There comes a time in the life of every vampire when we are forced to surrender to the will of another and only the power of another can make you see the truth. For me, that was the moment I understood that the pain of another vampire would help me get through my own pain. Pandora de Romanus had let down her guard, as I had, and let the laughter of children into her unbeating heart. Saralyn and Brelynn had been the absolute joy of her otherwise boring, repetitious life. Those girls had meant the world to her as Claudia had to me. When Saralyn was murdered, the entire event took me to a deep dark part of my own story that I had buried behind a curtain of hatred, bitterness, and ignorance.
Not all cars are the same! And when it comes to the cars that appeared in the last 100 years on Earth… no two are the same, even when they are. My passion for these machines started with the Model T. How fascinating it was to crank up the motor in one of those bad boys! Truly magical. Our collection of cars spans many models, many makes, and many years. Marius shares this passion right along with me… I guess that’s why he when Mary first returned to us, it was the first thing he did for her on Earth — bought her a car. And of course not just any car either. He wanted her to have the best, thus Mary drives around (when she can — she’s too famous to drive around alone now-a-days) in a shiny beautiful Ferrari 430 Convertible in White with Red Leather interior with her name carved in solid 24k gold plating on the driver’s side door. A real beauty!
And just like Marius spoiled Mary, for the brief time that Va’lis had been my protégo I had indulged him with a slick concept Cadillac Cien which he fell in love with. But since he was new to Earth, I told him he was not allowed to drive it solo. First he had to allow us to create him a full identity on Earth, then take driving classes, get a license, get insurance on the car, etc. etc. He agreed. Then the whole situation happened and Va’lis decided he was better off without me… which broke my heart. But whatever!
Never really gave Earth much thought in the past. Heard about it and visited only a few times, but actively thought about? Never. Still, what with my most recent thoughts… Now was as good a time as any to change that.
Generally speaking, I would never be left to just wander alone. “Irresponsible and Reckless” were two of the words that Marius seemed to favor. “Asshole and Bastard” of course, went to Cherry. “Prick, Psycho, and Child”, along with many many others naturally came from Merida. Which always amuses me, her calling me child. But I digress.
Earth. My new escape and ironically my prison in a sense. I was only allowed to leave Pandora’s compound with an escort. For the rest of the time, I would merely wander about it and read all the new books I could find. Merida had given me several new ones after our last encounter. I was quite enjoying one in particular. It is called “The Bible”. A fantasy book I think. It is filled with several different chapters about countless individuals who all seem to be influenced by a higher being. Extremely amusing to me.
Still, one can only read for so many hours before the mind wanders. It is that wandering of my mind that led me to what Pandora calls a “garage”. All her family members seem to have at least one or two of these “vehicles”. I admit, I have taken to them with a passion. The speed, the subtle control over such a device is such a rush. I was even given one of my very own, a Cadillac Cien it is called. Sleek, elegant and fast. Traits I admire. Pandora had been giving me lessons, but would never let me control it myself. Tonight though, well… She is not here.
The concert was a success. Mary was bigger and louder then she has ever been, my pride in her knows no bounds. I saw my Louie in the private booth with Marius and Pandora, and Mary’s student boy, Jace. I watched his reactions to this lifestyle I live. Nervous, and a bit uneasy, but he did not leave. I knew we would be alright. I had yet to tell him, Mary and I had a full spread in Rolling Stones Magazine coming up very soon. I plan to “come out” to the world then.
At the end of the concert Mary began playing her newest song, “Lost in Paradise.” She had written that to Marius, her love for him runs deep and it pains her. I made a rash decision, and pulled out an instrument I had not played in some years, I figured, hey! Akasha’s on another world, she can’t hear me here, can she? Who the fuck cares, I’m doing it! I played Nicki’s violin along side Mary’s exquisite piano playing. We made quite the pair. The music took over us, we made love to it on that stage and by god did we ever get off on it. I made that baby scream for Mary, her keys whined for me. We felt the crowd bend and cry out for more. I wanted more!
After weeks of putting off my concerts I finally managed to get Jace to come to with me to Earth. When we stepped through the portal in Paris his eyes were wide with shock. I envied him at that moment; my first reaction to this place wasn’t as eye opening as his was. He clung to my arm as I walked him to the hotel were we would stay, The Le Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris. He refused to leave my side which didn’t bother me one bit. I loved him deeply, and would give him the world if he asked for it. With Jace I now realized how Marius felt about me, I can’t fault him anymore.
Lestat and I had a concert that night scheduled in Paris. While I loved my dear Lestat’s homeland it was not my favorite place, no, that story will come later. I took Jace shopping for clothes suitable to travel with me and my rock star life. Mostly black, which for his depressed life suited him well. When we returned to our hotel suite I spiked his hair, and colored the tips white, he helped me paint my nails black and also my hair. I never appeared on stage in my normal golden locks, no, that was too lively for my music. Black hair, that was the Mary Drown the Earthlings knew and loved. I dressed in my favorite black jeans and black leather boots, and a simple black t-shirt that showed off my perfect belly. Small silver chains hung from my pants and my studded belt. I wore the red jewels Marius had given me. I was ready.
