Post by jason on Aug 26, 2010, 5:49am
![[image]](http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx207/SheriffNorthman/headers/jasonheader1.png "[image]")
jasonSTACKHOUSE.
and i don't mean just with girls, i mean with everyone
it's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like chemistry
A warm, late summer breeze blew through the open truck windows as Jason drove down the road leading to Gran's house, the roar of his souped up engine almost drowned out by the rumbling in his stomach. It wasn't every night Sookie invited him over for a good ol' fashioned home cooked meal, but damn, did he wish it was. He had been looking forward to this one since she called him over a week earlier, demanding he pull himself away from his busy social calendar in order to have dinner with her and her new beau. Though he had grumbled a good deal about the addition to their usual party of two, he couldn't protest too much when Sookie was promising to deliver all her specialty dishes for the night, recipes that had been in their family for generations, and ones Jason couldn't get right if his very life depended on it.
Tapping his fingers against the steering wheel, Jason found himself wondering what this new fellow would be like. He was pretty damn sure he'd disapprove. No one was good enough for his sister. Sure, Sookie may have been a little weird what with her mind thingy, but she was a good girl who deserved a decent man who was going to treat her right. He had never been real fond of Vampire Bill, so he hadn't been at all broken hearted when Sookie had told him things were over between them. Actually, he had been damn relieved. Since she had started messing around with vampires, Sookie had been on the receiving end of some serious hurting repeatedly. She was always in a hospital or nursing some kind of injury from home. They was pretty sure they weren't any good for her, so whoever this new man was, he'd have to go a little easy on him. At least he wouldn't be dead, right?
It was tough to know whether or not Sookie was though. Lately, Jason hadn't seen his sister in Merlotte's and when he asked Sam about it, he had just been told Sookie was recovering from something or another and taking time off for it. It sounded a little fishy to him, but if something was really wrong, he figured she'd let him know. Just before he had left his house for their dinner, he had called to find out if she needed him to bring anything with him, but his sister had sounded less herself and more a zombie. He didn't know what that was all about. Were there zombies? Hell, after learning vampires existed in real life like they did in the movies, he doubted anything could be impossible. Maybe one day, people would find out pigs could fly. Why the fuck not?
Turning into the familiar driveway at great speeds and kicking up gravel as he sped down to the farmhouse, his eyes went a little wide at the sight of the car in front of his, illuminated by his headlights. Letting out a long whistle as he parked and hopped out of the truck cab carrying the case of beer he had decided to bring when Sookie had failed to tell him if she needed anything, he circled the flashy red Mercedes, wondering if he could convince Sookie's new guy to let him take it for a quick spin. Speaking of his sister, Jason glanced up from his circling of the car to see Sookie on the porch, looking at him and his truck as if she were a little disappointed. Or maybe angry? Who the hell could tell with women? Was she expecting someone else? How many people were coming to this dinner? She had insisted he couldn't bring Hoyt along for the dinner, but she invited other people? Women.
"Nice set of wheels," he explained with a tilt of his head towards the car before heading across the lawn to the porch, taking the steps two at a time to reach her. Holding up the case of beer as she seemed to snap out of her daze, he pressed forward while walking past her. "Got room in the fridge for these?" he asked, though he'd make room if there wasn't. Pausing in the living room, looking around for the new man, all he found was the unchanged room, looking exactly had it had when Gran had been alive, exactly as it had when he was just a kid really. "Damn Sook, this place is a time machine," he muttered while heading to the kitchen, not finding the guy there either. "Not a cool one like the DeLorean in Back to the Future either, like a big, ol' house-sized time machine," he continued as he swung the door to the fridge open, causing all the contents in the door to shake. Granted, he'd probably freak out if she changed much of anything, but it wouldn't hurt to get with the times a little either.
Ripping open the case of beer, he began shoving the bottles into every available nook and cranny of the appliance. "Dinner smells great," he called from the depths of the fridge as he shoved a couple bottles in the very back. "Good thing I brought my appetite. Spent all day ridin' the crews 'cause Catfish was ridin' me. We need to get as much done before colder months start comin' 'round and the ground hardens up, but no one is in too much of a hurry to do much of anything when it's so damn hot out," he explained, moving from his place in front of the fridge before slamming the door shut a little harder than what was required, one bottle of warm beer in hand. Uncapping it, he tossed the cap on the kitchen counter before taking a long swig from the bottle. "So is it ready?" he asked, more anxious for the food then for the grand introductions he was really there for. "And where's this guy at?" Pausing for a moment, Jason's mouth twisted into a frown. "Somethin' wrong, Sook?"
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 26, 2010, 7:24pm
![[image]](http://i38.tinypic.com/ebel21.png "[image]")
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, don't won't on too tight
Sookie felt lost. There really wasn't another word for it. Everything she'd thought she'd known since the moment Bill Compton walked into Merlotte's had been a lie. It wasn't something she could understand, and it wasn't something she could just accept. She hadn't been this wrong about a person since Rene, and it was just painful. She hadn't loved Rene though, hadn't let him into her heart, into her life, into her bed. She'd given Bill every part of her. She didn't think she'd ever made a bigger mistake. She'd just been so wrong about him, and she couldn't understand how she hadn't seen it. She hadn't even come close to suspecting anything like this. She'd trusted him with all her heart, and he'd been lying the whole time.
If Eric hadn't told her, she probably would've gone her whole life without knowing. He must've thought she was so pathetic for putting so much faith in Bill, only to be so wrong. She wondered if that was why he'd brought her home and left her there. She hadn't been able to tell him then that she'd wanted him to stay, that she would've given anything for him to just hold her. He'd tucked her in and left her there, though, and he'd gone so far away that she couldn't even feel him through their bond. She'd cried even harder then, especially when she thought of what Eric must have felt about her now, crying so hard over Bill's betrayal. She must've seemed completely naive, and she knew he hated it when she cried. Of course he'd bolted at the first available opportunity.
She'd felt so alone the rest of the week. She counted down the days until Monday, not wanting to call Eric and force him to deal with her before then. She told Sam she still wasn't feeling well, unable to even think about being in Merlotte's where she'd met Bill, where they'd saved each other, or at least she'd thought they had. She'd spent the days leading up to the dinner where Eric was supposed to meet Jason cooking and cleaning like a madwoman. The place was spotless, and she had more dishes than two humans could eat. When she'd realized it was way too much, she'd started trying to learn to cook with TrueBlood. She'd only heard rumors about it even being possible, but she'd successfully come up with a few things so at least Eric wouldn't just have to sit there awkwardly while she and Jason ate.
If Eric came at all. Sookie really, truly hoped he would, but she supposed she couldn't blame him if he didn't show. Last time she'd been around him, she'd cried for what seemed like forever on his floor, then all the way back to her house, then the whole time he'd tucked her in. She'd kept the blanket in her bed since he left, cuddling it at night since it reminded her of him. Thank goodness for Hundr. He kept her from feeling too lonely, and was excellent company in the kitchen. He'd been a wonderful companion the whole time, even if Eric would probably disapprove of letting him taste test all the dishes she made for her and Jason. At least he stayed clear of the True Blood. After a few sniffs, he made it clear he didn't approve. Sighing at the thought of how Eric would react, Sookie washed her hands and pulled off her apron, everything in place except for her guests.
Deciding to wait for them out on the porch, Sookie gave Hundr a treat before going to wait out in the warm night air. It was easy to get lost in her thoughts out there, but it wasn't long before she was drawn from them by the approach of a very noisy truck that could only be Jason's. She wished Eric had gotten there first. She wanted to talk to him, but it was nice to see Jason anyway. Forcing any negative thoughts from her mind, she forced a smile to her face, nodding as Jason complimented the car she was borrowing from Eric. Of course he'd like it. "Yeah, of course," she answered distractedly as he asked if she had room in the fridge for the beers. It'd be tight, but there was room.
