Godric was all evil or that was what they were told. When the vampires came out of hiding they were willing to coexist, that is, they propagandized they were. But, eventually when the dust settled from shock and wives tales no longer prevailed and the truth about vampires came to light people were still scared. How could they suddenly relieve themselves of fear for monsters television, books, folklore insisted they feel. Tara wondered that in dark in the dungeon where she heard vampires whispering to her to free them. The dungeons were cement cells that held their prisoners with silver chains. It was one of the loneliest jobs in the compound, but she didn't mind. No one wanted her job. They were afraid the whispers were spells and the others feared enchantments. For six months she'd been in the shadows on vampire duty armed with a shot gun and a pistol in her holster. As a former soldier Bud recruited Tara specifically for her military background. And the dark skinned woman didn't mind. She was taken care of and didn't require much, but unlike most of the other people that came to the compound she couldn't say that she was a zealot for their cause. If she were honest, which she was in her own confidence, she was there because she had no other place to be.

"Tara," Godric called her. She didn't talk to the vampires, but through a series of events and realizing she didn't mind his conversation they began a rapport. No one else knew since it would have been frowned upon and punishable by banishment or the more violent inhabitants preferred more traditional reprimands, like stoning.

"Yea," she called from the other side of the door with her back to the wall.

"Did you send my request?"

"Bud should have gotten it by now, he's probably just taking his time," she lowered her head shifting dirt with her foot.

"The hatred he carries for us, it too much hatred for one man to have with one lifetime to live."

"Some people are born to hate—it's all they know—they're not going to let it go when one reasonable vampire shows up at his doorstep waving the white flag."

"You think I am naïve."

"I think you've lived a long time and you're tired. Maybe too tired to see that Bud's a lost cause and he ain't ever going to change just cause this what he's built his life around. How can he justify all these people here if you're not locked up here?"

"I can only hope our talks help."

Tara considered his hope and shrugged it away kicking a rock because she knew that their talks weren't as poignant for Bud as Godric would have them be. The young looking vampire talked slowly and clearly, not to patronize, but to make sure his point was understood. Bud on the other hand slowed his words and sometimes it was lost in the drawl of his accent and he didn't worry about cleaning it up because whomever didn't hear it the first time were the idiots in his opinion. Tara knew men like Bud, she served with them, and unfortunately she was serving under another one.

The last time they had a talk was earlier in the month which was two weeks ago. In the beginning they talked often. Now, their fearless leader had had enough of what Godric's speeches of peace and he wanted action conducted under the unyielding banner of uncompromised principles.

"He's going to show up in his own good time because you asked him too," Tara pointed out, "does that sound like a man that can be reasoned with? For hope to be a human trait you're looking like it's poster boy in a cell hoping for what?"

"Change, and if not that then I can accept death."

Tara turned her head to the door with her back to it still, "I never heard of a vampire committing suicide before, doesn't seem like something you'd want to do since you can live forever."

"I'm repeating the day over and over," he shared with her in a tone of frustration in contrast to his usual level tone. "The same idiocy, the same indulgences, the same anger and prejudice and rage—from both sides," he sighed. "When I didn't know better, I acted like it, you wouldn't have recognized me, because you would have been dead on sight. If I were that same vampire uninterested then I would be no better than mindless beasts and unfortunately a large majority of my species. How can anyone learn if they aren't given an example first?"

"Too much credit," Tara chuckled to herself, "you've forgotten what it's like to be human. A lot of us aren't worried about evolving we just want to do what needs to be done and find a distraction or two, then we die."

From beyond the door Godric stared at the stone letting the words marinate.

"I'm not here for nothing," he reasoned.

"Of course you aren't," Tara shook her head smiling, "you're going to tell the monkey he can read and write when all the monkey wants is a banana."

It was understood Bud was the monkey and the destruction of all supernatural beings especially vampires was the banana. And after a pause, "what do you want out of life Tara?"

"Peace," she answered simply.

"I suppose that's why we get along," Godric replied from the other side.

"What'sthat?"

"We're both delusional on some level delusional. What are we doing here?" he mused aloud not expecting an answer and Tara entertained the question briefly then went to her post by the opening of a hallway that led to the rest of the cells. Someone was coming.

She rose from her seat standing at attention. Old habits died hard as she resisted the reflex to salute.

"Tara," Bud hit her on the shoulder, "how goes my favorite hermit?" he joked as the only one who genuinely enjoyed his own humor.

The dark skinned woman relayed the day's activities, while Bud looked over the basement fashioned into a jail thanks to an old friend who dealt with these sort of things. Much like everything that went on in the compound there were volunteers for every job. And while there were those who didn't live among them, they were just as adamant about the lifestyle as the most devote inhabitant showing Bud through favors and gifts that often coincided with their professions.

He was lucky to recognize Tara at a diner opting to pay her meal as a thanks to her service. Then they got into the discussion of where she was headed next in her life. He decided to take advantage of her indecision and show his world to her. He couldn't think of a specific moment that he saw her sympathize with the supernatural species. With her background her and aloofness she was a perfect addition to the lonely job looking after their 'trophies'. He expected no less than a good report from her and when she was finished he strode over to the door that held Godric.

"Vampire," he greeted when the door was opened.

He was the only vampire with no restraints and that was because he gave himself up willingly. He thought it was odd choice for the pale man to make, but he went along with it with precautions of his own just in case this was some trick.

"Bud," the pale vampire returned.

"You wanted to speak with me?" he angled his head impatiently.

"We haven't spoken for some time," he answered, "I was concerned about you're well being?"

Clicking his tongue he turned to his bodyguard, "you hear this he was worried about me," he turned back to Godric, "a human."

"We can both be beneficial to each other, but how will either of us ever know that potential if we don't communicate."

"Well I've got mouths to feed and a farm to run," he twirled his finger around to illustrate the vast responsibilities a man in his position has to deal with.

"I understand."

"I would love to talk more with you,' Bud rushed, "but I have things to do and if that's all?" his eyebrows hiked with one foot out the door he waited a split second then left as quickly as he had come.

Tara appeared in the opening of the cell door when Bud and his shadow left.

"Monkey and banana," shrugged.

Nodding his lowered head Godric placed his hands behind his back. There was nothing very interesting about the broken straw at his feet and still he stared at it as if it held the answers on how to reach this human's practical sense.