I am sooo sorry I haven't been updating. Sailor Zombies and Bloods Worth is harder to work on than I thought. New Age is finished on my computer, but I want to edit it. I might go over the earlier chapters as well, and fix them. Anyway, this chapter was originally going to be two chapters, but I figured they'd be better longer. There's a couple of special guests in here.
Also, I do not own Genevieve, Kate Reed, Penny Chruchward, or Charles Beauregard. They belong to Kim Newman and his excellent Anno Dracula series. I highly advise you check it out.
Chapter Three
Makoto looked at the list. Cake topped the list, odds were for decoration, and for the human's. The one thing that looked interesting was that the cake was to say, "Happy Birthday, Charles. We miss you." Was Charles someone that Gene had known as a vampire, possibly staked? Makoto shrugged, then looked at the money Gene had given her for the food. Since there was going to be three vampires and two humans, she was surprised to see that there was over two-hundred dollars for food.
Very interesting, Makoto thought. But, I won't need that much. Makoto checked the list again, and smiled. A lot of the food that was asked for seemed very familiar to her.
It's like I'm shopping for Usagi. Makoto shrugged, then set to work. Measuring ingredients, chopping vegetables, slicing meat, grating chocolate. Luckily, Makoto could make chocolate, strawberry, and key lime pie blood cream as well as vanilla. Her ultimate goal was pistachio, which was very tricky. Makoto made a mental note to try to fix steak edible for vampires. She heard a rumor that a certain vampire bloodline was able to eat very rare meat. Maybe Makoto could figure out something for other vamps as well. She could always hope. The Soldier of Lightning made sure to separate the ice cream according to blood type, and made some fit for human consumption as well.
Two days later, Makoto was grateful for the two-hundred dollars. Gene must have sensed how expensive making blood cream was, not to mention the cost of renting out a large freezer. She was almost done making the food, just had to fix the cake, and she figured that could wait until a few hours before the party. And, although Gene had only said five would attend, Makoto made sure to make some extra, just in case. Hey, there was two-hundred dollars to spend. Might as well put it to good use.
It was when Makoto got home that she sensed someone following her. Makoto slowed, and pretended to study a tree, as if fascinated by the pine fir, like they never had those in Japan. She then pulled out a cell phone, pretended to punch in a number, and began speaking in Japanese, simultaneously pulling out a hand mirror and pretending to check her nonexistent makeup.
Sturdy, she thought. Looks like he'll be hard to take on in hand-to-hand combat. I'd better get some cover and transform. Pretending to smile at the person she was apparently talking to, she flipped off the phone, and walked into her apartment building, before ducking into a janitorial closet. Resisting the urge to twirl like Wonder Woman, Makoto whispered her transformation phrase.
The thug had reached the chick's apartment, glad for this easy assignment, compared to the shitty ones he had been having, threatening certain politicians to try and get vampire hunting legal. Scaring this bitch should be easy. The thug figured that she had gotten into her apartment to cook for that vampire broad and her friends. The thug jimmied the lock, and walked in, noting that his target was apparently snoozing in her chair. He would hold a knife to her throat, and say that he would kill her if she made so much as a single cupcake for vamps. The knife slid from his belt, and he moved towards the back of the girls chair.
"I'm not Makoto Kino," the girl said. "So you might want to put away that knife." The thug froze, and the chair turned around, like a Bond villain, revealing a girl in a green school girl uniform, her eyes sparkling with righteous vengeance.
"Who are you?" the thug demanded, inwardly laughing at himself. To think that he was scared of a girl in a miniskirt. He moved closer, twirling his knife. He dropped it in shock. Literally. A bolt of electricity had shot from a rod that was on the girls tiara, connected with the metal of the knife, and rode up the thugs arm.
"What the fuck?" he shouted. The girl stood up.
