What We Do In The Shadows: "Jen..."
Summary: There are unexpected consequences when Laszlo seeks a new human familiar...
Part CII…
[Note-Naturally we are diverging from the new season storyline into AU territory]
Outside the Cravenwood-Relentless manion…
"Who's that?" Simon peered from a bush as a young woman of blonde hair, in gown, looking a bit anxiously self-conscious, emerged from a car. The driver departing an instant later as the woman staring about in some wonder, mounted the steps, finally ringing bell.
"Well, not the Slayer, she's inside with her father." Lesley noted.
The door opened and she went inside.
"Hmmn…" Simon looked after. "Pretty little thing in her way…" Uh…He caught Lesley's stare.
"Sorry, you know me, darling." Apologetic tone. "And really, I'm thinking in terms of what's for dinner."
Really? Todd from his post across the large driveway, listening. She's jealous of Simon the Devious with some lil' human dame? Of no special power that I can stiff out. And Simon the Devious, maniacal killer/self-proclaimed Vampiral Lord of Manhattan/whipped poodle boyfriend? He shook head to Harris' look.
Who can explain this thing called Love? Harris' shrug.
"Letting a girl like that come unattended and unguarded…" Lloyd noted in his turn to Harris and Todd, frowning. "I get the modern independence of women stuff, but camon. It's a dangerous world." Both nodding…
…
"Britt!" Jacqueta inside had hurried over to greet her friend as the newly arrived Brittany peered nervously into the grand hall from the foyer. Laszlo, Nandor standing carefully near, Dr. Devers, Shaun, David, and Jennifer, with Suzette in arms, looking over.
Ginny, now on sofa, just a bit concerned by her other daughter Ellie's apparent exhaustion after determining it was not an affected indolence, looking over as well. Offering friendly wave as Jacqueta eagerly embraced her friend.
"Ellie, you want to go upstairs and sleep a little?" she asked. "I'm just going to say hi to Brittany and I'll take you."
"Sure, yeah…" Ellie, wanly. "Brittany? Jackie's girl?" vaguely.
Hmmn…Ginny frowned.
She wasn't all that tired a few minutes ago. And she's a bit too young to get worn down so…Damn. Looking round…
Yeah. She caught sight of Colin Robinson by the basement stairs, looking over at Nandor, still pondering.
"Just wait here, honey. I'll be back."
"Uh-huh…" Ellie nodded, leaning back.
"Colin, you sob!" Ginny hissed at him. He turned to eye her with annoyance.
Just because we're worked and plotted a little together is no call for you to be getting informal, mortal suck-puppy.
"You were supposed to avoid draining the guests!" glare.
"I needed a pick-me up. Sue me." He eyed her coldly. "She'll be fine in a minute."
"Do that again and…" she began, angrily.
"Who do you think you are, you groveling little mortal bag of…?!" he cried, eyes enflamed, loud enough to turn several heads.
Fortunately besides Laszlo and Nandor, the several heads being Claude, Guillermo, Phyllis/Van Helsing, Erika, Eloise, just back from the main buffet table, and Jacqueline/Soul Nadja…Though Jen, David and the others noted a bit of noise.
Laszlo sighing but also annoyed…Hearing far more clearly than the others…
There are limits to my patience with you, Colin Robinson. And insulting our beloved minions is about that.
"Anything wrong?" Eloise had made it over even faster than Laszlo, eyeing Colin sternly.
"Certainly not." Colin carefully, eyes instantly normal again. "I just stubbed my toe on that damned statue base and cried out." Indicating a bust of Caesar Nandor had eagerly insisted be placed in the main hall…Laszlo rather eagerly agreeing both out of a sense of history and Nadja's remark that "the baldy Roman looked a bit like you, Laszlo".
"Uh-huh, Ginny…?" she eyed Ginny who frowned but nodded.
"Alls fine. Though I hope my Ellie isn't coming down with anything." She looked at Colin who darkened slightly.
Be glad I'd need of you alive just a bit longer, bitch. Or I'd've ground you down to dust.
Whoa, now that's actual rage there on the face of the beige one, Laszlo noted in wonder.
"I'm sure she'll be fine. Kids pick up all sorts of things in college. If you'd like the stats…" Colin, calm tone. Slight annoyance at Ginny's insistent…"I would not."
Our little minion relator is getting a bit too full of herself, he thought, grimly.
I may not wait to see her torn apart in the fighting…Though, no…Not quite the time to strut my stuff and make my Big Speech. Not quite yet.
"Yes, alls fine, I'm sure." Laszlo nodded. Glancing at Colin with slight annoyance…Eloise likewise. Colin eyeing both coldly.
Not the time to be a prick, prick, Laszlo returned stare. Making a slight sign to Ginny to leave things to him.
"I'll take her upstairs to rest a minute." Ginny noted.
"Probably a good idea. You know, most people can get by with a little as two hours sleep for several days." Colin, calmly.
"Yeah, thanks." Ginny headed back to the sofa, taking Ellie by the hand, Jacqueta and Brittany coming over to her, Jacqueta inquiring with concern after her sister, Ginny shaking head as to the seriousness. Just a bit tired, probably a cold coming on. All four heading up stairs.
"What are you about, Colin Robinson?" Laszlo glared, harsh whisper.
