All Hell Breaks Loose
Chapter 57 Winter Wonderland
Sookie had decided to put on her snowflake print sweater again but this time she was wearing her dark blue shirt and she was wearing a jacket over it. She had put on thick socks that went up to her knees and her favorite pair of boot cut jeans and black boots. She decided to complete the festive look by wearing snowflake earrings and her Santa cap that had were name written on it in a glittery gold paint.
"You are looking festive," Jason said. He had on his red plaid jacket over his snowman sweatshirt and also wore jeans and boots. "I know this is supposed to be a date but you don't mind if we all use the same vehicle? We can use my truck and cut down on the gas use."
"Sounds like it would be smart," Sookie said. "I'll check with Alcide first but I'm sure he would agree."
Jessica and Steve had emerged from the basement a few minutes later Steve was dressed in a white suit with an AVL pin on his upper left lapel. Jessica had put on a green dress and wore gold jewelry and Sookie was about to ask about the cold, but remembered at the last second and bit back on her tongue.
"You both look nice," Sookie complimented them. "I just love that dress, and Steve, you look very handsome tonight."
"Thank you," Jessica said.
"Thank you very much," Steve said.
"Wow," Jason said as he glanced them over. "My two favorite vampires are outshining me tonight on appearance."
"Don't you say that," Steve said.
"You look very nice," Jessica added.
"I love the both of you," Jason said before he kissed Jessica and Steve.
Sookie ran to the door as soon as she heard the door knock and opened it. Alcide was there dressed in black shirt, leather jacket and Jeans. He was smiling.
"You look beautiful tonight," Alcide said to her.
"You also look great," Sookie said. "Come on in." She stepped back to let the werewolf enter.
"Alcide I have a small question," Jason said as soon as everyone had greeted each other. "Don't mind if we take my truck, save you on gas?"
"Sure," Alcide said. He put an arm around Sookie's shoulders. "As soon as everyone is ready."
"We are ready," Sookie said. Her goal was going to be to have fun that night.
Steve had guided them to the area where they could park and as soon as they had stopped he mentioned that he had to go and find some of the members of the AVL before he gives his big welcoming speech. Jessica and Jason wandered off on their own, leaving Sookie and Alcide to be alone.
"Sookie I know you have true feelings for Eric," Alcide said.
"I know," Sookie said. "But I'm glad you are here with me."
"Your brother seems happy with his girlfriend and his boyfriend."
"I know. I want Jason to be happy." She felt Alcide's arm around her shoulders.
"How about I try to win you something?"
They walked to one of the game booths where the object of the game was to knock over a pillar of what looked like fruit cakes wrapped in plastic with fake rubber snow balls.
"Now you sir look big and strong," the barker said. "Do you think you can knock these over?"
"Let me try," Alcide said and handed the barker some money. He received three snowballs. He threw one and knocked several cakes over, he knocked even a few more with his second throw and after his third throw there wasn't a single fruit cake standing.
"Good arm," the barker said. "What kind of prize would you like?"
"Which one would you like, Sookie?" Alcide asked.
There were various stuffed animals of different sizes. Sookie pointed at a large snow fox with a red scarf.
"Now what would you like to do?" Alcide asked.
"Let's see what kind of rides there are," Sookie suggested. There were several familiar rides that have been given a festive look. There was a carousel with reindeer, polar bears, snow dragons and horses adorned with sleigh bells. The roller coaster was called the Sleigh Ride and the sky bucket seats were designed like those on ski lifts. The Ferris wheel was lit up with lights that blinked from red and green to blue and white.
There were several other game booths all with holiday related themes and various food booths. There were plenty of hot beverage stands that sold cocoa and cider. There were also stands that sold large gingerbread cookies, large red and white peppermint lollipops, latkes, pecan Yule logs, turkey legs, and even regular fair food such as corn dogs, funnel cakes, and large pretzels.
There were a few large thrones that looked like they were made out of gingerbread and decorated with candy that had someone dressed up as Santa Clause seated in it. Children were lining up to see these Santas and were given special stockings.
"I suggest we go on some of the more faster and wild rides first," Alcide said and nodded towards the roller coaster. "In case we want to have something to eat later."
They rode the roller coaster, the tilt a whirl, the scrambler and the large Viking ship at eight thirty they walked back over to where the large stage was. It was almost eight thirty when the AVL would be welcoming them.
