Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Southern Vampire Mysteries universe.
A/N: First I want to say thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. You have all made me really happy. Since I see a lot of you tend to like the stories that are from Eric's point of view (which are the ones I usually like writing better) here is another one. It's short but it was a quick update!
Theme 9: Drive
POV: Eric
Rating: T
Driven
I have always been a very driven man; in my human life and as a vampire. Before I became the sheriff of Area 5, Sophie-Anne asked me what it was that motivated me. My immediate reply was to tell her that she had asked a very loaded question. I even though I was able to answer perfectly well; I knew that the longer I existed, the more the answer would evolve.
At the time I told her, "I am motivated by sex, money and hunger; in that order." To some degree the answer included power, too, but that is not something you tell a vampire whose rank is superior to yours while hoping to secure a position under them. And every vampire, regardless of age, is driven, to some degree by hunger.
It was a satisfying answer, particularly for a vampire of my age. It showed that I was not heavily swayed by emotions, which some vampires are prone to be, no matter how old. It also bespoke my age, for a younger vampire would have answered much differently, as I once did.
A newly turned vampire is always motivated by the same to things, bloodlust (more literally than most humans mean it) and hunger. There is such a craving for blood when you first awaken in your new state that it is the only thing that drives you. Even the greatest vampires, began their undead lives in this way.
The hunger remains for a long time after the bloodlust changes to simple lust. Never let it be said that vampires are not sexual creatures. The knowledge that sex, for us, is generally without consequences, makes it that much simpler to be motivated by lust and sex.
The need to acquire as much money (or power) as possible, does not appear in every vampire. Some prefer to live as simply as possible Even when it does appear, it usually doesn't form for several hundred years and rarely takes place in vampires who stay always near their sires; an unusual circumstance to begin with. I figured, once I reached a certain age, that if my existence was going to be so long, it might as well be passed in style.
My own personal motivation remained the same for such a long time, that everyone assumed it would stay the same. Eric Northman was a vampire driven by sex, money, hunger, and a certain amount of power. I did not, by any means, wish to become a king. These things are what motivated me to take the position of sheriff of Area 5. They were what motivated me to open Fangtasia after the revelation. They were the reasons I began to pursue Sookie Stackhouse.
But Sookie Stackhouse was something I hadn't counted on. She was something I had never come across in my 1000 year existence. She was the reason my motivation changed. After I regained my memories from the time I was cursed, and found out what the curse had been. My motivation geared more towards what would please Sookie. After the Fairy War, my motivation was Sookie's protection.
I am driven to the same degree as I ever was, but for the first time in my life, my drive comes from something other than improving my own situation. In my long existence, I had read of such a thing happening, many times, but I never believed it really could until, after a thousand years of thinking only of myself, I suddenly wasn't my main concern anymore.
This change in my motivation will more than likely get me into a lot of trouble and I imagine that if it were the answer I had given Sophie-Anne all those years ago, I might not have survived, much less been appointed a sheriff. When it comes right down to it, however, I believe it is the strongest motivation I have ever felt, and I have always been a very driven man.
A/N: Next theme is "Breathe Again."