Following him inside with only a glance at the road to check for Eric, she nodded without really listening as Jason rambled on about a time machine or something. It was hard to pay attention to him with so much else on her mind. Fidgeting with the table settings as Jason said that dinner smelled great, she knew it did. She'd made way too much food, so it was a good thing Jason could eat like a few men. "Sounds like you're working hard," she replied, getting the gist of what he was saying. "Yeah, it's all ready. We're just waiting for Eric. He should be here soon." She hoped he would be, anyway. Frowning as he asked if anything was wrong, she shook her head absently, relieved when Hundr came bounding into the room. "You haven't met my new puppy yet, have you Jason?" she asked, quickly handing the puppy off to her brother, knowing the energetic dog would distract him quickly. "This is Hundr."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 26, 2010, 9:17pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
![[image]](http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx207/SheriffNorthman/headers/ericheader3.png "[image]")
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
It was only a half hour past sunset and Eric had already accomplished a great deal for the evening. He was showered, dressed, and parked behind his desk of Fangtasia, the place he had practically been glued to since the night Gabrielle had informed her of her visit with Bill. Since telling Sookie of Bill's betrayal, Eric had focused on keeping himself busy, a task that wasn't at all difficult for a vampire Sheriff. Choosing to spend his nights in the solitude of his office, he didn't presently possess the temperament to be sitting out in the club, and though he was anxious to begin his own investigation into his Area's Investigator, Eric refused to put himself in Bon Temps for the time being. He couldn't and wouldn't put himself too near Sookie Stackhouse. He just didn't know where they stood.
He hadn't thought for a moment that telling Sookie about Bill's betrayal would go well, and it definitely hadn't. Eric had never seen a human cry as much as Sookie had, not even when begging for their life in the face of certain death, and he had never felt so much for it. Their bond had made Sookie's pain his own and her pain had left him nothing short of overwhelmed. He didn't remember the feelings Sookie was stirring up, they were difficult to accept and cope with. She was hurting more than he could understand, and it was all because of Bill. Eric had been angry, he had been furious, he had wanted revenge and Bill's blood on his hands, but the last thing he had ever expected to feel was jealous, and by the time he had returned Sookie to her home in Bon Temps, he had been. He was jealous that Bill still meant so much to Sookie. He was jealous that his betrayal could destroy her so completely. He was more jealous than a vampire such as him had been in a very long time and he hated it.
He didn't know what to do. It was a predicament Eric didn't like being in. Every fiber of his being demanded action, yet all he could do was sit on his hands and wait, wonder. He knew he needed to give Sookie space. He hadn't been able to help her when at her side at all, a fact that had been clear by her wordless sobbing to the degree that even Eric was numb from the raw emotion. Once he had been far enough from Sookie that her feelings were nothing more than a dull ache in the back of his mind, he had developed a determined resolve to keep busy and feel nothing, and for the most part, it had worked. Sure, he had snapped at anyone who entered his office and Pam had to continually follow him around rehiring everyone he had fired for looking at him the wrong way, but it had been successful enough.
But once again, he found himself not knowing what to do. Fangtasia was closed for the night, the few things he had needed to sign and take care of were done, and the only thing left to get his attention was the reminder on his desk calendar of his dinner plans in Bon Temps. All week long when going through his messages that had been left during the day, Eric had expected to see that Sookie had canceled the meeting, but it never came. He had even called Layla as soon as he had arrived at the closed club tonight to ask her if she had somehow missed writing that one down, but she assured him she hadn't. If she hadn't canceled, was he supposed to go? Did he even want to go? He wasn't sure he could handle Sookie bursting into tears all over again. The very idea had him wincing in his desk chair, but the truth was, he did want to go. With a sigh to himself, he stood from his desk and headed to the parking lot, getting behind the wheel of his Corvette.
If he felt her agony while on the road, he could always turn back. He reminded himself of that repeatedly as his Corvette sped past the other vehicles on the highway as if they were parked instead of driving the speed. The closer he drove to Bon Temps, the more content the stressed vampire became. Damn bond. Before long, he was stalled, his sports car idling in the middle of the road as he debated whether or not to make the turn into Sookie's driveway. Debating and weighing his options momentarily, Eric knew what he had to do. Eric was no coward, and he wanted Sookie Stackhouse. Turning into the driveway, he parked behind a large, obnoxious pickup that he could only assume belonged to her brother before sliding soundlessly from his Corvette and making his way up the front porch.
It probably would have been appropriate to knock, but Eric was never one to worry about being appropriate, and he was too curious as to whether or not his invitation had been rescinded to bother. Opening the screen door, Eric took a tentative step into her entryway, finding his passage unblocked. Smiling slightly, he could hear the sound of bottles being tossed about and the conversation between brother and sister. Perhaps the telepath hadn't been exaggerating when she spoke of her brother. He had to be... unique if he believed he was being ridden by a fish. Following in Hundr's trail as he ran to the kitchen, Eric leaned against the door frame, arms crossing over his chest as he looked at the back of Sookie's head, relieved she didn't seem to be crying... yet. "Am I late?" he asked as the pair focused on the puppy. "Hundr let me in."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by jason on Aug 26, 2010, 10:01pm
jasonSTACKHOUSE.
and i don't mean just with girls, i mean with everyone
it's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like chemistry
"Hell yeah I am," Jason agreed as Sookie said it sounded like he was working hard, but then he always did. He knew he wasn't the smartest guy around, but he was good at what he was good at, and he was damn good at his job. He loved it, though it wasn't what he really wanted to do for the rest of his life. "Speakin' of working, haven't seen you in Merlotte's lately," he continued, taking another swig from his bottle of warm beer. "You doing okay?" Jason knew a lot of upkeep went into a house as old as Gran's, and if Sook had taken a lot of time off to recover from whatever the hell Sam had been talking about, he didn't know how she'd be handling. Not that he could really volunteer to help, but he'd still check in.
"Eric," Jason repeated, trying to put a face with the name and failing. Sounded like a yuppie. "He from around here?" Bon Temps was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone else, but Jason made a point of keeping much closer track of the female population than the male. Looking to the floorboards as a sudden yapping rang through the house, he blinked in surprise as a small dog ran into the kitchen and right into Sookie's waiting arms. "When'd you get a dog?" he asked, always figuring Sookie for being a cat person after how she had looked after Tina. Blinking as she suddenly shoved the dog in his arms, he wrapped an arm around the dog to support it while trying to keep his face out of the line of fire from licks, and avoid getting any dog hair in his open beer.
"Well hey there... Hundr?" he half cooed, half questioned, his eyes looking up from the dog to his sister. "What kind of name is Hundr?" That shit just had to be made up. Before he could think about it too much, another voice was in the kitchen, and Jason turned his gaze to the man in the doorway. "This him?" he asked Sookie, his eyes looking appraisingly over the guy. Setting the dog on the floor, Jason stood to his full height, sizing up the somewhat familiar stranger critically. Pale skin? Check. After the sunset? Check. Abnormally quiet entrance? Check. Sookie actually into him? Check. Looking from the man to Sookie, he frowned slightly at his sister before looking back at the too tall guy. "You a vampire, Eric? I don't think Sook mentioned that to me. You got something to hide?" Maybe she had mentioned it. He didn't really pay a lot of attention all the time...
He grumbled as his stomach chose that particular moment to growl. Well, at least he wouldn't have to split everything Sookie had cooked up for the night three ways. Holding his unoccupied hand out, Jason took a swig of beer with his other. "Jason Stackhouse," he introduced. He wasn't pleased that Sookie was pairing herself up with another vampire, but he could point that out once he had a little food in his stomach. "Can we eat now, Sook? I'm starving." Turning back to the table, he slumped into a seat in one of the chairs around the small kitchen table, picking the seat in the middle so his sister wouldn't be too close to the vampire. "So how'd you two meet?" He probably didn't want to know and wouldn't like it, but if Sookie put food in front of him, he wouldn't be paying much attention to anything said anyway.
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 26, 2010, 10:37pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, don't hold on too tight
"That's good," Sookie commented absentmindedly, calming down a little as she listened to her brother ramble. It was something familiar, and that was oddly comforting. In fact, the more he chatted, the better she felt, at least until he brought up Merlotte's. "Oh, yeah, I'm doing okay," she answered cautiously, not really wanting to get into it. There was something she could pitch to him, though. "Actually, I'm thinking about a career change. There's lots of use for a telepath in the supernatural community. Everyone wants to hire one, and the money's a lot better. Better hours, too." Jason's opinion on it would be interesting, and even mentioning it to him seemed like somewhat a commitment to putting it in motion. "It'd make my life a lot easier."
