Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Beta: Pallas Athena
CHAPTER 2
Eric had been watching the brunette teenager as soon as he walked through the door. His lack of scent was intriguing while his body and appearance just added to his appeal. When that insolent vampire put his hands on what Eric was coming to consider as his he almost growled, and did growl when the vampire attempted a glamour. However, when his little Kitten flipped the vampire and broke his elbow, he gave a purr of satisfaction. When it looked like his Kitten had used a glamour, it just interested him more and he decided that he needed to meet him.
Eric continued to stare at the delicate teen until he felt the weight of the stare and turned to look at him. Eric was careful to keep his face and body from expressing anything while he casually crooked his fingers to summon him. The teen must have understood the silent message because he made his way towards the dais where Eric was sitting with an intrigued expression on his face.
"Join me." Eric commanded once the boy was standing in front of him.
Understanding that this man was someone of authority, Harry silently went to one of the chairs beside him and sat, positioning himself so that he was slightly facing the man.
"What did that vampire want with you?"
Expecting the questions about how he did what he did, Harry paused in surprise. "He wanted to dance with me, and then he tried to glamour me into leaving with him and inviting him into my home. I refused."
"So you did. Tell me, who and what are you."
"My name is Harrison Black, but everyone just calls me Harry." Then Harry's eyes lit up. He loved talking about what he did. "I'm an artist. Freelance."
Eric arched a brow. "Are you now? I would be interested in seeing some of your work."
"You could stop by my place after sundown to look at some of my originals, or, if you want, I can come by tomorrow night with my portfolio."
Surprised that this unusual mortal would invite an unknown vampire into his home, Eric carefully thought about which he would prefer. If he went to Kitten's home, he ran the risk of trying to seduce him and scaring him off, but if he came back to Fangtasia with the portfolio he could make some headway into creating an actual relationship with the beauty. The decision was made, even if it didn't provide immediate pleasure.
"Be in Fangtasia at 9pm. Tell Pam that you have a meeting with me. If I'm not sitting here, just take one of the seats on either side of my chair and wait for me." Letting Harry absorb that, Eric continued: "Tell me about some of your paintings."
"I paint what I see and what I feel. I have landscapes, portraits, and whatever else I feel. I won't tell you any more, you'll have to see them for yourself." Harry told Eric playfully. "I have to leave now, but I'll see you tomorrow. I enjoyed speaking with you, Eric Northman, and I can't wait until we can speak again."
Eric watched his Kitten leave with the V user he came in with. Continuing to look in the direction Harry left until he could no longer hear him, he finally moved to acknowledge Pam.
"Did anyone tell him my name?"
"No, no-one."
"Hmm, that's interesting." Eric thought about why his little kitten would show that he knew who he was. "Did you find anything out about him?"
"A bit. Apparently he just moved to the outskirts of Bon Temps. He's an emancipated orphan, but his parents left him a sizeable inheritance. He keeps to himself, and has no-one he keeps in touch with, even though he has travelled the world for the last two years. And the user was hired to help him set up an art studio in his basement."
"It appears you found out quite a lot. Did you perchance find out his address as well?" Eric questioned interested.
"Unfortunately not. I do, however, know that a river is visible from the house, that it's very large, that it is accessible from the road and that he is thinking about hiring the road crew to pave the dirt driveway leading to the house."
Xxx
Meanwhile, as Jason and Harry leave the club.
"Do you know who you were sitting with?!" Jason almost shouted incredulously at Harry.
"Why, I thought I was speaking to Eric Northman. You know, the vampire-owner of Fangtasia." Harry answered playfully.
Jason looked at Harry like he was stupid. "I know who it was! Do you know how old he is? How powerful?!"
"He's around a thousand years old and oh so very powerful." This was stated matter-of-factly.
Jason was shocked. How did Harry know these things when this was his first time meeting vampires in his life? Hell, he didn't think most people knew what Harry was saying. Shaking his head, he left it alone, knowing from experience that Harry wouldn't say any more if he didn't want to.
Having Jason drop him off at his house at around one in the morning, Harry got ready for bed while thinking about the club and about Eric. Eric, just thinking his name sent shivers down his spine. There was no questioning his attraction to the vampire, and he thought that Eric was attracted to him as well, or at least intrigued by the puzzle he presented. Finally he'd had enough of thinking about Eric for the night and went to bed.
Harry slept peacefully throughout the night and woke up refreshed and with a clear head. Feeling inspired by Eric and his Viking past, Harry made his way to his basement studio to set up a canvas, paints, and brushes. In a trance-like state Harry painted for hours, unaware and uncaring of the passage of time. Once the last stroke was completed Harry became aware of his surroundings again. Before even really looking at his completed work, Harry infused his breath with his magic and blew on the paint to dry it. While travelling the world he had learned a lot of magic besides potions and wand-based magic, utilizing his magic in such a way was only the tip of the iceberg.
Studying his painting critically, Harry decided that he would give it to Eric tonight when he went to Fangtasia with his portfolio. Decision made, Harry signed the painting, grabbed something quick to eat and hopped into the bathroom for a nice, relaxing soak in the tub before he got ready for the evening ahead.