"Agent of Love and Justice! Pretty Sailor Soldier; Sailor Jupiter!" her lines came, familiar, and she was glad the thug didn't have a gun. "Now, what are you doing in this girls apartment?" The thug merely smirked, eyeing the girl. That electricity was just a fluke, must have been. Perhaps this girl was waiting for his target, and the two were to have some fun. Well, he would make sure that he would have some fun as well.
"Tell you what," the thug said, grinning. "Give me some fun, and I won't harm your girlfriend." Jupiter answered his threat with a punch to his face, followed by her bringing her knee to his groin. The Sailor Soldier then tossed him onto the ground, and untied her back ribbon. She then fastened it to his hands, and tied said hands onto one of her couch legs, before calling the police.
"I'm almost done with this stuff, Sook," Makoto said into the phone, juggling three eggs, a block of cheese, and a spatula in one hand. "I'll be fine."
"Do you know who was trying to threaten you?" Sookie asked over the line. She sounded worried.
"No," Makoto said, tossing salad. "I have theories, but I doubt they will hold weight. What was that one organization threatening Merlotte's? The Fellowship of something-something?"
"The Fellowship Of The Sun?" Sookie offered.
"That's the one." Makoto switched from the salad to the condiments. "They feel threatened by anything vampiric or other supernatural phenomena. They have a number I can call them? Or a street address?"
"I wouldn't try it," Sookie said. "Why would they attack you, anyway?"
"Think about it," Mako said, cracking eggs. "If I found a way for vampires to eat regularly, then they can't claim the vampires are all that evil, eating would humanize them."
"Any idea who beat up the thug?" Sookie asked.
"According to police," Makoto said. "It was the Japanese hero Sailor Jupiter. Why she isn't with the rest of the Senshi is a mystery to me." She checked the measurements of her dry ingredients, and put some flour in some batter. Then, she cut open some jalapeno peppers, took the seeds, and put them in a cheese mixture. "Hey, are you doing something this weekend? I've got enough food for a small army, and I think Gene will need help with it."
"Inviting me to the party?" Sookie said, full of humor. "Can you do that?"
"Gene called me earlier," Makoto said. "She said I could bring a friend, just to make sure that they're was enough food. I told her to invite thirty more people, there's more than enough food for it."
"What are you going to do with the excess food?" Sookie asked.
"Keep some of it," Makoto said. "Donate some to charity, something like that. Feed a starving orphan in Africa for twenty years. So, what do you say?"
"I'll come," Sookie said. "I don't have anything to do that weekend anyway. Well, except for Fangtasia, but that's Saturday."
"What's the place like?" Makoto asked, pulling her jalapeno poppers out of the oven. She set the hot pan on a safe area for it to cool. "I've seen some ads."
"Depends on your point of view," Sookie said. "It's exciting, but also very dangerous."
"I've gotta check it out sometime," Makoto said. "May I join you this Saturday, provided nothing happens on Friday?"
"Sure," Sookie said. "Just, don't where your crucifix."
"I'm not a Christian," Makoto laughed. "Less than one percent of Japan is. Mostly, the main religion is Shinto. I'll see you Friday."
"Ooof!"
Sookie lifted two food trays, the weight of a small car hitting her arms. She maintained her balance, and walked up to Miss Dieudonne's house, passed a Ford truck that had Happy Bunny painted on the side, and gently tapped the door with her foot. A vampire woman with red hair and thick glasses opened the door.
"Hey," Sookie said. "I'm Sookie Stackhouse, I'm helping Makoto Kino with the food. May I come in?"
"Oh, sure," the vampire said, taking a tray. "Let me help you with that. I'm Kate Reed, one of the reporters for the Night Bite and one of Gene's friends." The two walked through the house, and Sookie couldn't help but smile. It was cute, not like Bill's. A bowl of dried rose petals gave off a nice scent, and Sookie couldn't help but admire the extensive amount of books in the room, sorted by subject.
"Mako's outside," Sookie said. "Getting some more food."
"Great," Genevieve said, pulling out some champagne. "I hope Mako doesn't mind, but there is one more person than originally anticipated."
"She made more than enough food," Sookie said.
