Wednesday March 12th 2059 - 11:48 AM
"Do you finally see why the code exists? Did you see how traumatizing that was for poor Hope?"
Elsa listened to yet another rebuke from Ashley and continued to take it. She was both angry and crushed emotionally at what she had just seen. Never in her wildest imagination had she thought Hope would fail that test. She still didn't understand why, Hope loved Gerold deeply. They were perfect together, why on earth did Ashley think otherwise. She wanted to argue the point but Ashley had other plans. Elsa said what she had to, for the fifth time, and saw that Ashley wasn't pleased still. She bitterly bit back at Ashley, tired of playing by the rules.
"Look I don't understand what happened, she loves him! I know she does, what on earth would make you think she doesn't? Why would you stand between them?"
She heard Ashley sigh and she moved out from behind the desk and sat in the chair next to her. Ashley wasn't her favorite Aqua, never had been. She was tougher than the others, rougher with females especially. She was soft on the guys, why was anyone's guess. Ashley and Elsa had been going hammer and tongs for years. Right up until she had walked out of town to go to college. Ashley cut into her thoughts with a stern look.
"Because it's not just about feelings Elsa. She isn't fit to be a vampire, period. And you know what that means. I have already sent a text to Nancy, likely as not by the time you see her she won't remember you anymore. It's how it has to be child."
Elsa was furious, they were going to wipe her memories of her and Gerold. Nancy one of the eldest Aqua would use her abilities to put in some other memory in their place. Elsa had long since learned to live alone with only the minimal amount of contact with her family. Part of that was possible because of Hope's friendship. It was Elsa's lifeline and now it would be severed. The idea that Elsa would go on without her best friend… it was simply unthinkable. No, Elsa wasn't going to just sit around while they destroyed her life and Gerold's. Gerold would never forgive her for ruining his life. She had to fight, and fight she would.
"Well, we will see about that!"
Elsa stormed out as fast as she could, less she be thrown into the link and detained. She got as far as the front door when she saw her mother standing there. Not Nancy whom she lovingly thought of as her mother, but her birth mother…. Kate. She looked at Elsa firmly and blocked the door. She could have, and most likely wanted, to complain about her daughter not coming to see her. Elsa hadn't seen her birth mother in nearly 4 years now.
The two looked at each other but said nothing. Elsa was emotional, she was going to lose her best friend. And Gerold was losing the woman he loved. Hope would forget them, and Elsa would be the cause of it all. She tried to keep her pride, and control of her emotions. But her strength failed and she burst into tears. At seeing that, Kate melted and embraced her.
"I know…It's not fair. I am so sorry Elsa, really I am."
Up to this point Elsa had been working so hard not to come here, less she never leave. The call to be one with her people, to see her mother and brothers and sisters. To feel at home again, and for that matter to be in her mother's arms again. It was just too much and she let herself go. She had missed all of them dreadfully, even though she was doing exactly as she wished. Even if it wasn't forever, she needed to know she was loved. Needed to know it was going to be ok. It didn't change her desire for a life on the outside, but it also didn't change what she needed.
"What is Gerold going to think when he comes home mom? He… is going to lose her. What will he say to me?"
Elsa felt the warm hand of a woman on her back. It was probably dear Agatha. They had gone to school together, played together and learned together. She knew how happy Agatha made her brother. Loved how completed Alex was by that union. She had thought she had found someone for Gerold, someone who could make him as happy as Alex was. Gerold deserved that, she knew how alone he was. She knew it all too well herself. That moment when Gerold told her that he loved Hope and wished to marry her. And now this….
"It's not your fault, but we have to abide by what's best. Gerold will understand in time. Your both so young, Gerold will find someone when its right. And so you will Elsa, you won't always be alone I promise."