Nodding as Jason repeated the name, she couldn't help but smile a little at it. "Not exactly," she answered with a quiet laugh as he asked if Eric was from around here, knowing it couldn't be farther from the truth. "He lives in Shreveport," she covered, since she wasn't entirely sure mentioning she was dating a Viking was necessary. She didn't want Jason judging Eric vetoer she got to know him. "The house has been too quiet," she explained as he asked when she'd gotten a dog, thinking it was better for Jason to know as little as possible about what kind of things she'd gotten into. Laughing at his reaction to Hundr's name, she shrugged, kissing the top of her puppy's head. "It's Old Norse for dog," she explained, turning as something else caught Jason's attention.
Absolutely lighting up as she spotted Eric, Sookie couldn't really help launching herself into his arms, wrapping her own tightly around his neck. "I'm so glad you came," she whispered just loud enough for him to hear, holding onto him for a moment longer before letting him go and smoothing out his shirt where she'd messed it up a little. "Not late at all," she assured him more loudly, unable to stop smiling now that he was actually here. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders to know he didn't absolutely hate her after all that. Turning back to Jason as he began interrogating Eric, Sookie rolled her eyes. "Gran raised you better than that, Jason Stackhouse. You be polite." Honestly, her brother...
Shaking her head in disbelief at Jason's manners, she pat Eric's shoulder twice before moving to the oven. "Of course. You two just go sit down. I've made plenty for everyone," she added with a wink to Eric, excited to show him what she'd made and see what he thought. Putting plenty of food on the table, nearly entirely Gran's recipes that she knew Jason would love. He'd be completely occupied, and she knew there was no better way for Eric to win Jason over than just to be present when he was eating this kind of food. Putting a few dishes in front of Jason, she brought a pitcher of carbonated blood over to Eric, as well as a glass. "You'll have to let me know what you think. I found some vampire-friendly recipes I tried for you tonight." It looked like soda, but it was supposed to be good.
Taking a bowl out of the microwave, she put the bisque in front of Eric, placing a kiss on his cheek before sitting down herself. Serving herself some of the food since Jason had already dug in, she decided she could answer Jason's question easily enough. "Eric owns Fangtasia, that bar in Shreveport you told me about. I did some business for them a while back, and we've kept in touch," she replied with a smile, honest enough that it was actually true but careful enough not to offend Jason's sense of what a good little sister would do. Honestly though, she wasn't sure he heard a word of what she said once he started eating. "I'm so excited you both came tonight. I've been looking forward to this."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 26, 2010, 11:46pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Eric hadn't known what to expect upon entering Sookie's home, but he certainly hadn't been prepared for this. His brows lifted as the telepath spun around to face him and though he had been expecting an emotional reaction, he hadn't thought it would be a happy one, but as she wrapped her arms around him, actually catching him off guard, Eric was nearly positive that was what she was. Managing to uncross his arms as she pressed to him, he wrapped them around her waist, his head turning to nuzzle briefly against her neck, inhaling the scent of her skin and hair, unsurprised that he had missed it. He couldn't understand the pull this girl had over him, but it was strong, and he didn't want to fight it again. He could tell she still wasn't herself, but he didn't expect her to be. At least, for now, she wanted him here.
"I'm pleased you are," he whispered back as she told him she was glad he came. Glancing down at his chest as she smoothed out his shirt, he offered her a lopsided smile. "Good. I had to stop in at the office. I thought perhaps you'd get started without me." Or rescind his invitation entirely. Even without having done so, he was surprised Sookie hadn't started her dinner without him. It wasn't as if he had any plans of eating with her and her brother, after all. Food got cold, something Eric was pretty certain humans didn't enjoy, and a bottle of TrueBlood warmed up the same regardless of when the vampire drinking it arrived. He wouldn't have been insulted if they had began without him.
Letting his arms fall to his side as Sookie turned around to face her brother, Eric's eyes traveled over the human clearly measuring him up. It was difficult not to chuckle. Looking between the siblings at the boy's questions and Sookie's response, Eric had no reason not to answer. "Yes, I am a vampire, and I have plenty to hide," he shrugged as his eyes darted down to the extended hand in front of him and his brow quirked upward. Eric liked Sookie, he was even willing to go through some of the more ridiculous 'romantic' procedures she desired, but he wasn't going to go shaking her brother's hand. "Doesn't everyone?" He was sure there was more than a few skeletons in this humans closet. He was much too confident and clearly had no sense of self preservation. That tended to spell trouble. "But what matters is I have nothing to hide from your sister."
Following Jason to the table, he almost chuckled as the boy took the center seat before Eric sank into one of the other vacant chairs. Watching as Sookie began unloading dish after dish of food, he could see the pride in her face as she offered the creations over to her brother, and he couldn't help but offer her a smile. He was surprised when she set a pitcher and a glass in front of him though, and his brow quirked upward as she explained it's presence. "Have you ever done this before?" he asked, the gesture surprising to him. He would have been content with a bottle of TrueBlood and really, he wouldn't have even required that. It meant a great deal to him that she had truly included him in her 'family dinner,' even if he was a little nervous about being her guinea pig. When vampires had any actual food... the results were not pretty.
Pouring the blood beverage into a glass, he sniffed it once before smiling in approval, only to be surprised as a bowl of blood joined his place setting. "You did not need to do all of this," he insisted. "But thank you." He meant that. Waiting for Sookie to serve herself before he sampled the drink, he nodded in approval. It sure made TrueBlood taste less like complete shit. "It's quite good," he stated in approval, silencing himself as her brother spoke between his sloppy bites and listening as Sookie answered his inquiry. It was careful, didn't reveal too much of either of their business, and made no mention of Bill. He approved. Taking a tentative bite of the bisque dish, it was equally a treat from the normal bottled blood he had come to expect and rely on and offered her a smile as she stated she'd been looking forward to the meal. "Do most meals for you involve this much food?" he asked curiously, wondering if he wasn't feeding her enough when the two of them went out. That wasn't what he really wanted to ask. He wanted to ask how she was and how they were, but he bit his tongue with her brother there slurping between them. "What I cannot eat smells pleasing and what I can is quite a treat," he complimented, lifting his gaze to meet her eyes. "I hope we were not trouble."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 27, 2010, 12:18am
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Smiling from ear to ear as Eric said he was pleased she was glad he came, Sookie couldn't even try to hide her happiness from him. She'd been so afraid, when she hadn't heard from him, that he didn't want anything to do with her. It would've been easy for him to be ashamed of her, but it meant the world to her that he was here like he said he'd be. "I wouldn't dream of it," she insisted as he said he thought they'd start without him. Jason would've loved that, but Sookie would never hear of it. "Besides, Jason just got here himself," she added so her brother wouldn't protest or something stupid like that. She was just so relieved to see him. She'd missed him so much more than she wanted to admit in the days they'd gone without seeing each other.
Watching Eric and Jason size each other up was nothing short of ridiculous. She loved her brother, but there was less than no point in getting all macho around Eric. He clearly won. That Jason even had to ask if Eric was a vampire was pretty silly. Smiling apologetically to Eric, she stifled a laugh at his answer. Eric would say something like that. Shaking her head as she continued to get the food ready and onto the table, she smiled as Eric said he had nothing to hide from her, lightly touching his arm on one of her trips to the table. "Eric's very good to me like that," she agreed before casting a glance at her brother. "So that'll be enough nosiness out of you." Eric didn't hide things from her, but that didn't mean he had to be interrogated by Jason.
Rolling her eyes as she saw that Jason had taken the seat in the middle, she pulled her own chair around so he wasn't in the center any more. Older brothers never really changed. Smiling as Eric asked her if she'd ever done this before, she shook her head. "I wanted to do something special," she explained with a smile. "I bought a whole cookbook. I followed the directions real carefully," she assured him, since she hadn't been able to taste it herself. Well, she could've, but who would want to? Still, she'd really liked being able to prepare something for him. She realized that Eric didn't need it, and that she could feed him in other ways later, but being able to cook for him was satisfying on some completely different level that she couldn't help but somehow be proud of.
