Chapter 12

Disclaimer – I do not own SVM/TB characters or stories. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is being made. I just want to play with the Viking!

Chapter 12

Lafayette gave me a little nudge forward and I walked toward the platform. The crewman started setting up the sound system. I looked back at Lafayette and he motioned for me to go ahead with a huge grin on his face.

“I gots ta go, baby girl, but I’s be seein you tonight,” he said as he turned around to leave.

“Wait! You’re not going to stay?” I was suddenly nervous.

“Whats foh?”

“Moral support?”

“Shiyet, yous don needs none a that. Yous have fun now!” With that, he left.

I stepped up to the microphone and looked around the large room. There were only the two of us there.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know your name, but it’s nice to officially meet you,” I said, holding out my hand.

“Oh, right. I’m Warren,” he said, shaking my hand. Of course you are!

“Your name is Warren, seriously?” I started giggling.

“Um, yeah,” he looked confused.

“I’m sorry. I’m really not laughing at your name or you. It’s a nice name. It’s just that…it’s too much. There are too many of you,” I said, trying to stifle my giggles. “May I ask you something, Warren?” I asked once I regained control of myself.

“Sure.”

“Do they only hire people who have the same names as characters from the stories, or is everything just one gigantic coincidence? I mean, is Mustapha going to come walking in or maybe he’s the set director?” I burst out laughing in earnest.

“I don’t understand what you mean,” he said seriously with a very perplexed look on his face, completely unfazed by my hysterical outburst. He obviously had no idea what I was talking about. I felt like I was about to step out on the ledge again, so I let it go before I embarrassed myself further. Maybe he’d never read the stories, so he had no idea that the characters of Warren and Mustapha were close. I didn’t want to offend him nor did I want to explain my bizarre questioning.

“I know. I’m sorry,” I said, calming myself again. “Have you read the script? Do you know what the changes are supposed to be, other than the fact that I’m apparently now a singer?” I asked, changing the subject, wishing I had never raised it.

“Nope. I was only told to get you set up. I’ll be adjusting the music and equipment while you sing to make sure the acoustics are good, and once you are comfortable with the songs, we’ll be done,” he answered as if our previous exchange hadn’t even happened.

“Songs, as in plural?”

“Yep.”

“Isn’t anyone coming in to listen or give me direction?”

“Nope.”

“I don’t understand. Why not?”

He stopped what he was doing and looked at me with a confused expression on his face.

“Why would they?”

“What do you mean? This is a new scene or a new addition or something, isn’t it? Shouldn’t the director or Alcee or someone be here to make sure everything is OK?”

“Nah, I told you. I’m going to make sure the sound is OK, and then you’ll be free to go.”

“This doesn’t make any sense. How can they just add something to the scene and not want to hear or see it? What if it’s not what they want? What if it doesn’t work the way they want? What if it doesn’t look right or doesn’t fit with the scene? I’ve never had a rehearsal where no one wants to see what I’m doing. Where is the director?”

“No worries, everyone has heard you sing. I was given explicit directions to get this set up for the filming later. The rest of the crew is on the other side of town filming today’s scenes,” he said nonchalantly and went back to work cueing up the music.

“Who?”

“What do you mean?” he asked still with his back to me.

“Who gave you explicit directions? Is this normal?” I asked.

“All set. Are you ready for me to start the music?” He asked as he stepped down to the right of the platform.

I looked at him waiting for more information or for him to answer any one of my questions. I was even more confused than before. First Maria-Starr said someone will fill me in without giving me any details, and now there’s no one to ask but Warren, the techie, and he doesn’t know anything!

Granted, I’d never done any professional film work, but what the hell? Shouldn’t I at least have been given a script for some guideline? Shouldn’t someone be here directing me? Surely this was not the way they always worked?

After waiting a moment, I decided to just go with it and stop questioning things. Poor guy was just doing his job and obviously had no answers for me, and no doubt thought I was a fruitcake. He didn’t even seem to comprehend that this was unusual. Continuing to question him was not going to get me anywhere. If it didn’t work, I supposed they would just cut it during filming, change up the scene and put me somewhere else, or take me out of the shot entirely. It’s not like that hadn’t happened the night before.

He stood looking at me waiting for me to give him the cue that I was ready.

