Among the trees

[onceaviking]

Eric seems to have a very specific tree in mind, steering Athelstan down paths invisible to the human eye.

The tree turns out to be an oak, widespread and solid.

Comments

[onceaviking]

Eric shakes his head.
"He doesn't," he says with absolute certainty.

[athelstanthescribe]

Well, Eric would know.

"Still. Without proof she's never coming back, to sell her home..." He shakes his head.

[onceaviking]

"As I said, he is an idiot," Eric says with a sniff.
"But now it'll be waiting for her. For when she returns."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"And will be safe for - well, certainly for her possible lifespan."

Probably longer.

[onceaviking]

Eric nods.
"Yes. It will stand as she left it."

Then he smiles a little.
"And seeing as it is now my house, I won't need an invitation once she returns."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan eyes him.

"She may not be so grateful when she learns that fact."

[onceaviking]

Eric eaves him off.

"She'll come around," he says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Perhaps. If you don't abuse the ability too much."

Nobody likes people sneaking into their house, vampire or not.

[onceaviking]

"She is very good at getting into trouble. She'll come to appreciate that I can show up without too much hassle," Eric says, still sounding confident.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan laughs quietly. "I suppose, if there are other dangers than vampires - or she accidentally invites one in."

[onceaviking]

"She is far too trusting. And no vampire can resist a fairie."

[athelstanthescribe]

"What does Bill Compton have to say about all this?"

[onceaviking]

"He's been dismissed. After she saw him for what he is."
He sounds smug.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I can't imagine he took that lightly."

Which doesn't mean it got him anywhere.

[onceaviking]

"Bill Compton enjoys his misery," Eric says.

[athelstanthescribe]

"And sharing it with everyone around him?"

[onceaviking]

"Oh yes. As the new King he has already been incredibly annoying."
Eric sounds disdainful.

[athelstanthescribe]

"...could he banish you from Louisiana?" Athelstan asks, half flippant, half serious.

(Of course, Compton would surely know that wouldn't be much of a punishment.)

[onceaviking]

"He doesn't have due course. And besides, I bring in plenty of revenue. He'd also need another Sheriff for Area Five and there are no usable candidates. So he could. But he won't."

[athelstanthescribe]

"So if you wanted to give him cause, it would have to be something quite dramatic."

[onceaviking]

"It would. And he could never take me in a straight fight, so he'd have to hope that I would listen to him."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods. "And that would depend on your inclination at the time."

[onceaviking]

"Yes, it would," Eric says with a small smile.
"And that says everything there is to say about Bill Compton and I."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Do you think one day you'll kill him?"

It's an honest question, simply curious.

[onceaviking]

"I might. Then again, him knowing that I could and me refraining -"

Power.