"I wanted to," she assured Eric honestly as he said she didn't need to do all of this, knowing Gran would have approved of his manners and scolded Jason like there was no tomorrow for his digging into the food without saying anything or waiting for her. "Is it really?" she asked curiously as he said it was good, hoping he was telling the truth. She really wanted him to feel included in all of this, and she knew his opinion on True Blood. "Goodness, no," she answered with a shake of her head, looking at all the food. "Jason just eats a ton," she explained with a shrug, glancing over at her brother who was already well into his food. He really was proving her point. Besides, she'd needed things to do over the past few days, but she didn't want to bring that up right now. "No trouble at all," she smiled, reaching over to briefly take his hand. "I love entertaining for people I care about. Most of the recipes are Gran's," she explained, thinking it was pretty clear which ones Gran had thought up. "I'm just happy to share it with the two of you."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by jason on Aug 27, 2010, 1:02am
jasonSTACKHOUSE.
and i don't mean just with girls, i mean with everyone
it's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like chemistry
"Old Norse?" Jason repeated, his brow wrinkling up as he tried to figure out what in the hell his sister was talking about. Sookie had always been a little on the side of strange, but sometimes he just had no clue what she was going on about. Looking down at the puppy, he didn't seem so old to Jason. "What's Old Norse? And where'd you learn it?" He didn't remember that class back in high school, but then again, he didn't remember many of his classes from back then. "Shouldn't a dog get a real name?" he asked as he continued loading his plate full of food he had been too long without. Sookie wasn't quite the cook Gran had been, but she was damn close, and a world better than his usual TV dinners or fried Merlotte's food.
Ignoring Sookie's scolding for his manners, Jason rolled his eyes. He was doing what any decent brother would do. Sookie deserved herself a good man. He didn't even really know if a vampire counted as a man, let alone a good one, and this one seemed to think he had stuff to hide. "So Sook knows where you hide all the bodies then," he grumbled as the vampire insisted he didn't keep things from Sookie and Sookie seemed to make googly eyes over it. "That's just great." Looking over to his sister, Jason took a big bite out of a dinner roll, half still in his hand, half hanging from his mouth. "Don't go gettin' caught up in shit that's going to get you hurt again, Sook. You don't need more trouble than you find on your own," he concluded, stuffing the second half of the roll in his mouth. And Sookie managed to find plenty of trouble on her own with that mind thing of hers.
Eying the blood dishes Sookie was setting out, Jason made a face. "Ruin my appetite," he mumbled, just before shoving more food into his mouth. If he wasn't so hungry, maybe it actually would've. Now that he thought about, Vampire Bill had never had dinner with them. He had seen him drink those bottles of blood in Merlotte's, but he had never been around when Sookie had him over for dinner. Jason was kind of thankful for that. Vampire Bill always kind of made him feel like he needed to put on a tie. Plopping a second helping of potatoes on his plate, he looked over to his sister. "I'll take care of any left overs," he offered, or demanded, whichever applied. "Hoyt's upset he couldn't come. We can split 'em over lunch tomorrow so he won't pout next time he sees you at Merlotte's."
Looking back and forth between his sister and the vampire as Sookie explained how they had met, he paused mid-bite as she mentioned Fangtasia. The vampires he had seen at the club in Shreveport weren't Vampire Bill kind of vampires. They were scary, mean, vampire vampires. "You own Fangtasia?" he asked incredulously. "Sookie, you're not hanging around the vamp club, are you? That place ain't somewhere for you." Glancing back at Eric, he scooted his chair a little closer to Sookie's and hoped it was subtle. "But I thought it was kinda cool," he added before he pissed the vampire off. "Hey, when I was there, there was this really hot vampire. Pale, blonde, moody... she didn't really notice me, prolly 'cause I was there with Hoyt, but think you could hook me up?" Jason had heard all about vampires in the bedroom. No reason Sookie should have all the fun... though this Eric dude better not have been doing anything with his sister. Looking back to his sister, he tried to put some pieces in place. "Is this guy why you're thinking of leaving Merlotte's and using your mind thing? Are you thinking of working at Fangtasia?" Gran would be rolling over in her grave...
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 27, 2010, 2:06am
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Watching as Hundr came to settle on the floor right beside the table, Eric looked down at the dog and shook his head. Clearly in the week he had stayed as far from Bon Temps as possible, Sookie hadn't done much disciplining of the pup, which wasn't such a surprise when she seemed more prone to coddling him than actually turning him into the guard dog he was meant to be. Eric would have work to do. "It was a language spoken in Scandinavia many centuries ago," the Viking answered the boy, despite the question not really being directed at him. "It is no longer used, with the exception being those who have always used it." And he supposed a few others. With the exception of his youngest, most of the vampires he had created knew enough to communicate with him. He wasn't going to answer the boy's inquiry on whether or not the dog deserved a 'real' name, especially when, in Eric's opinion, Sookie's brother hadn't entirely earned one himself.
Giving a small smile to Sookie as she insisted her brother had been nosy enough, the male clearly didn't agree with his sarcastic comment about bodies. Taking a sip of the carbonated blood, the vampire let the smile remain etched on his features. "That implies that there are bodies to be discovered," he answered while returning the glass to the table. Jason was fortunate he was Sookie's brother. If a human dared to behave in such a way toward him in his club, he'd have already punted them across the room. "And that would be terribly sloppy of me, but if I ever decide to change my method of operation, you can trust she will be the first to know. One can never have enough accomplices out there," he added with a roll of his eyes. Let him chew on that since he was already accusing Eric of being as inattentive as past vampires in her life. "I intend on keeping your sister safe and as clear from my 'shit' as possible, but Sookie is quite capable of handling herself."
Taking another spoonful of the blood bisque Sookie had created, it was almost strange for Eric to be using utensils in order to eat, but his impeccable coordination kept him from being completely inept while dining. "It is very special," he insisted with a smile, finding it much easier to turn his attention towards her and away from her brother now that she had swung over to the other side of the table. "It doesn't taste amiss," he assured her. Different, yes, a little unnatural, perhaps, but not wrong. Usually, he could tell immediately if there was something wrong with what he attempted to drink, but he didn't feel such a way now. "It doesn't taste much like TrueBlood at all. It's quite... refreshing, a definite treat. I know a fa..." Stopping abruptly, he glanced from Sookie to her brother again. No speaking of fairies with an ignorant human in the room. "I have an associate who makes vampire consumable products such as this. She can be highly unpleasant, but if this is something that interests you, perhaps she could help. You already know her brother, Claude."
Glancing back to the boy as Sookie insisted all the food was because of her brother, while Eric was sure a 'ton' was a bit too generous an estimate, he could definitely see the male was some kind of human garbage disposal. "He seems to be thoroughly enjoying it," he murmured with a small smirk, seizing her hand momentarily off the table and bringing it to his lips to kiss. "My compliments to you and to your grandmother," he offered. "I will be sure to send more flowers in gratitude." He had contemplated bringing more with him tonight, but when he wasn't sure he was even still a guest for the evening and any stop he made might have kept him from completing the journey, he had decided on simply bringing himself.
Glancing back to the boy as he reacted so strongly to the mention of Fangtasia, Eric nodded his blond head once. "Yes, it is mine," he answered, somewhat amused by the tone of his voice. "Sookie is welcome and well protected within my club." Really, it was a much safer place than humans seemed to think. Eric wasn't interested in lawsuits, and when there were as many tourists as there were coming through nightly, he had to keep tight reins on things. Smirking as Jason insisted he had liked the club after noticeably moving away, Eric took another drink of the carbonated blood to conceal his amusement. Arching a brow as he inquired about a vampire, Eric glanced over at Sookie. Could Eric 'hook him up?' "Probably," he answered. Would he? That was another question entirely. "Pale, blonde, moody... you just described half the club's regular vampires, including myself. It sounds like you are speaking of Pam or Bianca," he offered, more amused with the human now than he had been. "Pam tends to prefer the company of women, but Bianca enjoys men." Looking Jason over, he had to keep himself from chuckling. She'd eat him alive. "Stop by the club and I will introduce you." Looking back over to Sookie as Jason questioned her on leaving Merlotte's, his brow arched in surprise. "You are considering leaving the Shi... bar you work at, lover?"