“Yes, OK. You can start the music, I guess,” I shrugged and nodded.

~~~

It took about an hour for us to finish. He made several adjustments to the equipment while I rehearsed the music. The first few times, I simply sang the words and let him make his changes. The final time, I really got into it and sang the way I intended to when we filmed.  He stood on the opposite wall to watch and listen; making sure everything was set the way he wanted. When I was done I waited, but he didn’t move.

“That one felt good. How did it sound?” I asked.

Silence.

“Warren? Did it sound OK? Do I need to do it again?”

Nothing.

I stepped down from the platform and walked over to him. He was staring at me just like the audience had done the first time they heard me sing in the tavern a few nights ago. His eyes were glassy as if he was ready to cry. I wasn’t sure what was going on. I didn’t feel the music had been that powerful to cause such a reaction.

“Hey! Are you all right?” I reached out and touched his arm. He blinked and cleared his throat.

“Yeah. That was…that was incredible! I’m sorry. Your voice…you have a beautiful voice.”

“Oh, um, thank you. Are we finished or do you need to change anything?”

“No. That was perfect. I just need to write down all the settings and we’re good to go.”

“OK. I’m going to head out then, if you’re certain.”

“Yeah, yeah, you go on. I’ll be at the filming tonight if there’s any tweaking that needs to be done,” he said with what sounded like awe in his voice.

I nodded and turned to leave.

“Hey, Cricket? About before…”

“Yes?” I turned back anxiously hoping that my earlier hysterical outburst was now going to prove fruitful.

“I, um…”

“Yes?” I said excitedly.

“I’m sorry I was out of it for a minute back there. I was just blown away.”

I looked at him waiting for more. When he didn’t say anything else, I realized he was only referring to his momentary zone out and my imagination was about to get the better of me again.

“Oh, no problem, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah, OK,” he said and returned to the platform to start marking the settings.

I shook my head. I needed to see a shrink. JP was right. Being around all of this was really messing with me.

~~~

I went through the doorway leading out of the main room and stopped to text JP. I wanted to let him know I was on my way home so we could eat together before we had to come back. I noticed a neon pink flyer on each of the tables. My name caught my eye and I picked one up from the closest table to read it.

TONIGHT!!

MIDNIGHT MUSIC WITH CRICKET!!

Early Night/Late Morning Filming = Music goes all night for cast and crew!

Get your requests to Dan by 11pm!!

I looked around and saw Dan behind the bar stocking glasses.

“DAN!?!” I shouted, marching over with the hot pink bulletin in my hand.

“Hey Crick! You sounded great in there! Can’t wait to see you perform tonight,” he said with a huge smile on his face.

“Yeah, about that, what the hell?!”

“What?”

“THIS!” I shoved the paper at him.

“I know! People have been stopping in all morning during their breaks and whatnot to put in their requests! It’s gonna be a great night! I’m guessing we’ll have the extras in tonight as well as the others that were here before. They’re even leavin’ up the Fangtasia set so you can start as soon as they’re done tonight. I don’t even know where we’re going to put them all, but they said they’d take care of any fire code issues. I’m trying to get everything stocked up,” he laughed giddily.

“Why didn’t you ask me before you put out these notices?! It’s not like I would have turned you down if you would have asked, but damn it, have you heard of common courtesy, Dan?! This is the second time you’ve done this without asking me!”

“What’s the problem? You’re not changing your mind, are you? You can’t change your mind, Cricket! It’s already set! I even have my guy out picking up an early order! Please tell me you haven’t changed your mind!”

“How can I change my mind from a decision I never made!?”

“What are you talking about? He already asked you and said you were excited.”

“When?”

“Last night.”

“Who?”

“Who what?”

“Who said they asked me?”

“You know, the guy, the guy you talked to last night,” he said, starting to stumble over his words.

“Who, Dan? What guy?”

“I, uh, I can’t remember who now. You’re getting me all flustered,” he said, sounding, indeed, flustered.

“Try! Think!”

“I don’t know! He said he asked you last night and you agreed. I can’t remember. Stop yelling at me!”

I took a much needed deep breath and spoke calmly. I needed to know who had lied to Dan. I planned to confront them. I know that many of the cast and crew enjoyed hearing me sing, but this was crossing the line. There were only a few of people I had spoken to in the bar last night, Alcee, JP, and Tray. JP would have told me when we got home. Alcee and I didn’t speak other than him giving me direction. Tray was the only one I had spoken to in this side of the tavern when I first came in, the same Tray who had been spying on me and slithered back in here after his covert mission was complete.

“I’m sorry. Whoever told you this lied to you. No one asked me anything about performing tonight, not last night or any other night. I just want you to try and remember who it was. I know there were many people in here last night before, during, and after the filming. Please try to remember who said it.”