"Down, girl." Colin smiled thinly at Eloise. She growling the slightest of growls, looking to Laszlo questioningly. Not the time, my dear…His returned look.
Ach…Phyllis/Van Helsing staring. Glance to Jacqueline/Soul Nadja.
We don't need a werewolf/daywalker face off just now.
Guillermo, Claude, and Derek still preoccupied as Althea reached them, looking at each in turn with eager expression. Dracula following carefully, but pausing to look over at Colin and Laszlo and Eloise.
"I've a pool to check for infestations of all types. I think there maybe a dog around messing things up." Colin, sneering a bit. "Excuse me, will ya both." To the frowning Eloise as well. Casually strolling for the basement stairs.
"Should I?" Eloise hissed to Laszlo. "Leave him to me, Miss." He shook head.
"That Robinson" Erika, by Phyllis and Jaqueline, reddening, looking over at Laszlo. "F-ing little…Swinehund." she moved.
Phyllis and Jacqueline exchanging glances…Hmmn…
We also don't need a minion/vamp, even daywalker, fight just now.
Nandor watching the scene beside a now concerned Jen, likewise staring…What's that all…? While still speculating on his new situation with some considerable wonder…
Could it be a mistake? Marwa? My Redemption?
Well Vlad and his daughter seem convinced. Jahan came to cheer me on. And I do feel as if…
But as to Marwa? When thrall loosens even slightly the reactions can be rather…Odd. But no, Martha couldn't know…Unless.
Dear God, I wasn't forgotten or abandoned all these centuries. Not at all. I'm as lucky a donkey's butt as my dear old frienemy Vlad. A warm smile…
My God…I'm starting to enjoy saying that again…I think my fangs are retracting.
"Miss Erika…" Phyllis, cautiously. "You might want to let Mr. Cravensworth handle things."
Erika eyeing her.
"Indeed…Erika." Jacqueline agreed. "He seems to have things well in hand."
"Yes, I suppose so." Erika, hesitant, calming as Colin strode off. Laszlo turning, caught sight of the three women.
Alls well, he put up a hand.
Though really I've no clear idea what just happened. But I think I need to get to the bottom of this one. Colin's never been so clearly upset. Nor quite so malevolent.
And I should know malevolence…Some of my best friends…Including my own dear wife…
Nandor now coming over to him, followed by Jennifer who'd managed to leave Suzette with David as he'd returned to his history discussion with Dr. Devers.
"What is wrong, Laszlo Cravensworth?" he asked.
"Not really sure." Laszlo frowned. "Colin Robinson just bit, figuratively, Ginny's head off for no reason I can fathom. Think I need to go speak to our old chum."
"Very well, I shall go speak to Miss Virginia." Nandor noted.
"Yes. Well, it may just be…" Laszlo suddenly sniffed. "Do you smell…Anything?"
"What? No." Nandor shook head.
"Could have sworn I smelled something off." Laszlo, looking about.
"Oh, do not offend our Miss Eloise, Laszlo Cravensworth." Careful lowered tone as Eloise moved to join Phyllis, Erika, and Jacqueline.
"No, I don't think it a werewolf scent. Nor human bo." Laszlo shook head. "And it wasn't coming from her direction. Indeed it seems just a bit stronger now."
"Stronger you say? I would suggest Colin Robinson has perhaps farted in his departure?"
"Hmmn…Well, that is his modus operandi outside of draining when offended." Laszlo reflected. "And it does have that touch of human his farts give off. But his stench is usually more direct and pungent."
"He may not have wished to offend our guests but merely signal his displeasure. Excuse me, I should go and see to our Martha. She was a bit upset earlier." Nandor, hurriedly.
"Indeed, by all means old fellow." Laszlo, coy smile, nodded. "Pursue that bit of skirt while you're free and easy."
"Excuse me?" Nandor, slight bridling.
Sir, my wife's honor is not to be questioned.
Hmmn, perhaps not quite the right time to be standing on husbandry honor…Yet.
Laszlo, not catching the said bridling…"Oh, say how did your battle royal go with 'Dr. Acura' and his girl? You know you look the very model of an ancient ruthless general as Gilbert and Sullivan would have said if they'd've encountered you." Smile.
"Thank you. The young lady crushed my forces with a bold countercharge, a worthy daughter of her house indeed." Nandor noted, solemn nod.
"And…As to…?" Laszlo hesitated.
"My offer was submitted, we shall see."
"I see. Well, for my part, much as I'd want to protect my Nadja, I'll hope he turns you down. It wouldn't be the same Unlife without you." Laszlo noted with smile. "Let me go see to Colin Robinson and I'll meet you back here shortly with whatever is marching up his beige arse about us."
"Excellent. And thank you. Must see to Marw…Martha." Nandor, hurrying off.
…
Cut to camera, Nandor upstairs with Marwa/Martha in bedroom, door securely closed…
"A narrow escape indeed. Laszlo nearly caught on to the return of my soul, with who knows what dangerous consequences. However, my dear wife has suggested I mask my scent with a fragrant oil called Older Spices. Oh, sorry, 'Old Spice'." At her quick whisper.
"She says she's always found it quite overpowering over natural body odors. Indeed." Slight gag. Marwa/Martha coughing as well…
"I think this would cover even the stench of the poor corpses of my countless victims…Oh, my." Sigh.
Marwa/Martha, distressed look, patting him gently.
…