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 27, 2010, 2:42am
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Nodding as Jason repeated the name of the language she told him Hundr's name, Sookie shook her head at her brother. Really, he could be so slow sometimes. She was grateful when Eric answered, explaining more than she probably would have. "I didn't really learn it," she added, not wanting him to give her more credit than she'd earned. "Eric taught me that, though," she explained, flashing a smile at her vampire. "Hundr is his name," she told her brother with a shake of her head, laughing as the dog lifted his head, clearly recognizing his own name. "See? He's very smart," she complimented, putting one of the small pieces of meat in his bowl on the way to the table. "Eric's gonna train him to be a guard dog when he's old enough."
Eyes wide as Jason began talking about bodies, Sookie rubbed her forehead. "Jason Corbett Stackhouse, if you don't cut that out, I swear, you can just go home right now," she warned, completely serious. "I will not have you talking that way to Eric. Now, I invited you here tonight because I wanted you to meet the man in my life, but I will not have you embarrass me." Eric wasn't feeling very happy about it either, and she couldn't blame him. She hadn't brought him there to be accused of all sorts of things by her brother of all people. "And Eric's right, I'm perfectly capable of handling myself," she agreed with a nod, grateful he'd included that. Eric always gave her that sort of credit, and she truly appreciated not being underestimated or dismissed like most tended to do.
Smiling as Eric insisted that what she'd made for him was special, Sookie beamed at him, ignoring her brother's mumbled complains. "I made dessert as well. For everyone," she added, before Jason could ask about his own food. At the rate he was eating, she'd be surprised if he had any room. "That'd be real good of you, Jason," she agreed as he said he'd share the leftovers with Hoyt. "How's he doing?" she asked before looking to Eric. "Hoyt's the man Jessica dated for a while," she told him so he'd make the connection and not feel left out. "He and Jason have been friends since they were kids. He's a real good guy." At the rate Jason was going, there wouldn't be many leftovers though. "I'd love to learn how to make more," she told Eric as he said he knew someone who could make vampire edible foods. "Maybe I'll give Claude a call, see if he could set something up." If she caught him on the right day, maybe. Blushing as Eric kissed her hand, she smiled at the idea of him sending flowers to Gran. "She'd love that, I'm sure."
Rolling her eyes at Jason as he overreacted to the mention of Fangtasia, Sookie shook her head. "That's a little hypocritical when you're the one who told me about the club, Jason," she pointed out with a sigh. "I'm perfectly safe there, so yes, I visit Eric from time to time." It really wasn't as bad as she thought it'd be, to be fair to Eric. She just wouldn't be surprising him again so fast. Wincing a little at the idea of Jason being hooked up with Pam or Bianca, she couldn't imagine that going well. "Jason, you don't know the first thing about dating a vampire," she pointed out as politely as she could, something that was pretty obvious since he'd tried to shake Eric's hand upon meeting him. Sighing at Jason's wording of his question, she nodded, since he was partially right. "Eric gave me the idea, yes, but I'm not thinking of working at Fangtasia," she explained. Looking to Eric, she nodded, unable to help smiling. "I haven't been able to get your suggestion to try working as a telepath out of my head. It's been sounding better and better, actually. I was just telling Jason I'm thinking about it before you came by."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by jason on Aug 27, 2010, 3:51am
jasonSTACKHOUSE.
and i don't mean just with girls, i mean with everyone
it's chapstick, and chapped lips, and things like chemistry
Looking between Sookie and Eric as they explained where the dog's name came from, Jason didn't really get it. "Scandinavia, huh?" he asked, his head bobbing around like he knew what they were talking about. That was somewhere in the Middle East, right? "So you speak it? Like you've been around for centuries?" he asked the vampire. "Or just know the word dog?" Catching the puppy poking his head up at the mention of his name, Jason grumbled, stuffing another forkful of food into his mouth. Calling a dog "dog," even if it was in a different language, was still calling it dog. "Should be named Rover or Rex or Spike or something." Not that the little yellow ball of fur looked much like it deserved to be called Spike or Rex, but that wasn't the point. Taking a swig of beer and finishing off the bottle as Sookie insisted Eric was going to train it to be a guard dog, he snorted once, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. "Yeah, I bet that'll go well." Jason wouldn't be surprised if the vampire drained it.
Wincing as Sookie used his full name, Jason kicked his chair back, standing and walking over to the fridge to pull out one of the beers he had put there as she scolded him. "C'mon, Sook!" he demanded right back, twisting open the bottle and tossing the cap onto the cluttered counter with the first. "What do you think I'm trying to do? I'm trying to get to know him!" He only had her best interest at heart. "How much do you really know about this guy?" he asked as he plopped back down in the chair, acting as if the vampire in question wasn't only an arm's length away. "Soon as vampires showed up in Bon Temps, you were friendly without thinking 'bout how much there was to it. You were inviting them into Gran's house without knowin' what you were all letting in." And look how that turned out. He didn't need to say it aloud, he knew Sookie would hear it. Her friendliness with vampires along with a psycho serial killer he had considered a friend had cost them their Gran. "I don't have anything against vampires," he continued, looking to Eric briefly before looking to his sister. "I just want to keep you safe, Sook," he added more gently. She was tough, but tough only went so far.
Shoveling food into his mouth with even more vigor than before, Jason was committed to get as much down as he could, just in case Sookie followed through on her threat to kick him out of the house. Giving a grunt of approval as she mentioned dessert, he helped himself to another helping of the main course for the time being. Sometimes it was tempting to bring a girl home for more than just a night so he could have someone making him meals like this, but then he thought of how clingy they'd be, and he tossed the idea out the window. "Hoyt's Hoyt," he answered with a shrug. "You know how he is. He's gettin' by, dealing with his ma, gettin' over Jessica." Shrugging again, Hoyt was really bringing down Jason's game lately. Even the ugly friends of the girls Jason pursued were getting tired of his moping. "If you really are thinking 'bout leaving Merlotte's, maybe we'll have to stop by for lunch here now and then." Like whenever she'd let them.
"A little what?" Jason asked as Sookie seemed upset with his reaction to learning her new boyfriend owned vampire central in northern Louisiana. Shaking the word from his head, he could tell from her tone it wasn't a good thing. "Yeah, well, you're not me, Sook. I can take a place like that, but it's not right for you." Looking to the vampire in the room as he mentioned a couple names, he nodded his head. "Bianca, yeah. I think that's it," he agreed. He really didn't know, but it sounded like he had a better chance with her since he was sure no woman. "Thanks, Eric. I'll be by," he grinned, punching the vampire on the arm in gratitude before wincing slightly at how solid he was. Shaking out his hand underneath the table, he looked back to his sister. "Who said anything about datin' her, Sook?" That really wasn't what he had in mind. And while he was on favors... "I saw your Mercedes parked outside. Any chance I could give it a spin?"
Making a face as Eric called his sister "lover," he may have choked on the swig of beer he was taking at the title. He didn't want to think about Sookie being anyone's "lover," and he wondered if his sister would be upset if he took a swing at the guy for putting such a thought in his head. Coughing as she explained to the both of them, Jason wasn't too sure what he should think about Sookie wanting to make such a chance. "When you say "as a telepath" you're talking about your mind thing?" he asked, not real sure. It was a weird thing his sister did, it had made her the source of a lot teasing and fear, and Jason had kicked a lot of asses defending her. That didn't mean he understood what was wrong with her though, or why she thought she could leave Merlotte's because of it. "Is Sam treatin' you bad or something? Is it that bitch Arlene? You want me to have words with 'em?"