“I’m sorry, Cricket. I don’t know. It was so crazy in here last night with everything going on. I just remember that I was told you agreed, that they were ending early tonight, and starting late tomorrow so that you could perform all night. Next time I’ll make sure I ask you myself.”

“OK. It’s OK. I’m fine with singing for you. However, they will not all be requests from the audience tonight. I have a few requests of my own that I will be giving to you. I’m going home now to put together my list and talk to JP. Maybe he will remember something or someone talking to you. I’m sorry I yelled at you. I hope you can understand why.”

“Yeah, sure. I get it, and again, I’m sorry that I didn’t talk to you myself. I assumed you wouldn’t be up for it after all the filming, so I was really excited to hear that you wanted to perform.”

“You’re right. I would have asked you to plan it for another night, but since I’ll be here and singing already, at least my voice will be warmed up. I will need a short break, though, at least to change out of my wardrobe and clean up. I suppose that will give you time to set up your equipment unless you plan to use whatever they have set up in the other room.”

“Yeah, yeah, of course, you can take as much time as you want. They’re coming to hear you, so they can wait until you’re ready,” he paused, “You’re sure you’re OK with this?”

“Yes, it will be fine. I just need to rest when I get home. I didn’t get much sleep last night and it’s already been a long day for me. That sounds strange since it’s only one o’clock, but trust me, I’ve been through quite a bit already this morning. I don’t know how you think I’ll be up all night singing,” I laughed.

“I know you’ll be great and the time will fly by. You’ll see,” he said, getting hyped up again.

I shrugged and folded the paper to put in my bag. I wanted to show it to JP. Maybe we could figure out exactly what happened and who the hell did this. It was also bothering me that Dan was acting so strangely. It was not like him to forget a face or any detail about anything or anyone. I imagined that this whole situation was getting to him, too, though in a very different way. He must be exhausted from the constant going and going he was having to do.

“I need to go, Dan. I’ll see you tonight. If you remember anything, please let me know.”

“Sure thing, Cricket. See ya.”

~~~

It was just shy of one thirty when I arrived home. JP had gotten my message and thankfully had already started getting our lunch together. He had been to the grocery store before he heard from me, and bought a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. He was just putting a chicken rice casserole with plenty of vegetables into the oven when I walked in. I sat down heavily at the table and pulled out the flyer to show to him. We would have half an hour to talk it over while we waited.

“I don’t think it was Tray,” he said.

“Why do you say that? Who do you think it was?”

“I don’t know, but why would he tell Dan he had cleared it with you already?”

“Hello?  Why would anyone? That’s my point.”

“How would he have been able to arrange the filming to work around it? Isn’t he security or a bodyguard or something?”

“Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone would be able to arrange that outside of the director. Aren’t they on a schedule? Don’t they have a budget? I think they lose money if they lose time, right? Besides, I have never even spoken to the director, and last night was the first time I saw Alcee, so I’m certain neither of them has even heard me sing yet. Why would they change the filming for this?”

“Well, maybe the director just wants to do something nice for the crew. You did tell them that you would sing again at least once while they were still here. It was obvious they all seemed to be looking forward to it. I don’t blame them. You’re great!”

“How would he know that? He wasn’t here, or at least he wasn’t at Dan’s when I sang before. Which brings up another point, why am I suddenly singing in the show? They don’t have singers at Fangtasia. There are dancers, but not live performers. How are they going to explain it? More than that, why in the world would they re-write a scene to add me? That obviously was not in the script before. They told me it was changed.”

“Well, I think it’s awesome! Does it really matter why or how? I mean, you’re going to do it and I personally can’t wait!”

The buzzer chimed and we went into the kitchen. I pulled out the place settings and poured our drinks while JP retrieved the casserole from the oven. Once we had our plates full we returned to the table to sit down and eat.

“Something else keeps bothering me, too. Why wasn’t anyone at the rehearsal? I didn’t even need to audition. Think about it, even if someone told the director that I was able to sing, don’t you think he would at least want to hear it for himself before he added it to his show?” I asked.

“Have you thought about what you plan to sing after the filming tonight? I can help you come up with some ideas. I know my mind is churning with what I’ll be requesting. After all, you have all night. I suppose that will leave plenty of time for any and all songs that people want to hear,” he said completely glossing over the barrage of questions I had asked.

“None of this bothers you, does it? You aren’t even curious about any of it?”

“No. I’m not and you shouldn’t be either. You’re going to be singing on television! This is much bigger than just being in the background as a body in the crowd. I’m excited! You should take your own advice and just enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. Isn’t that what you said? Now it’s so much more than we ever thought!”

“I guess.”

“You’re crazy! This is amazing! Listen, take a nap after we eat. I’ll clean up everything, and then I’ll pick out something for you to wear later tonight. You’re probably just overloaded from the day you’ve had so far and you’ll feel better when you wake up.”

Unfortunately, like Dan, he didn’t see the bigger picture, and it was frustrating to be the only one who seemed to care that someone else was trying to take control of my life, or at least my free time. We ate quietly, both of us in our own worlds.  When we were finished, I did go to my room to lie down. I just hoped he was right and I would see things differently after I had rested.

