in a few years I'm sure." He said talking her by the hand continuing to walk. Kyrie only shook her head becoming more uncertain of the world by the moment.
They walked in relative silence. Eric had folded his map placing it back in his satchel glancing up at the street signs every so often to make sure they were heading the right way.
"Here it is; fourth street. The building is down this way." He said.
"Who is it we are meeting with Eric?" Kyrie asked knowing well she didn't want to have to deal with another meeting like her first dealing with Leah and her progeny.
"I am not certain. Generally I am not privy to such information until after the fact or I arrive at a place." Eric stated.
"And you just go along with what they say? You don't get worried for your personal safety?" Kyrie questioned concern evident in her voice.
"Mama, I rarely worry for my safety. I worry more for those who would go against me. I am, next to Godric, the eldest vampire that they have dispatched to this country. None of those in charge of the authority have ventured over here as of yet." He stated squeezing her hand a bit tighter.
He led her up a set of steps leading into an apartment building. They walked through the lobby to a room where a young human male stood in a red jacket and a small round hat strapped under his chin. He closed a gate in front of them.
"What floor sir?" He asked. Kyrie glanced up at Eric holding onto him more tightly. Eric offered his arm to her and she could hear him whisper to her to brace herself, she wasn't going to like this.
"Sixth please." Eric stated. The man pulled a lever and the floor began to rise where they were standing, the room was moving upwards. Kyrie grasped onto Eric more tightly feeling her knees begin to buckle. The human said nothing only smiled at her gently.
"First time in an elevator miss?" He asked.
"Y-yes." She stammered out.
"Oh, an Irish girl? My parents came from Dublin. I'm a first born generation here. What part do you hail from?" He wondered.
"The northern part." She said. He gave her an odd look. "My, village it was small but it's gone now."
"Well that's a shame. Sorry to hear. Famine will do that I suppose." He replied. The elevator dinged and stopped. He opened the gate. Kyrie hopped off as quickly as she could while Eric tipped the young male. "Good night to you both."
Kyrie watched as he closed the gate and brought the elevator down. She tugged on Erics coattail to get his attention as he walked down the hall.
"You could have warned me about that." She stated. Eric only smirked down at her.
"What would be the fun in that? Besides, you wouldn't have walked in to the lift if I had told you about it." He replied.
"Well of course I wouldn't have." She mumbled to herself. Eric stopped at the door as they neared the end of the hall. He knocked a couple of times.
"Who is it?" A female voice said from the other side of the door.
"Eric Northman." He replied. Kyrie glanced up at him curiously. "I had to take on a last name. It is easier to conduct business that way."
The door opened. The female vampire was middle aged with her blonde hair tied back in a severe bun. It seemed to tug on her face making her features appear sharper. Her clothes were stiff as was her demeanor. She stared at Kyrie for a while before stepping aside to allow them entry.
"I am Nan Flanagan, Eric Northman. I was not informed you would have a companion with you." She stated in a 'no nonsense' tone.
"It was a last minute arrangement." He replied. Nan led them to the sitting area.
"That I'm am certain Roman is aware of." She stated in a knowing way.
"But of course." Eric quipped back somewhat sarcastically.
"So, do you have a name?" Nan asked turning her sharp eyes to Kyrie.
"Kyrie, I am Kyrie." She said.
"I can tell that you are an old vampire. Now I know that it is hard for those of you to adjust to this country when you first arrive, let alone what is happening in other parts of the world but you really need to take on a last name." Nan said as if she were conducting business.
"A last name?" Kyrie asked.
"Yes, or a surname...a family name? Where ever it is you were from. What name did your family go by?" Nan questioned clearly becoming frustrated by the second.
"My clan was from Ulster, MacShire was what we were called as a whole unit." She stated.
"Then MacShire it is, Kyrie Macshire." Nan said. "Don't forget it."
Kyrie brought her attention to Eric as she stared at him in shock. She could sense that this woman was only a couple of centuries old and yet there she was making demands of her. Eric felt her eyes on his and grasped at one of her hands to hold.
"With that settled I am not quite sure what business we have to attend to here." Eric said. "I was already briefed by Leah in Boston as to what is going on out west."
"Yes, I know. Despite the fact that you were meant to know little to nothing." Nan replied irritated. "I have been instructed to accompany you to San Francisco. I have matters to attend to out there with the sudden emergence of these deaths that are occurring."
"I understand." Eric replied as he bore a hole through her.
"Now that that's settled, shall we grab something to eat." Nan stated more than asked. "China town has the most exquisite cuisine."
Kyrie watched as Nan pulled on a pair of black lacy gloves a pinned a small hat sideways to her head. She placed her cloak over her shoulders and tied it in place. Eric stood with a nod acknowledging her invitation. As soon as Nan was down the hall towards the elevator Kyrie grasped Eric by the cuff of his jacket.
"What is it Kyrie?" Eric asked.
"Why are we allowing her to tell us what to do? Why won't you say anything to put that child in her place?" Kyrie questioned back her voice low.
"Kyrie, in this world there are positions of authority. Nan is in a higher position than I am therefore what she says goes. Age doesn't matter when it comes to conducting business with in the authority." He replied. Kyrie only shook her head disapprovingly.
"I am beginning to see why Godric had no intentions of ever wanting to meet with them, though I doubt it was for any of these reasons." She stated. "This is against our nature."
"Maybe against yours Kyrie, though no one can hardly fault you for it." Eric said.
"What does that mean?" She asked confused.
"Lets face it, you were right in the fact that you are ill equipped to handle being around people and even staying indoors. However it is not your fault. I blame Godric." Eric said.
"Are we leaving tonight or tomorrow night? Come along now you two or do I have to separate you?" Nan asked as the elevator came back up.
"I really don't like her." She stated.
"Only a couple of weeks and we will be rid of her." Eric stated leading Kyrie down the hall.
"Not soon enough."