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 27, 2010, 4:58am
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Nodding once as the human boy attempted to impersonate a human bobble head doll, Eric briefly arched his eyebrow and looked to Sookie. It was obvious Jason was clueless, he didn't need to be a telepath to see that much, but at present, the Viking was trying to figure out if it was even possible the two humans he was surrounded by were even related. When Sookie had informed him her brother had visited Fangtasia, Eric had theorized that there had been nothing extraordinary about him to catch his attention, and now, he was confident that was no longer just a theory. "I speak it," he confirmed. "It was my first language, the language of my homeland, so yes, I have existed for centuries." Eric wondered if Jason even knew how many years were in a century. "And he is old enough now," he added, glancing to Sookie. Someone had to work on undoing what she had done or her guard dog would end up an oversize lap puppy. Looking down at the puppy ready for table scraps, he shook his head. "Your days of coddling are over."
It felt strangely voyeuristic to watch the siblings fighting as if he wasn't truly present in the room or was somehow oblivious to the exchange. Even if they had whispered back and forth, the conversation would have been clear to his ears from across the house. He offered Sookie a genuine smile as she attempted to defend him, but it was unnecessary to the Viking. He was not unaccustomed to the ignorance of the living. There was nothing her brother implied that he hadn't heard well over a thousand times before. Was he offended to have the human imply he was a murderer? No, he was a murderer. There was more blood on his hands than Jason Stackhouse could ever imagine, but he wasn't sloppy. He wouldn't endanger Sookie in such a way. That accusation was annoying. "Sookie has never hesitated to question me," Eric interrupted before taking another drink of blood. Even before they had been together, Sookie had been full of pointed questions. "And I answer what she asks." It could take a lifetime to know even a tenth of his own, but he'd continue answering her inquiries. He hadn't been hiding. He wasn't going to start.
"But I am not other vampires and I am especially not Bill Compton," he continued, turning the full force of his attention on the boy. With all that had happened in very recent history, he would not do well with that comparison, even if Jason never mentioned the vampire Sookie had 'let in.' "Your sister is of the utmost importance to me and I will stop at nothing to treat her the way she deserves to be treated. There is not a resource I possess that is not at her disposal, there is nothing I would not do to protect her. I do not assume you have any kind of unjust prejudice against vampires," he continued, more to assure Sookie than the boy. The last thing she needed was to worry about Eric ripping his head off or something of the sort. Really, in Eric's opinion, some of it was deserved. Bill had failed their family repeatedly. "But you and I share a common goal. I want nothing more than to keep her and what she holds dear safe. I would not be here tonight if I didn't."
Focusing on his own version of dinner as Sookie and her brother discussed some human Jessica had entertained herself with, Eric didn't have any clue who he was, but he nodded once as Sookie attempted to include him in the conversation, as if he'd be insulted not to partake. The act was so very... her. It brought a brief smile to his lips. Nodding as she decided to give the flaming fairy a call, better her than him. "Make sure he tells her it would be a favor to me," he added, after finishing off the bowl of blood. "She can be very..." His voice trailed off as he searched for the right word before settling on one. "Bitchy, but I financed her operation, so she owes me. If you can't reach him, let me know, and I will have my assistant set something up. She is close to the Cranes and is used to managing their unique temperaments."
Actually chuckling as the siblings went back and forth once again, it really was amusing and involved a lot less bloodshed and thrown footwear than when Pam and Bianca bickered. Nodding once as he insisted Bianca was the vampire in question, he tried to quiet his chuckling since Sookie looked far less into the idea than her brother. "You may be just her type. I will tell her all about you," he offered with a smirk, looking to his arm as the boy struck it, his eyebrow arching. This human was so strange. "That is not my car," he answered. Well, it was, sort of, but there was no point in arguing semantics with the idiot man child. "I arrived after you. I am the Corvette parked behind you, you'll have to ask Sookie about the other."
Really, Eric couldn't have been more pleased to hear Sookie was considering his suggestion so thoroughly. She didn't belong slinging beers to rednecks, not when she had such a powerful and valuable gift at her disposal. Just as he had said to her brother, he would do everything in his power to keep her safe, and that would afford her the opportunity to truly delve more deeply into the world of the Supernatural. Smiling at her, the very idea that she might no longer smell of that damn Sam Merlotte constantly was enough to leave the vampire wanting to rub himself all over her and celebrate. "I am pleased," he stated honestly, finding the whole thing reassuring on multiple levels. If she was still, now, considering doing this, Bill hadn't successfully scared her away from their world, nor had he scared her from using her gift. "If you choose to do this, you know I would help however you need." And he'd willingly give her her first contract as well. Looking over at her brother, his eyebrow arching at his question, it was unthinkable that even her family didn't seem to understand her. Turning back to Sookie, he seized her hand once more and held it within his own, stroking his thumb over it once. "I think it would be perfect for you."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 27, 2010, 3:13pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Smiling at her brother's excessive nodding, Sookie looked to Eric, shrugging apologetically. There was really no explaining Jason's thought process, or what there was of it. It left even her baffled, and she could read minds. Still, Eric seemed to be handling it remarkably well. "Why would he just know the word for dog?" she asked her brother, wondering how he'd come to that conclusion. "He doesn't really seem like a Rover, Rex, or Spike," she disagreed as her brother decided they would be more appropriate names. Besides, the puppy really responded to Hundr, especially when Eric called him. "You're both too hard on him," she decided as Jason voiced his lack of confidence in Hundr's training and Eric made it clear he disapproved of the puppy's coddling. Giving Hundr a piece of a biscuit, she blew a kiss at her puppy who was wagging his tail very enthusiastically. "He likes being coddled."
Frowning at her brother as he 'tried to get to know' Eric, she thought that was bullshit, personally. "I know plenty about him," she answered, getting angry as Jason kept talking. "I was friendly to vampires soon as they showed up cause there's no reason not to be. I'm not gonna judge a whole race of people based on rumors about them, and neither should you." Shaking her head as he brought up Gran in a whole other way, Sookie couldn't believe what she was hearing from him. "Gran felt the same about vampires as I do. She always said to judge an individual on his own actions, not the actions of his people, and you should remember that." Gran's killer had been human, after all, and a best friend of Jason's, so he had no right to go talking like vampires killed her.
Sighing quietly as he amended that he just wanted to keep her safe, knowing that was true, she nodded. Her brother's heart was in the right place, she knew that. Wincing visibly as Eric mentioned Bill Compton, she was sure no one noticed since Jason and Eric were facing each other now. Her frown faded at his words, though, replaced by a slight smile as he defended himself and their relationship, saying he'd protect her from everything he could. His words really touched her after what they'd just been through, and she couldn't help leaning over to place a kiss on his cheek. He really was so different to her, and she was still amazed at how much he cared for her. "Thank you," she told him quietly, for still accepting her after what Bill had done, for telling her brother what she meant to him, and for being so, so good to her. She would've teared up if it wouldn't have made every man in the room uncomfortable beyond description.
Jason talking about Hoyt, even in front of Eric, was just so normal that Sookie couldn't help smiling. "You're both always welcome anytime, just make sure you called first," she warned, knowing how much time she'd been spending in Shreveport lately. She wasn't going to state that as the reason why, though. She didn't need Jason having another fit. Smiling even more at the idea of learning to cook things Eric could eat, she nodded, somehow unsurprised that any sister of Claude's was a bitch. "I'll take care of it," she assured him, not really wanting to get his assistant involved. "Claude's always been real sweet to me, even if he's kinda nasty towards everyone else. I'm sure it won't be much of a problem." It was pretty weird how he even had a nickname for her, but hey, he was way nicer to her than he was to most women. She wasn't going to complain.
Rolling her eyes as Jason didn't even get her criticism of him, he seemed to get her tone if not her actual words. "I can take a place like that too. I'm perfectly capable of handling myself, and even if I weren't, I'm always with Eric," she pointed out. He might have been worried about a girl like her in a place like that, but there was no arguing that Eric was more than capable of protecting her. Closing her eyes and shaking her head as Jason decided he didn't have to date Bianca, just get to know her better, she looked at Eric. "Please do not let Bianca drain my brother," she requested with a sigh, though if Eric told Bianca all about Jason, she probably wouldn't agree to meet him anyway. "It is your Mercedes," she corrected Eric before turning to her brother. "Eric's letting me borrow it," she explained a little sheepishly. "My old car broke down..." Like that explained having a brand new Mercedes in the driveway.