I think its time to return to the planet of my birth, to forsake all others and wander the streets that are so familiar to me. My heart so heavy with the events that have recently unfolded in Sosaria… so much death there… my soul feels tainted.
The love that Marius has clearly displayed for the young Mary Drown chips away at any happiness that I felt being so close to him. I could deal with Pandora, well… somewhat deal. But to add to that, it is just too much.
I tried to seek my own passions, focusing on my budding business that I will surely continue with all the designer friends that I have back on Earth. But even that couldn’t keep my despair hidden.
After Pandora and Marius made up and came back from their “vacation”, immediately Armand and I went on our own vacation back to Venice. I have to say, I was getting used to being waited upon and called Lady Romanus. Being a Baroness had its perks. I went to different functions with Armand, and even on Earth my higher calling was to children. Armand was more then happy to pour large sums of money into rebuilding and fixing orphanages in our city. Our city? Well I guess it’s rubbing off on me well.
Armand and I were in the middle of our adoption of Antonio. Our baby boy I had fallen in love with when I first visited the orphanage before we married. My papers read that I was from Scotland. Marius had acquired everything I needed to be a part of that world. So the adoption agency could dig into me all they want. I had my story down and even the accent I have grown fond of using around others. I sat in the orphanage with all the children, Antonio in my lap, reading to them. These poor children wanted the attention, wanted to be loved, and I was more then willing to give them a part of my day to give them that.
Life on Sosaria can be dull and quite boring. But for nineteen years I made due with that simple life. After Marius had turned me, I left for Earth, met Lestat, and made a wonderful career in music. After well over a decade of it, then returning home to rekindle my love affair with Marius, I find myself back in the big easy with Lestat. It has been quite a few years since he and I have traveled here together. I love the lights, I love the people, and I love the night life. Here we did not have to hide our affliction. Here we could walk openly with our fangs bared and skin paled. Mortals would pretend and act the part and none would be the wiser of us. Oh how I enjoyed it.
But I bet you are questioning the reason I am here now and not beside my dear beloved Marius? I shall tell you why. I met a man by the name of Rorik, in a quiet Jhelom tavern. We spoke of music, life, and a good time. I enjoyed the mortal man’s company greatly, so I had offered to see him again if he wished. One night we met again, and he helped me on a quest with my barding. I took him to the Bloody Brew, our Tavern in the Lair. We spoke for quite a few hours until Marius and his wife Pandora entered. I began to worry slightly, I knew Marius had become quite attached to me, and I could feel his anxiety about Rorik. But was it so wrong for me to make a new friend?
Why on earth is it that I am the one people come to when their lives fall into a hard spot? I was there when Marius lost his beloved daughter Saralyn. I was there for Pandora when she released her beloved Va’lis. I was the one to care for Marius’ lost childe, Mary. I brought her back to him; let them continue with what they had forgotten. And now here I sit in my pent house in New York with Marius, having a few drinks, well more then a few, that man can drink! Nearly all of my private stock is gone. Blasted ancients and their obsessive drinking problems. I listened to him pine over his beloved Wife and his Mistress, how they betrayed him, how he’s a failure with them..blah blah blah. The man is in hysterics.
He loves both women unconditionally. And so hurt at their betrayal; leave it to me to be the one to tell him, hey! It isn’t betrayal! Pandora rescued Mary from the darkness again, because he abandoned her there. AGAIN! I love Marius deeply, but he needs to sort out his anger problem. It took a week for me to make Marius calm down enough to return home. I left him in his house and found Mary, I explained to Pandora that he was calmed, and ready to be spoken to, and that I would take Mary back to earth and prepare more concerts, live her life more. Pandora readily agreed and let us leave that hour.
Wiping away a tear, the girl climbed upon her horse and said the magical words meant to transport her from one location to another. She really didn’t care which rune… she just had to get away. As luck would have it, she found herself looking eye to eye with one of the largest dragons she had ever laid eyes on and a smile crossed her face.
“Pandryl!!” she exclaimed as she threw her arms around his neck, lifting herself off of her trusty nightmare. Pandryl, her protector and best friend was always there when she was in need. She could not think of a time he had let her down since her Uncle Mystic had bestowed upon her one of his favorite beasts. And this time, true to fashion, he would not let her down either. Sensing her deep sadness, the dragon tried his best to comfort the girl and it was not long before she drifted off into a slumber under his close eye while murmuring the words “time” under her breath.
She dreamt of happier times, of growing up under the watchful eye of so many aunts and uncles and one could not forget her adoring parents. Her sister and she could do no wrong, and even when it seemed they were in trouble, they knew just how to get out of it. She remembered dancing in the rain for hours on end and the enormous joy she received from taming her first animal. She also remembered the way his eyes locked with hers the moment she gave herself to him fully.