~~~

We went through the same routine as the previous night when we arrived at the school, the difference being that this time Maria-Star helped me dress in a room separate from everyone else and oversaw the application of my makeup. I wasn’t sure why she was taking such a vested interest this night, but I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. She had a great eye. Yet again, like that morning, she was very personable and we made small talk while I dressed. She had chosen a short strapless dress made up of a black sequined corset that hooked up the front with red stripes running down the sides attached to a red over black tulle skirt flaring out at the hips. There were black and silver circles above the breasts and a red satin bow in the center. High-heeled black peep toe shoes completed the look.

The cut of the dress at the top gave leave for my hair to be swept up leaving my neck exposed, appropriate for a vampire’s appetizer. If only! The style hung in loose twists that wrapped around and underneath the remnant of a braid falling open and tucked under all around the base of my hairline. My lips were accentuated with shiny red rainbow lip gloss giving a wet look, and my eyes were highlighted with smoky shadow.  I felt like I was ready to go to a sexy adult prom.

Once we were readied we met in the main hall again for inspection. I entered from my dressing space with Maria-Star and all eyes fell to me immediately. A day or two ago I would have felt self-conscious, but not tonight. Dressed as I was, I felt beautiful, sexy, and like the character I was portraying, even if I didn’t know who she was yet.

There were no whispers behind my back tonight and no one was giving me the sympathetic pity smiles. Since Maria-Star had prepped my ensemble, she passed over me while looking at the others. JP was again dressed in the same outfit he had worn the night before as were the other extras from what I could see. I hadn’t paid much attention to them when we were filming previously having been so wrapped up in my personal drama. His eyes were as wide as saucers as he took me in with a wide smile on his face. I gave him my best sexy pout, which caused him to snicker quietly.

After inspection, we were led out of the building and across the parking lot back to ‘Fangtasia’ where we entered right away instead of waiting in a line outside. It appeared the filming would all be taking place inside. We were ushered into the main Fangtasia side of the tavern where Alcee was waiting and began placing the extras around the room. JP gave my hand a quick squeeze while he passed me on his way to his table by the bar and whispered a quick ‘break a leg’ which I replied in kind.

Alcee told me I would be brought in by a visiting ‘monarch’ and going to the platform would flow naturally in the scene. He then directed me to wait out of the sight of the camera near the entrance. We had about fifteen minutes before filming would begin and I could relax until then. I informed him that I would need to warm up my voice before singing anything and he replied that they would cut briefly so I could do that on the platform before I performed.

Since we hadn’t rehearsed anything, I knew my blocking wasn’t worked out previously so it appeared it would be adlibbed in the moment. I wondered again briefly what my role was, but decided to simply concentrate on the music in my head that I would be singing later. If I was part of the monarch’s retinue then I would follow their lead and stay in character. I was nervous and excited at the same time, but not knowing what was about to happen was somewhat nerve-wracking.

Pam arrived and took her place by the bar greeting JP with a brief hug. She made no showing that she noticed me, so I assumed she hadn’t. Oh goodie! This should be fun! They were chatting when the director entered.

I was watching JP’s interactions so intently that it startled me when I felt someone come up behind me and tap me on the shoulder. I jumped and turned around quickly to find Lafayette, Tara, and Sookie standing behind me smiling.

“Hey Cricket! Ooh gurl, you looks fine! Yous ready to show off what ya got?” Lafayette asked me bumping me with his hip.

“As I’ll ever be, I suppose,” I said, smiling. “I still have no idea what I’m supposed to be doing.”

“Don’t worry, hon, it will be easy peasy,” Sookie said and gave me a half hug. “We’ve been talking about you all day. We’re real excited to hear ya tonight during the filming and again after. Hearing you were put in a new scene, and then that you’re singing for us later was like arriving at a surprise party! We’re real proud,” she laughed.