She could tell that Eric was really pleased she was considering the whole career as a telepath thing, and she'd been looking forward to his reaction from it. It was probably one of the few positive reactions she'd get. Confusion would be pretty common, she guessed, based on her brother's reaction. They'd have to come up with a title that made sure the people of Bon Temps could actually accept it. Consultant or something like that might work. They'd figure it out. "Yeah, my mind thing," she answered Jason, knowing he didn't know a lot about it. "Sam's treating me fine, and Arlene's a bitch like she always is, but that's got nothing to do with it. It's just time for a change. It's not like I was ever gonna be a waitress my whole life." It'd seemed like a possibility at one point, but she really did want more. "I'll need your help," she admitted to Eric as he offered, smiling as he held her hand. "I hope so. It's gonna be a lot of work to set up, and I don't know how I'll do it yet, but I think it could work out really well." She hoped so, anyway. She would really need Eric's guidance on all of it.
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 27, 2010, 11:47pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
A quiet, nearly soundless chuckle escaped Eric's lips as Sookie seemed to apologize for her brother's... well, the Viking wasn't entirely certain what it was. He wondered if perhaps the boy had been dropped upon his head when he was still in his developmental phases. That would explain some of his thought patterns. Really, had the two not shared some kind of resemblance and had he not known they were brother and sister, the vampire never would have guessed such a thing. No wonder Sookie was so often uptight, self reliant, and so focused on her responsibilities. It was relatively obvious she couldn't count on her older sibling for guidance and aid. Eric couldn't even figure out where Jason had come up for potential names for the dog from. His head had to be a very strange place.
Clucking his tongue in disapproval as Sookie tossed a piece of her bread down to the dog, it was obvious Hundr had been expecting and waiting impatiently for the treat. "What did you do?" he asked, his eyes traveling from the content-for-the-moment puppy up to the telepath's accusingly. Something told the Viking this was not the first time Sookie had exposed the pet to food he shouldn't have been entitled to. "Of course he likes coddling," he agreed with a roll of his eyes. "Everyone does until they need to be strong and find they are only weak from having been coddled to such a degree. At this rate, the most he will do to protect you would be to provide a warning of impending danger when he runs under your furniture to hide." She had called this mass of whimpering fur licking the floor of bread crumbs a Viking puppy? Viking puppy Eric's pale ass. "I have so much to undo."
Thoughts of that were pushed farther back into his mind as the vampire watched the argument unfold between siblings. "In all fairness to Sookie, she was not very friendly to me upon our meeting," he interrupted with a smirk, offering his words to Jason, but keeping his eyes turned towards the telepath. "In fact, she was often highly unpleasant. She still is sometimes," he concluded teasingly. He just couldn't resist, especially when it was true, at least to him. He had mutually returned that, he was sure, and it had been one of the things that had made her so intriguing, especially when he was used to humans being far too friendly toward him. If Jason thought Sookie was 'vampire-friendly,' he really had no idea what was out there. Sookie was vampire tolerant, at best. She gave them a chance, and judged them accordingly, making her so unlike those who worshiped or hated them just for existing.
But Sookie was getting upset, and it left the vampire shifting unnecessarily in his chair, his fingers flexing once to maintain his composure as her anger seemed to rise. Eric didn't take kindly to anyone upsetting his bonded, even if it was her brother. Focusing his attention on finishing off the glass of carbonated blood, he had to try not to crack the flimsy vessel in his grasp as he drained it dry. He really would have to make a point of sending flowers to her grandmother this week. Defending both Sookie and his part in her life to her brother seemed natural. To this human, Eric didn't have to hide how much the telepath meant to him. He wasn't the Sheriff of Area Five, known for being a Viking who only won in battle, the most politically powerful vampire residing full time in the state of Louisiana. He was just a vampire who was very in over his head with a girl he didn't understand, who was rapidly becoming everything to him. Turning his gaze away from the boy as Sookie's lips pressed against his cheek, he quickly captured them with his own in a quick but necessary kiss, too chaste by his own standards. He hadn't kissed her in too long though and he needed it. Between their argument at Fangtasia, their discussion following, and Sookie breaking so completely, the last time he had kissed her had been when they had separated after waking up together in his bed. Too long. He wasn't sure what he was thanking him for, but after touching her lips with his own, he didn't particularly care. "Of course," he murmured back. He'd have to remember to find out what he was being thanked for eventually.
Eyebrow arching as Sookie claimed Claude was very 'sweet' towards her, Eric was left trying to repress a shudder. "He is not 'nasty' to me," he offered. No, Claude was something else entirely toward Eric and it made the Viking hide in the bathroom of cruise ships because of it. "He is too... friendly," he decided after a moment. It was an annoying thing, especially when fairies managed to have such a potent and powerful pull on vampires to begin with. Claudia had a tendency to be a little friendly with Eric as well, but that wasn't always as unwelcome as Claude, but he'd leave that information out for Sookie. "You must let me know if and when you plan on seeing them," he thought aloud, remembering when Sookie had called him down to her hotel room in New York smelling of the fae. He had held back then, but now? It took all his willpower not to let his fangs descend and traumatize her brother.
Nodding once in agreement of her words, they really were very accurate. Sookie didn't visit Fangtasia when he wasn't there, and she was definitely right. "And I can handle Fangtasia," he agreed. The boy, for his claim, really couldn't, but Eric? He did more than handle it. He ruled that fucking roost. Really though, Sookie had no reason to worry. From what Eric had learned in the nights following her last visit, she had cut in Chow's line and he hadn't made her pay the cover charge and she had managed to sidestep Pam to get to his office. Sookie really could handle herself. Actually laughing as she asked him to not let Bianca drain Jason, Eric took Sookie's warm hand and held it within his own. "I would never let such a thing happen, lover," he promised, still chuckling. "I don't know that it would be a concern. She might actually like him." Or at least like playing with him. The boy seemed too confident in himself. Bianca would no doubt enjoy showing him how much he had to learn. Shrugging as Sookie corrected his claim about her car, a car he didn't even think of as his, it was again a matter of semantics and perspective. "I still hold hope that you will buy it from me." Or work it off with small jobs, more accurately. What Eric would do with a bunch of bags of air was beyond him.
Looking between Jason and Sookie as she clarified on what she intended on doing if she left Merlotte's, Eric's blond brow twitched upward once more. Relying on his blood in her system to help her hear and process, he let out a rapid, hush of a whisper. "Is that how it has been referred to and treated by those closest to you?" he asked, absolutely boggled by the idea. Sookie's 'mind thing.' No wonder she was so comfortable calling herself crazy despite his own annoyance at it. She wasn't even free from judgment in her own home when her talent sounded more like a ailment than a gift. "Whenever you are ready, tell me," he offered. "We can discuss what you will need and how to go about things. It is a sensitive business," he continued, knowing they couldn't really talk about the supernatural world in front of her brother. "But one that could be very lucrative for you." And he really was all for getting her out of the Shifter's bar. "I really am pleased you are considering this, dear one. You should be proud to not be complacent."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 28, 2010, 12:36am
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Jason really was on fairly good behavior, even if he was acting like a bit of an idiot. Eric was seeing him behave, even if no one'd ever known that by the look on his face. Jason was a bit of a shock for those who didn't know him, but he had a good heart. Eric would see that. "We didn't do anything," Sookie protested as Eric looked so accusingly at her and her puppy. "It's just a piece of biscuit. Biscuits never hurt anyone." That had to be true, didn't it? "Hundr wouldn't hide. He'd protect me, wouldn't you, Hundr?" she asked the puppy who yipped happily at her. "See?" she asked Eric with a grin, unable to help but be a little amused over his exasperation. "Besides, training is your job. Coddling is mine."
