Howdy, Neighbor (Open, Tag: Dru)

[Mae LeVaque]

A thousand words could not describe the fluttering inside Mae as she glided her way to the crypt. Only one had such a pull one her, only one made this dreary routine existence full of fun and play. Drusilla. The name brought shivers down Mae's spine, oh how lovely it would be to see her again.

In her hands she bore a gift, one that she knew Drusilla would appreciate. The infant girl squirmed and cooed in Mae's arms, reaching for her dark ebony locks to give a tight pull, nuzzling in it's softness, suckling on the ends. Mae couldn't help but smile, adjusting the baby's swaddling cloth, perfect pink was the only color Mae thought was suiting for the child. Her fingers lightly trailed the dimples on the baby's chubby face, giggling playfully.

"We are going to see Auntie Drusilla now." She smiled as she stopped in front of the crypt door. "She will love you, I promise. She will want to eat you right up!" Her tone was so jovial, slowly shaking her long loose black curls as they brushed against the baby's face so gently. The infant let out a loud laugh, pressing her lips together and making raspberry noises. "Shh darling, you'll ruin the surprise!" She whispered ever so softly.

Her hand pressed against the door of the crypt and slowly opened it. her soft blue chiffon slippers stepped down on the cold cement step, as her shimmer taffeta dress trailed behind her. The candle lights lit up the room in an enchanting glow, "Knock, knock." Mae called out as she slid through the room.

Her eyes landed on the table and chairs, sliding herself to take a seat. "Drusilla.. come out, come out where ever you are..." She taunted with merriment.

[Drusilla]

"Such a beautiful night. So many stars, all of them singing." Slippered feet, slip slip slipping silently along the dew covered grass. Miss Edith dangled by one arm in my grasp, half forgotten, though I spoke to her just the same. She could hear me. She could hear the stars. My other hand, bent at the wrist, with my fingers dancing, playing out the tune in my head.

I stopped all of the sudden. Standing still and listening. It wasn't the stars now. It was whispers, and a vision. Falling to my knees, Miss Edith hit the ground as I raised both hands to my forehead. "Oooh. I see her. All cracked and whole. Pretty Mae. With a present. But today's not the King's birthday." My eyes opened, spying Miss Edith laying in the dirt, her dress soiled.

I narrowed my gaze on her. "Bad bad Miss Edith. You've gone and ruined your fine dress. And when your Auntie Mae has been kind enough to visit." I picked up the naughty child and brushed her dress before cradling her in the crook of my arm for her scolding. Pointing a single finger at her beaded eyes, I frowned. "Shame on you Miss Edith. You've made me very cross. You shall have no cakes today."

I heard her then, finding myself in front of my crypt. "Sweet Mae. What a dear you are." Stepping over the threshold, the door creaked shut behind me. I smiled to Mae as I propped Miss Edith facing the wall on one of the tombs. "I've missed you, luv. Saw you coming I did. With our sweet, sweet little lamb." I cooed to the child, leaning over the baby girl and stroking her plump cheek gently with the back of my hand. I stood, licked my finger, head cocked as I looked from the little lamb to Mae. "Shall with play with her a bit first? Get a good wiggle, a good giggle, before the crying starts?"

[Mae LeVaque]

She looked up at the door as Drusilla glided in with only the grace those of Mae and Dru's class had. Mae's eyes lit up with joyous delight as she rose to her feet slowly, such a lovely creature Drusilla was. She had met many beautiful creatures in her time, but none compared to this goddess. That is exactly what Drusilla was, a dark goddess. To have her feelings reciprocated but a being that marvelous, made Mae's head swim and her body swoon.

Drusilla approached Mae and the babe, to greet them. Drusilla crooned over the infant and smiled sweetly when she realized Drusilla was pleased with the offering. "She is yours. Whatever you wish." She said to Drusilla, as she removed a hand from the babe and took Dru's hand, carefully and gently placing the babe in the other vampire's arms.

"Her name is Bethany. It's that lovely?" She asked Drusilla as she moved around the woman to peer at the infant behind Drusilla and placed a hand on her shoulders. "I thought so. Bethany, it just rolls off the tongue. Much like her parents did." She chuckled with amusement.

[Drusilla]

Kindred, Mae was. The pixies told me, buzzing in my ear. But I could feel it. Her and I, two princesses in the dark, murderous. Deadly and beautiful. I stroked her hair. "Sweet Mae, bringing such gifts to share with Princess."

I tickled the small lamb's chin, her cheeks plump and flushed. "All for Princess?!? You shouldn't have. Don't fret, pet. We'll share." I patted Mae's hand, cradling the child to my breast. "Shhh, luv. Auntie Dru and Auntie Mae are going to take wonderful care of you. Yes. There'll be songs and games. Giggles, and squeals turning to screams." I laughed, tossing back my head and twirled once.

I leaned back against Mae. "Such a beautiful name. Little Bethany. She's ours now." I lifted the child. "You mum and dad have gone away. Now you're ours. Poor lamb." I grinned evilly, dragging the nail of my index finger along the child's exposed arm. She winced, wrinkling her tiny face. As I pressed down, the soft pop of her skin giving way to my sharp nail, she cried, a piercing shriek that echoed through the crypt. "There's a good lamb!"