Locke Residence, Medford
Wednesday March 12th 2059 - 11:59 AM
Nancy had been welcoming to her home. Encouraging her and making it clear she was very welcome to be here. At first it was so unnatural, hearing a voice she knew well. That voice she had always pictured belonging to a sweet old woman. And clearly from her actions she was certainly sweet. But she wasn't old, and she looked nothing like what she pictured. Gerold's mother was beautiful, young and had such an amazing presence. This was no empty-headed beauty. Nancy was regal, like what you would picture a queen or princess would be like.
The other two women who were here now had been talking to her, helping her to settle down. All three women had been so kind. Hope wasn't worried about what they were. Seeing as how they knew what she was talking about, Hope knew they were all vampires. Honestly at this point Hope was just over it, it just didn't matter. If they wanted to harm her they would, and there as was nothing Hope could do about it. By this point Hope had long been properly introduced. She was still amazed by the company she was with.
Hanna was the stunningly beautiful daughter of Nancy. She was only the half-sister of Gerold. Hanna was possibly the most beautiful woman she had ever met. Like Elsa her hair was perfect, and her personality was adorable. Hanna could easily have gone into modeling and been famous. The other woman was Hanna's oldest daughter Amy. This vampire showed that not all women who became vampires were models. Amy dressed as common as any woman could. It made Hope wonder why Amy would look so much more common, so much like Hope. As for Nancy, well she had stepped away for a bit while the two of them were comforting her. A job Hanna was trying hard at doing.
"I am sure you didn't fail sweety, the fact you feel this way proves who you are. Don't worry about it, any moment Mom will come back and tell you it's a big misunderstanding."
Hope looked up at Hanna who was being sweet. Both women looked the same age, and also the same age as Nancy. But if Amy was Hanna's daughter, and Hanna was Nancy's, then that made Nancy a grandmother at least. Possibly more from what Ashley had hinted at. Yet all three women looked the same age as Elsa or Hope.
"Did you grow up with Elsa?"
It was a stupid question Hope knew the moment she asked it. Elsa was only 26, if Amy looked that age then Hanna had to be at least 50. Hanna smiled and said that she hadn't. Amy it turned out wasn't even Elsa's age.
"No sweety, both of us have babies older than you."
Hope wanted to think on anything other than losing Gerold, so she asked a question that wasn't polite. But again, she was long past that sort of social concern. Hanna and Amy both took it in stride.
"Well, I turn 81 this year, and my baby over there turns 52. As for mom I lose track, I know she is at least a thousand years old, but is it 1010 or 1015 this year Amy?"
Amy thought for a moment and said she thought it was 1017. Hope's eyes went wide, Nancy looked like she was 20 or 25. But Ashley had warned her some in the community were multiple centuries old.
"Do any of you ever age? You all look so amazing."
Hanna looked over at her daughter who smiled a knowing thing.
"Well, I don't age but I am a different kind of vampire Hope. I am an Emerald. Mom likes being in her twenties and I help her with that with my ability. But yes, without help all of age just like you do."
Hanna patted her knee and smiled broadly for her. When she spoke, she did so with a knowing sweetness.
"And don't worry Hope when you join us you will change too. You can be as lovely as you want to be. You cant change yourself as much as Amy does, but with her clans help you can stay young."
Amy then showed her a bit by changing in front of her from being young to middle aged and then back again. Hope was disappointed in herself at the stupidity of her only question.
"Does it hurt to do that?"
Both ladies laughed and explained a bit more about how being Aqua or Emerald felt. They were two different types of vampire, mother and daughter. Hope noticed how they spoke to her, not as an outsider but as a dear friend. Something she asked next about. Amy the far more normal of the two responded.
"Well Hope I know it's a lot to take in but we are a very close family. We have to be because of the power we have. And being Aqua, or just related to one, changes you. Aqua love family, and they cherish them more than any other vampire clan. Everyone is excited for you, and for Gerold. Especially his mother."
Hope saw Amy smile, really smile for the first time. She was different and perhaps it was because she was a different breed of vampire. But the one thing Hope knew right now, was she felt welcome. Then she thought about their ages again and marveled at how different they were. Hanna was an old woman, and Amy middle aged. Yet they looked so young.