"She always does," a voice said, walking up. She was a dark Asian beauty with red eyes and dark green hair.
"Setsuna Meioh," she said. "I work for the Night Bite."
"Work for," another vampire snorted, one with dark hair, and a high necked blouse. "Runs it, more like."
"I run it," Kate said. "Penny, could you put the ice cream in the freezer? I don't want it to melt." The dark haired vampire nodded, and Setsuna offered to take the smaller snacks into the living room. Sookie was sorting out the chicken Makoto had prepared, when she heard someone squeal, and an "oomph!"
"Mako-Chan!" a cutesy voice called. Sookie's curiosity got the better of her, and she walked into the living room. Attached to Mako's waist was a young woman with her hair in buns and braids, blue eyes, and the face of an angel.
"Usagi-Chan!" Mako breathed. "I didn't know you were here."
"She helped me out during the vampire riot in DC a month ago," Gene said, as way of explanation. "I was covering it." Usagi let go of Makoto, and took a tray of food, smiling the whole time.
"And where there is Usagi," Makoto said. "There is usually…"
"Yo! Mako-Chan!"
A dark haired young man walked up, and liberated Mako from the weight of food.
"Mamoru-San," Mako said, nodding, before turning her attention to Sookie. "Sorry Sook. I noticed you, but couldn't say anything…"
"With your friend bouncing like a rabbit," Sookie grinned. "I couldn't blame you. The blond was Usagi, and that's Mamoru."
"Heck of an introduction," Kate grinned, pulling out True Blood. "That reminds me, I need to thank Usagi for writing that opinion piece in our newspaper."
"What opinion piece?" Makoto asked. "I don't get The Night Bite."
"I've got it around here somewhere," Gene said, perusing through a file. "Here." She handed it to Makoto, and she and Sookie read:
Vampires, weres, and everything else
By Usagi "Serena" Tsukino
When it comes time for all man to get together during a time of tragedy, as in the devastating effects of 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina, we rush to each other's side. But, when it comes time for us to stand together in the face of inequality or civil movement, we shout at each other, and spit in each other's faces. Is this the way we, as civilized human beings, are supposed to act? What supposedly divides us from the beasts is the ability of empathy for all living creatures, including vampires, mutants, and shifters. Those who argue that vampires are dead do not see the emotion that lies beneath the vampires outer appearance. There are several vampires who have had loved ones, and lost them to time, mourning them for a period of weeks, months, even years, as the vampire's lifetime expands beyond those of humans.
For example, reporter Genevieve Dieudonne (who has given permission to be in this article) of The Night Bite has seen her lover, Charles Beauregard die of old age in 1965. It was a genuine love story, only for it to end in tragedy, as Beauregard refused to be turned, as he decided he had lived a full life, and to see his late wife Pamela (Mrs. Beauregard died in 1885, three years before he met Miss Dieudonne, due to complications in childbirth) in the afterlife.
Weres, too, are targeted, due to their supposedly "unhuman," nature. Despite showing proof that shifters are in pretty good control of their other selves (unless bitten), they are still being hurt by organizations, such as the so-called "Fellowship Of The Sun." Shifters are part of the thriving community, and deserve respect as such.
While not as targeted today, there are still reports of anti-mutant activity. Those who target mutants do so out of either ignorance, or due to religious purposes.
Which poses the question, does God, or whoever is up there, really want us to persecute our fellow beings? Do we need to violate the respect that everyone deserves, and destroy those who wish to merely live in peace, side-by-side with humans? Perhaps humanity should take a long look in the mirror, and ask ourselves, "Who is the monster here?"
To quote a very famous man, "I have a dream…"
Makoto and Sookie took their eyes off the article to look at the blond.
"Can we nominate you for president?" Sookie asked. "Seriously, would you run?" Usagi laughed, and shook her head.
"I'm an immigrant," Usagi smiled. "I wasn't born in this country, so I can't. Thanks for the offer."
"I thought it was a great article," Mamoru said.
