Knighties:  Vampires At the Hive Party (1/1)
Date/Time:  Nov 10, after midnight, follows Knighties: Hive Party Post and
 UF: Bright and Jovial Among Our Guests Tonight (2/2)
Place:  The Hive
By Knighties Sandra and Brooksie
Janette used by permission of the WM, and LaCroix by permission of the
Cousins


When the scrum of Knighties loosened around their vampire, and he was able
to move feely, he caught sight of his sister, his wife, his lover of almost
800 years.  She was sitting at the bar pretending not to notice him.  Like a
moth drawn to a flame, he drifted in her direction and was so intent on
reaching her that he never saw the three little ratsies, dressed in scrubs,
which were scampering about underfoot.  His full glass of bovine lost some
of its contents onto the floor.

"Why, mon cher, you must be eager to see me." said Janette, who had missed
the real cause of his faux pas because of the crush of ooglers around
Miklos.  She smiled faintly and raised her eyebrows slightly, then cast her
gaze to the blood he'd spilled.

Nick followed her gaze, and angsted a bit at the accident.  He shouldn't
have rushed over to see her.  He looked back at Janette and saw that her
blue eyes were on him again. He smiled at her and said, "I guess so.  You
look...radiant tonight."

Janette pursed her lips and tilted her head. "Thank you, Nicola."

"Although I am surprised that you would be the guest of honor at a UF
party."  Nick cast a meaningful look at the pictures over the bar of him and
LaCroix.

Janette followed his gaze and took a deep breath before replying, "Why
shouldn't I?  I am my own woman.  I am not dependent on...anyone...for my
amusement."

Nick bent to kiss her elegantly gloved hand, "Janette, I didn't mean--"

Janette smiled again, thoroughly enjoying Nicholas' discomfort.  She turned
on her seat to face him, resting one hand on the bar, and with the other she
began to caress the lapel of his suit jacket. "Why are *you* here, Nicola?
Hmm?"

"Surely you've heard the reason all the factions are in Toronto?"

"The rock?  Oui.  You intend to find it, I suppose."

"Of course."  Nick leaned forward eagerly.  "Will you help me?  Have you
heard anything about anyone finding it already?"

Janette sighed and sat back on her bar stool.  "Really, Nicola," she pouted,
"This is *my* party.  Not an...investigation."

Nick looked chagrined.  "Yes, it is.  I'm sorry.  But if you do hear
anything--"

Janette looked past Nick.  "Perhaps you should ask LaCroix."

Nick followed her gaze to see their master approaching them.  The elder
vampire was resplendent as usual in his Armani.  He spoke first to his
daughter.  "Janette, ravishing, as usual," he purred and kissed her hand.
Janette smiled slightly.  The vampire turned his gaze to Nick.  "Nicholas.
Lovely party, wouldn't you say?"

Nick only nodded.  LaCroix glanced back at Janette and then looked again at
Nick.

"Perhaps we should speak in private."  He turned once more to Janette and
added, "With your kind permission, of course."

Janette inclined her head in consent.

LaCroix put his hand on Nick's shoulder and guided him across the room.
When they had reached a quieter corner, LaCroix stopped and turned to his
protégée.  But it was a scowling Nick who spoke first.

"What do *you* want, LaCroix?"

LaCroix's hand fell to his side.  He tried to keep his voice even.  "Always
a question Nicholas.  Don't you ever tire of asking rather than knowing?"

Nick looked away.

"Hmmm, I suppose I should take some comfort in knowing that you never
change."  The elder vampire paused and softened his features somewhat.  "I
wanted to talk to you about the reason why we are all here.  For a rock.
Imagine it Nicholas.  A mere rock, scribbled on by some aboriginal, holding
the secret for which you have been searching for centuries.  A bit more
dramatic and serious than the last one, no?"

Nick faced LaCroix.  "It is serious; for me!  I *will* be rid of you one
day."

"You think so," was the cool reply.

"*When* we find the sacred rock of the Mississauga, and follow the
instructions, I will be walking in the sun, where you can't follow me!"

Nick and LaCroix glared at each other for a few moments.

"Careful what you wish for," LaCroix growled, "It just might come true!"

Nick turned partially away from his master and surveyed the room before he
returned his attention to LaCroix.  "Are you through taunting me?  I have
better places to be."

LaCroix's eyebrows arched elegantly at his son.  Then he sighed.  "For the
moment, Nicholas."  He made a dismissive gesture.  "Scamper off to your
little bevy of groupies.  They seem to be looking for you and after the last
war, I would prefer not to be around them."  He turned to go, and then
added, "By the way, whose idea was 'puppy pile'?"

Nick finally smiled.  "They're my Knighties and I think I'll keep them!"
And he continued smiling at his master's disappearing back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
End