Claire POV

Claire stood watching Amelie in disbelief; the Founder was bawling like a baby. Okay, that was an exaggeration. Amelie was just heaving her shoulders - permitting tears to fall from her eyes. Generally known around Morganville as the equivalent of a bawling vampire.

The creatures rarely showed any emotion, just the occasional minute expression. Michael's obvious sadness earlier meant his insides must have been a mashed up mess. Oh, Michael...

Amelie sniffed delicately, forcing Claire to look at her poor figure, slumped over her desk. Everyone was so out of character today. Claire sighed, for what seemed like the billionth time. Should she comfort the vampire? Amelie wasn't one for open displays of affection. Decision made.

Claire took a step towards the door, purposely setting her back to the weeping woman. Sometimes people just needed privacy.

"Claire," the woman voice spiked in volume as the name went on. Doubling back -Claire returned to her previous stature in response like a good little solider.

"I thought-," she began but then had to swallow. The run over from the hospital had made her mouth feel like a scorpion had set up home there. After a second of recovery, she carried on: "I thought you wanted to be alone."

"Claire", Amelie repeated. The Founder's face was repositioned to its usual self: perfect yet inscrutable, the face said clearly and slowly: "the drama of life begins with a wail and ends with a sigh."

Smart as she was, Claire had no clue what the heck Amelie was making riddles about this time.

Amelie continued: "I like to interpret those words as 'We are all human, things happen'" The ghost of a smile playing on her thin lips

"But you're not human. Unless you forgot - you are a vampire -"

"So that reflects my emotions? Poor little child, when the time comes for you to turn; you can speak to me about emotions then. Until this moment, take my word as the truth."

Ah, someone's feeling better already.

"okaay- Are you busy?" Claire pointed at the papers, "I can come back."

"I can hear your heartbeat, you have something bothering you."

"It's, um, just... Michael.. He's acting really wrong. He k-kissed me."

Amelie looked impassive at that.

"And this is worth bothering me because -"

"Because I am sick and tired of people using me as a pawn in their games. I want it to stop." Claire started to shout, releasing all the pain and irritation hidden within her ever since she came to this damn town.

"I understand. You want my guidance." Amelie nodded her head, the blonde knot at the base of her skull jiggling and flopping with each fractional movement.

"Well? What can you do?!"

"You already know the answer."

Claire shuddered, contemplating the possibilities. All she wanted was to be recognised and respected. Not a stepping stone to annoy or please someone else. Never, ever allow herself to get into a situation like that again.

"Shouldn't we find Myrnin?"

"Hum, that would be much preferable, yes."

"Where is he?"

Amelie smiled, and buzzed for her assistant on a telephone upon her desk. Normally vampires hate modern technology... But Claire supposed times change.

The next second, Mrynin came through the door.

"Hello Claire," he said, his dark eyes glistening with the mischief yet to come.

"Wha-"

"We have an enemy among us Claire, many people want Our Founder dead. It seemed obvious I needed to hide." Mrynin chuckled, crazily fulfilled with the idea of such a great deception.

Claire smiled widely, her mind screaming that the last time she had seen this vampire had been... Their kiss. Oh. The smile went as soon as it came.

Grunting, she said, "How's this going to happen?"

"Oh," Mrynin said, "that, dear, is your choice. It will definitely be me completing this task as our Founder is too weak at present. Creating Michael took a lot of fuel out of her. When do you wish to become a vampire, sweet Claire?"

Claire took a few seconds to think. As a vampire: she would be able to learn, to protect herself, to help others...

"Tomorrow."

Hmm, I know what's going to happen, but you don't.

Is someone going to cause some trouble before Claire can change, or is she going to shock everyone with her new vampy looks?

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