"Great?" Makoto blinked. "Fucking brilliant, is what it was! Pardon my French. I mean-" Gene just laughed.
"Don't worry about it," Gene said. "France is not what it used to be."
"You should have seen the aftermath," Penny said, sipping some True Blood. "Usagi was placed on the Neo-Nazi hit list, not to mention several other sites. The Catholic Church was split between those who wanted to give her an award, and those who wanted to put her through the Spanish Inquisition."
"Heck," Kate said. "Several churches didn't like her. The Klu Klux Klan burned a cross outside her house. And then that religious nut attacked her on her way to school."
"I remember that!" Sookie said. "It was on the news, but they didn't give out the name of the person attacked."
"And, boy, were Haruka and Michiru maaaaad," Usagi said. "I'm glad Seiya wasn't around." Makoto gave a brief explanation for Sookie on who Usagi was talking about.
"Tell them the story about what happened at the college," Mamoru said. Usagi nodded, taking a swig of Coca-Cola.
"I was going to my first lecture," Usagi began. "When this college kid just out of nowhere shoved a cross in my face, and told me to go back to hell where I belonged. Started quoting some stuff out of the Bible, tried to give me an exorcism or something."
"Wow," Sookie said. "I'll bet that was scary."
"And then," Usagi rolled her eyes. "Some idiot went out to my truck, and spray painted several obscenities and sexual crap over the bunny. God, that was a nightmare to get fixed."
"That's your truck out there?" Sookie asked, pointing towards the general direction of the Ford truck.
"Oh, God," Usagi moaned. "Don't tell me something is wrong with it!"
"No," Sookie said. "I just didn't expect you to drive something like that. A small, cute car, maybe." The room gave a small laugh, before continuing the topic.
"Didn't you go to the police?" Makoto asked.
"I went to NCIS," Usagi shrugged. "But, that's a different story. Oh, yeah, Gwen says hi." Makoto nodded, but a worried look was on her face.
"Why didn't you call any of us?" she asked. Usagi held up a hand.
"Ami is busy in her studies, Haruka is racing, Michiru is attending some music thing, Hotaru has school, Rei is across the country, Minako is modeling, and you," Usagi paused, ticking off her friends on her fingers, and looked at Makoto. "What are you doing?"
"I'm working at Merlotte's," Makoto said. "A classy bar. Sookie is a waitress there."
"It's a nice place," Sookie said. "You should come over Sunday. Mako and I have plans Saturday, but we're working the day after." Usagi nodded.
"Well," Genevieve said. "Shouldn't we get started with the celebrations?"
Makoto eased into her chair, plate piled up with the food she made, one hand holding a bottle of beer. She chewed on one of her jalapeño poppers, and smiled as the humans enjoyed their food. It was a shame that the vampires couldn't eat, and Makoto was beginning to feel guilty over the fact.
"We're fine," Gene smiled, looking over her glass of True Blood. "We don't need to eat, enjoy yourself."
"It's just weird," Makoto said, sipping her beer. "I feel rude for you not eating anything." Usagi nodded.
"It is weird, at first," Sookie said. "When I first served Bill in Merlotte's, I felt very uncomfortable. All he ordered was True Blood, and couldn't eat anything else."
"You should see them in the hospital," Mamoru said. "It drives them nuts, having blood everywhere. It pretty much shocks them out of their senses."
"I worked as a doctor," Genevieve said. "I had to fight my instincts every day. It got easier as time passed, and I could probably work in a hospital now."
"You should have seen some of the vampires during World War I and World War II," Kate nodded. "They went crazy on the battlefield. And don't get me started on Dracula's gang of vampires."
"What were they?" Usagi asked. Kate shivered.
"Dracula had teamed up with Germany during World War I," the red-haired vampire said. "They created the ultimate flying vampire. Have you ever heard of the Red Baron?"
"Doesn't Snoopy fight that one?" Usagi grinned. Kate chortled on some True Blood.