“So, you all knew all day? I have to say, this is certainly a crazy way to do things from my experience on stage,” I said, my nervousness coming through my voice.

“You have nothing to be nervous about. They’re gonna do their thang and you just follow with whatever comes natural to you,” Tara added.

“We’s real excited for ya! You’s part a the family now,” Lafayette said.

“I think that might be the best compliment anyone has ever given me,” I blushed with a wide smile.

“OK, sweetie, I think they’re about to start. Get on your serious face, remember to relax, and have fun! Break a leg!” Sookie said. With that the three of them hugged me in turn and walked over to sit at one of the tables on the side of the tavern still recognizable as Dan’s that had a clear view of the set.

I drew my attention back to ‘Fangtasia’ to see Pam had taken a place standing next to the bar when a small red-haired man walked up beside me.

“Good evening, my dear, I am Russell,” he said in a very charming Southern accent.

“Edgington?” I asked. He looked taken aback for an instant before he recovered with a warm smile.

“The one and only, I see my reputation precedes me…and you are?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m Cricket,” I said, remembering my manners and reached out my hand.

Instead of taking it, he gave a short bow.

“It’s wonderful to meet you. You look simply divine, my dear. I hear you are part of my entourage this evening.”

“I’ve just been told that myself, though not in so many words. So, do you have any advice for me? I haven’t been given much to go on.”

He looked at me oddly, reminding me of how Sookie, Bill, and Eric had looked at me the other night, and then smiled again.

“Don’t you worry your pretty head about a thing. We’re going to have lots of fun. Just follow my lead,” he smiled sincerely and I relaxed.

Once the extras were all in place, ‘places’ was called and the clapper girl announced the scene.

“Action!” the director called.

~~~

Pam immediately started pacing, watching the door to the back room where Eric had disappeared the night before. She stopped in place, pulled out her phone, and began texting. A moment later, the woman who had accompanied Eric came through the door followed by him.

Just as the night before, his entrance commanded the space. I was riveted watching him. Despite the fact that I should have been paying attention to what I was doing, in that instant, all the memories of my dream came flooding back into my head overloading my mind and overtaking my body, which apparently was reacting to the thought of his hands on me. I had a flash of him in my living room kissing up and down my neck. I could feel myself blushing from my toes to the top of my head causing a bit of moisture in places that should not be moist in a room full of people.

“Oh, my my…” said Russell from my right side.

“Wh..what?” I broke out of my spell to look at him.

“My dear, you need to cool off a little, you’re as red as a billy goat’s ass in a pepper patch,” he chuckled and winked at me.

I wasn’t sure about that vernacular, but I knew it was true. The room had suddenly become extremely hot and I knew he was right that I needed to get some control over myself and calm down before I entered that room. I certainly did not want to look like a goat’s ass or any other kind for my big debut.

Pam rushed over to Eric and started talking animatedly, gesturing toward the entryway where we were. Eric looked over at the door, put his hands on Pam’s shoulders, kissed the top of her head, and calmly walked to his throne, taking a seat without a care in the world. Shortly after that, Russell told me to walk ten to fifteen steps behind him as we entered the room. Save for the fact that he was several inches shorter than me, I was hidden behind him in the background of the room and shadows, and more than likely not immediately recognizable with my hair up and my head down. Since Pam still had not acknowledged my presence as she typically did with disdain or any other reaction, I assumed she was only focused on him and the scene taking place.

To say I was nervous was an understatement. Focus! Focus! Focus! I repeated that mantra in my head over and over, but all I could focus on were those eyes and those hands. Oh My God those hands! Even though I was looking at the ground, they were burned into my head. I couldn’t see or think of anything else. I knew what those hands could do or rather my infinite imagination knew, but it felt just the same as if he had really touched me in the early hours of the morning. I wanted to step on that dais, sit on his lap, and tell him we should pick up where we left off.

Dream dumbass! Just a dream! He is not having the same moment or thoughts you are having because he didn’t have the fucking dream!

I sneaked a look at JP under the guise of taking in my surroundings ‘for the first time’ and he even mouthed the words, ‘just a dream’. I nodded imperceptibly and maintained my composure, barely.

~~~

I was sure I had missed much of the dialogue between the characters while I was completely submersed in my own microcosm and paying no attention to what was happening. Apparently, however, my internal musings had only lasted seconds and I caught up quickly after a few long, slow breaths. I assumed it read on camera that I was a nervous human in a room full of vampires as a pet of the King of Mississippi or something along those lines. In any case, I could tell that my blushing had subsided and I no longer felt like an over-ripened strawberry ready to fall off the runner.