"Doesn't it get confusing being like this? I mean if you live a really long time, wont all of you have kids the same age?"
Hanna smiled and shook her head yes as did Amy. Hanna was quick to explain that.
"Mom's last round of kids, which included your Gerold are a few years younger than my Maya or Amy's son Bill. They all grew up together. Some families have a dozen generations or more together, so yeah I suppose it can be confusing. But honestly honey for us, your age really doesn't matter. Its your place in the family that really makes a difference. I still see Amy as my baby, but in a lot of ways as the years go by she is more like a sister to me. She will always be my baby though."
Amy smiled for her momma something that stung Hope a bit. One of the reasons why a part of her had looked forward to meeting Nancy was to see if perhaps…just perhaps they would have a good relationship. Not everyone hated their in-laws a part of Hope wanted her mother-in-law to be a real mother for her. But that desire was a silly thing, something Hope didn't center on long.
"But why wouldn't you want to age a bit, I mean you would still be beautiful. But don't you feel a little strange looking the same age as Amy?"
Hanna laughed so hard it shook Hope a bit. What she asked wasn't that hilarious.
"Sweety just wait till you have lived for 40 or so years. Its not just about vanity, trust me. Knees, ankles, all of them start to go and just having a pain free day is like heaven. And don't get me started about all the things that don't work like they should when you are 50. All kinds of unpleasant things, no sweetheart, if you can have a 20 something body you get one."
Amy smiled and shook her head in agreement, Hope wondered when both women had changed and asked. Hanna responded with zeal.
"I got all the way to 51 before I changed. Amy beat me to it by a month I think. Oh, Hope I wish you could have seen me when I was where you are. Amy had to teach me everything, how to link, what our powers were…everything. Hope sweety you have an amazing adventure ahead of you… truly you do."
Hope smiled knowing she had already been denied. For some reason Hanna didn't want to believe it. Whatever the cause it didn't matter to Hope. She was still trying to wrap her head around Gerold and what the hell she was going to do later when she could think straight. Then she thought again about Nancy. She was over a thousand years old! God, just what was life like when she was young! How this world must be so different than the one she knew. Hope didn't say any of this she just continued to look bug eyed and swallowed. Nancy returned to the room with tea and joked with them.
"I overheard you talking about age...Unless you are at least a hundred then you are a child in my book. So as far as I am concerned I see all three of you as the same age. Are you feeling any better dear? Did these two help you while I was out? I hope so, that had to be so hard on you… you poor thing."
Instead of trying to lie about it she asked her what it was like to live that long. Nancy gave her a small smile and proceeded to sit next to her and took her left hand into hers. Hanna didn't move from her spot on her right side and Amy remained in the chair across from them.
"Having dear ones close to you helps make it much more enjoyable. I spent most of that time alone. I never had such wealth like I do now."
Nancy smiled looking up at Hanna first and then Amy. After that she handed Hope a cup of tea and encouraged her to drink.
"It will help calm you dear, you have had such a fright. It's not every day you have your world turned upside down."
Hope thought Nancy sounded like an old grandmother in how she spoke. Of course she was, an ancient one in fact. Yet to look at the four of them you would think them a bunch of friends gathering together. Hope saw that it was quiet now and since she had her courage return, she took a sip of the tea and asked what she didn't want to ask. What came next? Nancy sighed and looked over at the other two. Nancy put words to what Hope already knew. She had failed the test. Amy didn't react but Hanna did, she started to say something but thought better of it. Nancy smiled for her daughter and motioned for her to continue.
"It's ok, I would like to hear what you think. He is your brother too, you have a right to say what you feel."
Hanna looked at Hope with a pitiful glance and then back to her mother. Hope didn't want their sympathy but she didn't say anything. Her heart was crushed, the only thing she could think about was how foolish she had been. She loved a vampire, a real honest to goodness vampire. But the worst part wasn't the fact he was some sort of sci-fi version of one. But rather he had a thrall, someone he fed from for his own benefit. A part of Hope wanted to know more, to understand. But why, if he could own a thrall, then what possible excuse could she give for him? This was just what these people were, and she needed to remember that. Fleeing was clearly out, as her car was now in their possession, as was her keys. If she was going to go back to Omaha, it would only be at their pleasure.