"Yes, Charles Schultz did have the Red Baron in his strips," Setsuna smiled.
"So," Sookie said. "The Red Baron was a vampire?"
"Yup," Kate said. "Damn bad one, too. He was one of Dracula's experiments, the most successful one. If it weren't for Edwin Winthrop…" Sookie held up a hand.
"Waaaaaiiiiiittttt a second," she said. "Vampires made themselves to the public relatively recently. You guys are discussing vampires as if they were in the public eye for longer." Gene laughed.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I forgot. Vampires routinely involved themselves in various affairs, usually to protect themselves. Some of the populace even knew about the vampires, and helped them. Like Charles. Dracula himself appeared through the centuries under various disguises. Until the Mother of Tears killed him."
"Okay, next question," Sookie said. "Eric told me that you have been offered the position of Vampire Queen several times over. Is this true?" Gene rolled her eyes.
"Don't get me started," the vampire elder said. "Usagi, don't drink so much. You have low tolerance." Usagi realized that she was halfway through a beer bottle, and quickly put it down. She was already starting to get dizzy. Makoto grabbed a can of Sprite, and mixed it with some herbs she kept in a bag.
"Alcohol counter," she explained, handing a glass to Usagi. "Any soda works, actually. I just use whatever's available." Usagi gulped it down, and felt the tonic rapidly spread. She settled against Mamoru with a contented sigh.
"How did you and Charles meet?" Makoto asked, looking at Genevieve. Gene smiled.
"It was 1888," Gene began. "I was working in a hospital with Jack Seward…"
"The Jack Seward?" Makoto couldn't stop herself. Gene nodded.
"Yes, the Jack Seward," Gene said. "From Dracula. Vlad, of course, was trying to take control over Britain, and locked up anyone who opposed him, like the Consulting Detective (Usagi choked on her soda, and Makoto whacked her on the back), over in a concentration camp. Then, Jack the Ripper attacked vampire prostitutes. Turns out, Seward was the Ripper, and Charles and I managed to chase out Dracula."
"After I became a vampire," Penelope said. "I was Charles fiancé, and the only reason he agreed to it was because I resembled his first wife, my sister. She died in childbirth. They're son didn't make it either."
"Oh, dear," Sookie said. "And he was working soon after?"
"About a year after, I think," Gene said, pulling up some pistachio blood cream. "It was sad. I would learn more about it through drinking his blood." They sat in silence for a little bit, thinking.
"Well," Gene said, breaking the silence. "Even if he's dead, Charles would have wanted us to celebrate his birthday with vigor. Tell me, how do the vampire fair in Louisiana? I don't know much."
"About as well as any other place," Sookie said. "It's slightly better in some places than others… but…"
"Still intolerance," Makoto said. "My first night here, I got into a fight with a hillbilly trucker over a patron. Bill, if I recall correctly."
"Oh, speaking of Bill," Sookie said. "He was later attacked by a witch with a demon under her thrall. The media just reported an attack by some intolerant people, but, what they didn't tell was that this girl, Sailor Jupiter, was the one to rescue him. I was there as a witness." Usagi and Makoto avoided eye contact. Meanwhile, Setsuna hid a small smile.
"What would Sailor Jupiter be doing here?" the Soldier of Time asked, an amused glint in her eyes.
"And where are the rest of the Sailor Soldiers?" Mamoru asked, successfully hiding a snicker.
"Maybe they got tired of the blond bimbo," Makoto stated, seizing the opportunity to pick on Usagi. Usagi tried in vain to think up a comeback, but words failed her. You just couldn't pick on Makoto. Or Ami, Hotaru, Haruka, and Michiru. However…
"Of course," Usagi said. "It could have been all of Sailor Plutoid's fault." Setsuna choked on her wine.
"Pardon me?" Setsuna gasped.
"You know," Usagi stated. "Pluto's a planetoid now. She'd be called Sailor Plutoid."
Someday, somewhere, Setsuna thought. I will get you back for that, Princess Serenity or not.