I saw Pam bow to one knee briefly from the corner of my eye and I assumed Eric had done something similar, though I couldn’t imagine him actually bowing to anyone.

“Majesty, welcome to Fangtasia,” she said.

“Why my little buttercup, is that any way to greet an old friend?” He stepped forward and took her hand to kiss the back of it as he helped her to stand upright again. Eric stood as well, towering over the room.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of your company this evening, Your Majesty?” asked Eric stiffly stepping down from the platform.

There was a very tense moment that was thick in the air as they stared each other down. Everyone in the room appeared anxious and unsure of what would happen next. Eric stepped down to the floor to come face to face with Russell, looming over the smaller man. He looked at Pam and then back to Russell.

“Buttercup? I see you have finally decided that you prefer women and have come to charm my progeny. You can have her for a dime,” Eric said smirking.

“Jealousy is an ugly color on you, Eric. She told me you had realized your true desires and said if I tossed her a nickel, I could have first crack at those fabulous cheeks. I admit I was skeptical until now,” Russell retorted.

The two men stood looking at each other for a moment, and then suddenly burst into laughter. Eric grabbed Russell’s arm above the elbow and pulled him in for a brief one-arm ‘man hug’.

“Let go of me, you uncouth giant before I blemish that pretty face of yours! You know how I hate to be man-handled unless you plan to finish what you’ve started.”

“My friend, it has been too long!” Eric said, stepping back.

“Indeed it has, but you forget I am royalty and a gentleman,” Russell replied, repairing his now mussed coiffure.

“Ah yes, your pomposity knows no bounds,” Eric chuckled, “Shall we sit? You must have come for a reason. Is there trouble in Mississippi? Do you need my assistance?”

“No, no, nothing of the sort.”

“Then you have come to reminisce? It is a far journey when you could have phoned and informed me of your visit. I would have prepared something special for you,” Eric said cordially.

“I bring good tidings and an invitation,” Russell replied with a flourish.

“Yes? What are we celebrating, Your Grace?”

“Why I am planning a masquerade ball and your attendance is simply a must. Everyone who is anyone will be there!”

“You must be joking. You know I have no intention of leaving the state for a party, Russell. I have attended your festivities and they always end in debauchery. I love a good orgy as much as the next vampire, but I am afraid I must decline. I have far too many obligations for such frivolity. Nevertheless, I will send someone in my stead, perhaps Pam?”

Pam perked up at his words. Obviously, the thought of taking time away from Louisiana to attend an elegant event on her own without her Maker as chaperone sounded quite desirable, even if the majority of those in attendance would be of the male persuasion preferring the company of men to boot. Russell’s infrequent gatherings always did, indeed, end in debauchery.

“I thought that might be your response since I have been unable to get you to leave this Godforsaken backwater state for decades. Honestly, what do you see in this place? However, in light of your expected refusal, I have brought a gift to entice your acceptance to my soiree.”

“Though I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Russell, I have no need of a new trinket from your collection of the ‘unusual’.”

“I beg to differ, Viking, you will very much indeed enjoy this trinket. Come, my dear flower,” Russell cooed, turning to me and stretching out his hand.

That was my cue and I stepped forward into the light, raising my head to my full height of six feet in my four inch heels. The look on Pam’s face was priceless as I came closer and she recognized who she was seeing. It was indecipherable, but her eyes said so much of her feelings at seeing me in a role that she couldn’t rebuke. It seemed that I was not the only one surprised by my sudden ‘promotion’ in the show.

~~~

Aurelia Gliwiski as Chelsea ‘Cricket’ Kerrigan

Alexander Skarsgård as Eric Northman

Sean Hayes as JP

Nelsan Ellis as Lafayette

Salma Hayek as Maria-Star

Kristin Bauer van Straten as Pam Ravenscroft

Greyson Holt as Warren

Ewan McGregor as Russell Edgington

Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse

Rutina Wesley as Tara

Vincent D’Onofrio as Dan

Taye Diggs as Alcee

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 A/N: Thank you to Gyllene for creating my beautiful banner for this story! It’s stunning! Thank you to all of you who are reading this! It means the world to me! Last, but certainly not least, a huge thank you to MsBuffy for editing this chapter. I don’t know what I’d do it without her. Please leave a review and let me know what you thought.  🙂  Thanks for reading!