"But why, everything we heard before was Hope was perfect for him? The last report we had was that Hope was doing great. What changed today, did Ashley say why she failed? Last year Ashley was practically ready to go up to Omaha and turn her on the spot."
Hope didn't let her emotions get to her face. Were they watching her before? The conversation went on between Hanna and Nancy and it didn't take long to confirm that indeed, they were. From the sounds of it they had been watching them from the moment they met. Did Elsa know, was all of this some sort of game? Worse, did Elsa target her for this. Was she only her friend because she wanted to recruit her to this clan? Was she intended to be some sort of vessel for her brother? She felt used just then, and she desperately wanted to go home.
"I should go over there, maybe there has been some sort of misunderstanding. We all know how Gerold feels, that boy loves her."
Nancy squeezed Hope's hand to get her attention. Hope who had been looking down trying to pretend she wasn't here, looked up.
"You want to know what comes next, I will tell you. But first are you ok? You just learned about us for the first time, and I know it has to sting to be evaluated like that. Do you want to talk about it? Its ok, all of us are friends here. We won't hurt you dear. Every woman here knows how hard this life is."
Nancy put a lot of love and tenderness into her voice which did wonders for the fear that had been building up into Hope. Still, she couldn't really trust them, nor did she feel safe.
"I just want things to go back to how they were. I thought I knew him, I thought I knew Elsa."
It was quiet and Hanna put her arm around her. It was tender but it didn't help. Hope needed to go, and she needed to put all of this behind her. She knew that, and there was no sense trying to talk more. She had been doing nothing but talking and asking questions for days. She had her answers, it was time to move on. Hope allowed her desire to flee feed her response.
"I thank you Hanna but I don't need you to talk to her, Ashley is right. This isn't for me, I am just a stupid girl who didn't see what was in front of me. Granted I don't normally fall for vampires."
Hope's attempt at humor fell very flat. Amy's neutral expression changed to one of concern on the joke. If anything, it made Amy feel sorry for her. Again, not what she intended.
"I am not cut out to be like this. I don't know how I got into this mess but if you let me go… I won't tell. I just want to forget about this."
It was quiet for a very long time. Nancy then in a quiet voice said what was to come next.
"In a moment I am going to touch your head Hope. You won't feel any pain, you are just going to sleep a very long and comfortable sleep. When you wake, you will be back in Omaha and you won't remember any of this. You won't remember Gerold, or Elsa, or any of us…. Ok?"
Hope looked now at Nancy, she wanted to see if this was just something Nancy said to make her feel better as she took her life, or if she was trustworthy. What she saw was sympathy and feeling, and in that, Hope put her trust. Such as it was….
"I don't want to forget him…I…."
Hanna gripped her hand tighter and Amy even moved from her chair a bit. The emotion that poured out of Hope wasn't what she wanted to do. But yielding that emotion emptied her heart and it made her feel hollow and empty. Both Hanna and Nancy were holding her hands gently now. It was Nancy however that was in charge, and ultimately her who rendered judgement.
"I am sure sweetheart; you can't help but want what you heart desires. Its no different for us when we love someone. But you cant join us, not with what Ashley saw. I wish it wasn't that way but it has to be ok? I promise you it wont hurt and that you are safe with me. It's going to be ok child."
There were no further words spoken as Nancy touched her. The room grew dark and she felt herself grow weightless. She wondered if this was how it felt to die? She felt a twinge of surprise that she hadn't fought more. But what could she do, what could she say to change this? Would she even want to?
As she passed from one state to the next she did not find the nothingness of death. Hope found something else. It was quiet at first, nearly imperceptible. But there was another presence in the darkness. For a very long time she didn't try to confirm this, but when sleep never came she called out to it asking if someone was there. But no one answered.