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!