"Good evening," the man on the stage greeted the audience and Sookie recognized him as the mayor of Shreveport, Cedric Glover. "Welcome to Shreveport and welcome to the first Carnival of the Holidays." He waited for the applause to die down before he continued. "When I was first approached with the idea back in July I fell in love with it. The idea of all Americans, both the living an undead coming together to enjoy the night and all the festivities that classic carnival can provide and not only will we be celebrating the union of both humans and vampires but also the different holidays that everyone in Shreveport and neighboring cities celebrate."
Sookie clapped along with the rest of the audience and smiled at Alcide who smiled back. She knew there some werewolves who wanted to reveal to the world what they were and they have been living alongside the humans for centuries.
"Now our next speaker needs no introduction," Mayor Glover continued. "He is the only person who has been a spokesperson for both Fellowship of the Sun and the American Vampire League. Ladies and gentlemen, Steve Newlin."
The audience clapped again as the mayor took a step back and Steve stepped forward. Sookie had noted it was not quite as loud as the applause for the mayor and she wondered if it was because Steve was a vampire. She had to wonder if they were not comfortable around vampires the why did they come to a carnival that was sponsored by the American Vampire League.
"It's great to see all of you and it's great to be here," Steve began as the applause died down. "The reason we are here, well there is a lot of reasons to be here. I sure do love a good carnival and if I were still human I'd be looking for the nearest booth that sold corndogs. They were one of my vices in the past."
"Those are kind of addicting," Alcide agreed.
"But I am not here to dwell on the past," Steve continued. "We are here to focus on the now and the future. I want to know how many of my fellow vampires are here in the audience right now?" He waited as several hands were in the air. "It's great to see you have come out as it is to see everyone else. Now I am a proud Christian. I love the lord and love his son, Jesus. I feel blessed waking up each night knowing that they are watching over me."
"Amen," several people shouted.
"But there are not just Christians out here tonight. There are those who follow the Torah and the Koran. There are Hindus, Buddhists, Shintoists, Wiccans, those follow the older religions of Scandinavia, Greece, Egypt, and those of the ancient druids. This is what tonight is all about. Everyone coming together to learn and respect each other's beliefs and mostly we are to enjoy ourselves and have a good time."
The audience applauded again only a little louder.
"Thank you now go and enjoy yourselves and please return here at nine for our small plays." Steve did not lose his grin at all while he spoke and continued to smile even when he had left the stage.
"I know I'm having a good time," Sookie said as finished clapping. "Are you having fun?"
"Haven't been to a carnival in a while," Alcide said. "And thanks to the former reverend I have got a huge craving for a corn dog."
They walked back over to some of the food booths and purchased corn dogs, latkes and something to drink. They ate their treats while they walked back to the stage and nearly bumped into Steve who had already reunited with Jason and Jessica.
"Looks like we are together again," Jessica said. She had Steve both were carrying bottles of Tru Blood.
"Great speech," Alcide told him."
"I didn't have to add lib anything," Steve said before he took a sip from the bottle he was carrying. "Are you going to watch the play?"
"I wouldn't miss it," Sookie said. She would love to see how Ismene's people had celebrated their winter holiday.
"Nice fox, sis," Jason commented on her stuffed animal.
"Alcide won it for me," Sookie said as she placed her arm around her friend.
"I should try some of these games," Jason said. "Maybe try and win something for Jessica."
"Or I might try and win something for myself," Jessica told him.
"Or for myself or for Steve," Jason said. "Or we can all try and win our own prizes."
"I already have my prize," Steve said and pointed up. He was standing under an archway that was set up and had mistletoe hanging from it.
"Both our prizes," Jason said and walked up to him. He cradled Steve's face in his hands before they leaned into each other for a kiss. As soon as they parted Jessica grabbed onto Steve and gave him a kiss before she kissed Jason.
"Now that is an interesting way to kiss," Alcide said. "I guess it would be bad of me if I stood under that?"
"No it wouldn't," Sookie said and stepped under the arch.
Alcide gave her a small kiss on her forehead before he stepped back. "Not too forward now was it?"
"No it wasn't."
"Would it be forward if I gave the little lady a kiss?" One of the Santas had approached them. There was something familiar about his voice.
"All good holiday fun," Sookie said.
The Santa leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm certainly feeling a bit more festive." There was no mistaking that voice now.
"Eric?" Sookie asked.
The Santa pulled down on his beard for a second, but that second was all that Sookie needed to confirm who it was.
A/N: I'm not a big fan of corndogs myself but my husband really loves them.
If I don't post anything before Sunday let me whish a Happy Easter to those who sell it. My two year old will be egg collecting for the first time.