Eric's cool demeanor returned to him as he watched Stan, "I think it would be in your best interest to leave alone what doesn't belong to you." Adriane couldn't believe it, how dare he imply there was any form of ownership where she was concerned. She took a breathe and tried to keep her emotions in check, "Exactly what does that mean Eric, because the last time I checked I was a person not an object."
"I'm really only looking out for you, and besides do you not have other responsibilities elsewhere," Eric kept his eyes locked with Stan's throughout their exchange. "Responsibilities that I so graciously allowed, even to the interference of a makers right." Eric finally turned to her as he said this.
All the while Stan listened, wondering if what Eric implied was true. Was Adriane his, had Eric laid claim to her in some way. He made up his mind, "It seems to me, that the lady isn't anyone's." Stan watched as Eric turned ever so slowly to face him again. "This isn't your jurisdiction sheriff, so maybe you out to rethink where you stand," Stan paused to take in the fury that smoldered just underneath Eric's eyes. "Don't you got some other responsibilities, after all I thought you cared just so much about your maker." Adriane felt it more than she saw it, Eric had moved to stand closer to Stan. He was so close that Adriane imagined Stan could smell his breathe. "Eric…Stan told me that you and he were going to the Fellowship tonight…there isn't much time before dawn", Adriane considered a distraction was necessary at this point.
"And so we were, are you ready Stan", Eric continued to stand close to Stan it a way that suggested he would not be the first to move. "I'm ready when you are sheriff, unless you'd rather run away?" That did it, Eric's fangs were out and Adriane knew only a miracle could stop what would come next. The miracle came in the form of Jessica being harshly dragged towards them by Bill. Adriane watched as Sookie ran behind them shouting Bill's name, "Well looks like its time for me to go." Adriane knew that this storm was better than the one she had just been in. "I have had enough, I will not allow this to continue any further," Bill readied himself for any opposition from Eric. There was not any need though, Eric stepped away from Stan and walked right past Bill. He only stopped as he reached Sookie, Adriane watched as he whispered something into her ear, "Fine Bill, it was no longer amusing to me anyway."
"Oh, and Adriane I expect to see you later…we have things to discuss." Eric was hardly finished with her though, "In the meantime, you should stay away from barn animals…they are beneath you I think." Adriane knew he hadn't meant Devil, who looked ready to gallop off with fright from the earlier tension. Eric, who obviously liked to have the last say was gone before she got a chance to respond.
"I'm sorry Bill, I know I didn't help very much," Adriane waited quietly for the him to go off on her. Instead he held onto Jessica by the scruff of her shirt and patted her on the shoulder with his free hand, "I can't say I'm not upset, but its all right." Adriane looked up and found a smile on gracing her own face. Maybe Bill was more understanding than she thought. She vowed that in the future, she would try to see his perspective first instead of just jumping the gun. In retrospect she really didn't know what it was truly like to watch over a young vampire.
After promising to meet Sookie at the car, she turned to see Stan leaning against a fence. She wondered if he had been waiting for her, or was just letting Devil roam around a little more.
"From the looks of things, I guess your not going out to see the fellowship's defenses tonight." Adriane really wanted to spend more time with him, but also wanted to avoid talking about what had taken place earlier. "I may still go it alone, maybe I can catch a stray," Stan wanted to stay with her but needed to let off a little steam. Adriane choose to ignore his comment about catching a 'stray', "Stan…never mind". Adriane was about to bring up the very thing she had wanted to avoid, instead she decided to just leave. Stan watched her leave with some annoyance, he wanted her to finish the sentence. Before she was out of hearing range he decided to just say what was on his mind, "Are you his?"
Adriane stopped walking, turned right around and walked right up to Stan, "Do you think I am?" She wasn't really angry with the question, it just bothered her that he had to ask it. From what went on before, she supposed it wasn't a surprise he'd wondered about it. "Didn't you tell Eric that this 'lady' wasn't anyone's?"
"I guess, that I said that cause I wanted to make him mad," Stan took off his hat as he said this. Adriane started to think that was a gesture he made when he felt uncomfortable, "I'm really not his…I've never been…um…just take my word for it." She started to feel nervous about where the conversation was leading them. "Will we continue the lessons…can I still ride Devil?" Adriane hoped with all her heart that he'd say yes.
Stan thought of saying no, I mean how did it look. His sheriff was missing and he was playing teacher to some human? Not just any human either, one that was turning out to be a lot of trouble. Even with all of these thoughts running around his head he knew he was going to say yes. Stan remembered the way she felt in his arms, how she had stroked his fangs, "Yeah, I don't see the harm." It wasn't long after that conversation took place, that they parted ways. The night was no longer young but it still held some spirit. Adriane headed off to meet Sookie at the car. Later on she hoped to confront Eric, and learn what he wanted to 'discuss' with her.