Eric's room - for Athelstan

[onceaviking]

Eric's room is neat and bare.
He hadn't been expecting to return.

He opens the door and lets Athelstan in. Then he switches on the bedside lamp and turns to look at him.

Comments

[onceaviking]

"Even if they have to serve a vampire to do so," Eric says with a small, somewhat unpleasant smile.

[athelstanthescribe]

He smiles slightly.

"No doubt he thinks one favour isn't such a high price, for his father's safety."

[onceaviking]

"Oh, but it grates," Eric says.

Sometimes, it would appear that his life is one big pissing contest.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan eyes him, amused.

"And would that be part of why you chose him?"

[onceaviking]

"It's a greater qualification that he owns a car large enough and has access to a building site," Eric says.
"Besides, he already knows more than he ought to. I have had him watch over Sookie during the day."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Is she in danger during the day, then? More than other people?"

[onceaviking]

"Because of what she is. Yes. She is highly alluring to vampires."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Can they tell what she is, without being told? I suppose you mean they would send those who can walk in the sun to take her?"

[onceaviking]

"They would. And we can all tell that she is different. Her scent is - she is hard to resist. As for the were, I knew that Edgington wanted her so I had to do something to keep her safe from harm"

At least harm caused by other people.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods. "Since you couldn't simply warn him away from her, with his position so far above yours."

[onceaviking]

"He couldn't know that I had - that I knew her as anything other than something to possess," he says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Ah, yes, because after you killed his Consort, anything he could do to hurt you..."

[onceaviking]

"And my indifference to her was one of the reasons he wound up trusting me enough for me to get close."
To Talbot amongst other things.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And it also made him believe you'd really offer her to him."

[onceaviking]

"Yes."

It had been necessary. He didn't expect her to understand that.

[athelstanthescribe]

"...can you explain to her, now, that you never meant her to come to harm?"

[onceaviking]

He shrugs. And looks away.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Worth a try", he says quietly, "at least."

[onceaviking]

He nods. Not looking at him.

[athelstanthescribe]

"What is it?" he asks, still soft and trying to convey he won't push any further than that.

[onceaviking]

"I shouldn't want her as much as I do," he says, still looking away.
Shouldn't want her the way that he does.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You... don't want her only in bed?" he hazards, because surely sexual desire shouldn't be a problem.

[onceaviking]

"I want her to be mine," Eric says, softly.
And then he adds, "But I do t keep pets. Haven't so far, am not about to begin now."

[athelstanthescribe]

That gets a wry laugh. Then, "Does her fairy side change her lifespan?"

[onceaviking]

"I don't know. She doesn't either I think. Maybe."