Pinching Eric's arm as he 'defended' her by calling her difficult, both when they'd met and now, Sookie shook her head at him, trying not to smile. "I'm extremely pleasant, thank you very much," she argued, trying to hide the laughter in her voice. "You weren't very friendly when we met either," she reminded him, since he'd been all summon-y and acting like he was better than everyone. Still, she didn't feel much like laughing as Jason started interrogating and accusing Eric. Trying to calm down by remembering that Jason really was just looking out for her in his own, fairly rude way, Sookie reminded herself to breathe and relax. It was supposed to be a nice dinner. Besides, she liked the way Eric defended their relationship. It brought the smile back to her face easily, a smile that stayed on her lips as she went to kiss his cheek and he found her lips. Pulling away from the chaste kiss after a moment, she blushed, having missed that far too much. They'd have to make up for that later.
"I'm not surprised," Sookie replied as Eric said that Claude wasn't nasty to her, though she was sure Claude wished he could be a whole different kind of nasty with Eric. "I think he likes me though. He has a nickname for me," she told him with a shrug. It was pretty weird, but it had to be a good sign. "I'll let you know, I promise," Sookie answered with a smile and a bit of a blush as she remembered the last time she'd seen Eric after hugging Claude. Eric was very, very enthusiastic, to say the least. Last time, they'd had to cut it short, but this time they could take full advantage of how excited Eric got when she smelled like a fairy. "You'll be the first to know." She'd very much look forward to that night.
Nodding in conformation of Eric's words as he said he could handle Fangtasia, Sookie knew that was completely true. She thought she could handle it pretty well herself, but she knew she'd never actually have to with Eric there. People were actually eager to obey his every word, and he'd protect her no matter what. She trusted him with that. "I hope not," she answered, really hoping Bianca wouldn't drain Jason. Raising her eyebrows at him in an expression of clear doubt as Eric said Bianca might actually like Jason, Sookie doubted it, but women were strange when it came to her brother. "She's not my biggest fan, so don't let her take it out on him," she added, worried for her brother. Smiling as he said he still hoped she would buy the Mercedes, she nodded slowly, not sure what to say in front of Jason. "It's still yours until I can buy it from you, then," she answered with a small smile and a shake of her head. She was sure she'd hear about that from her brother, but he hardly ran her life.
Eric seemed to pick up on just why that was as he whispered to her in tones she was sure Jason couldn't hear. "You have no idea," she whispered back with a shake of her head, knowing Jason was being pretty polite in how he was referring to her ability right now. Jason was at least kind about it, or didn't mean it when he talked about it like something was wrong with her. Those closest to her all thought of it more as a disability or deformity rather than a gift, and most weren't afraid to say it. That didn't need to be pointed out now, though. Nodding as the conversation about her career aspirations moved forward, she smiled at Eric. "Maybe we could talk about it tomorrow night," she offered, mostly wanting to let him know she was gonna ask him to stay the night, so it wouldn't come as a shock or anything later. She missed him so much, she hoped he would agree. "It's kind of exciting," she admitted to Eric as he said she should be proud. "A little scary, but mostly exciting. Knowing you'll help me makes it a lot less scary."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 28, 2010, 1:58am
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
"Do you think I am oblivious?" Eric asked, knowing no one who was aware of even a tenth of what vampires were capable of would never call them oblivious. Sookie definitely didn't think he was, but she was enjoying her coddling of her partner-in-pansiness too much. That dog was doomed. "If you feed him now from the table, he will always expect such a thing, and he has done nothing to deserve it." If the dog was to be rewarded, the least she could do was reward him when he had actually earned such a thing. "He will protect you until your attacker offers him a piece of bread or any other food he isn't meant to have," Eric corrected with a roll of his blue eyes. "I will never be able to train him if you insist on undoing his progress with table scraps and limitless praise."
Smirking as Sookie insisted she was extremely pleasant, Eric just shrugged his shoulders while she pinched his arm, just the contact with her sending a jolt to his system. She could effect him so deeply with such ease. He wondered if she was aware of it. "Sometimes pleasant," he corrected, still amused. "And that is a matter of interpretation," he countered as she insisted he was the one who hadn't been friendly. Sure, he had claimed her gifts for his own purposes and had decided to get her to work for him by pretty much blackmailing her, but... "Sometimes, I was very friendly." Whether he was implying she should sleep with him after just meeting, stalking her out of his office with fangs extended because she was covered in blood and he was on a staking-a-business-partner high, or kissing her with unabashed passion in an orgy while she worked, he had been friendly. Watching as a blush rose to her cheeks following their much too brief kiss, he found a smile curling onto his lips. Dinner could not be over fast enough. He had his own dessert in mind.
Nearly wincing as Sookie decided she wasn't surprised Claude wasn't nasty to him, that flaming fairy really managed to unsettle him at times. "He has a nickname for me as well," he murmured with a frown before looking curiously to her. He definitely didn't want to think about that. "What is it he calls you?" Waggling his brows as that enticing blush rose once more to the telepath's cheeks, Eric had thoroughly enjoyed rubbing himself eagerly against Sookie, trying to absorb every trace of fairy on her skin through his lips in New York, but not having to hold back? That was his specialty. "You better," he agreed with a smirk. He'd be happy to leave the club in Pam or Chow's hands for the night in order to take full advantage of a fairifed Sookie. If she was agreeing, that really had to mean she had no intention of pushing him away after his upsetting news about Bill. This was rapidly turning into a very good night.
Only chuckling more as she insisted she really hoped Bianca wouldn't drain her brother, she sounded as skeptical as possible, and Eric really couldn't blame her for it. After meeting the elder Stackhouse himself, he could see how it could be tempting to silence him. The only thing that could possibly trump her skepticism was the expression on her face after he theorized Bianca might actually like the boy, and Eric couldn't stop himself from laughing outright. "She doesn't hate you," he corrected in amusement. "And Bianca would hardly do such a thing." If Bianca had a target, she focused on the target. "Besides, I am sure your brother is more than capable of handling himself." Jason sure seemed to think he could, but he had no idea, and Eric could only smirk, though he was positive Sookie wouldn't be overly pleased by it. He doubted she had any reason to worry though. Bianca was collecting obnoxious and slightly annoying human males like it was the newest fad in accessories she just couldn't do without. Perhaps it really would work out.
Amusement wiped away and a frown finding it's way onto his lips, Eric couldn't help but be disappointed as Sookie confirmed that she was misunderstood to a degree Eric couldn't understand and even worse. It was disheartening, to say the least. She deserved much better. Sookie was rare and special, and so special to the Viking. He didn't want to consider all the time she had been treated as anything less than that. He couldn't comment on that or question it without having a hushed conversation even someone who operated as slowly as Jason Stackhouse did without the silence being noticed, however, so he was left focusing on the other aspects of the discussion. "Tomorrow night?" he repeated, eyebrow arching. Was she implying he should be here when he woke? Smirking to himself, he nodded once. "Tomorrow night would work well. I will be spending more time in Bon Temps this week." Now that he wasn't restricting himself to Shreveport and was once more invading her space, he had an investigation to conduct. "I have some business to take care of that will keep me here, so we should have plenty of time." Stroking his thumb over her hand, he offered her a smile. "Good. I will do my best to make sure it is not scary at all. You should be excited. I am excited for you." And that was a way Eric had never described himself before. Only Sookie...
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 28, 2010, 2:29am
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
"No, I don't think you're oblivious," Sookie answered with a sigh, knowing Eric already knew the answer to that one. She could see how food could be useful for teaching Hundr tricks, but when he looked at her with those puppydog eyes, how could she resist? "He was very helpful when I was preparing the dinner," she argued as he said Hundr had done nothing to deserve the treat. "And I've never been attacked by anyone carrying spare bread, so I don't think that'll be a problem," she pointed out with a quiet laugh. She'd been attacked by a lot of people, and none of them ever carried biscuits or any other food for that matter. "I'm sure you'll do an amazing job training him, no matter what I do. You're not doubting your own puppy training skills, are you?" she asked with a smile, knowing Eric wouldn't turn down the challenge.
"Always pleasant," Sookie argued, debating pinching him again but knowing it wouldn't do any good except to excite him. It clearly didn't have the same impact it did on her brother, who was currently ignoring them while stuffing his own face. "Sometimes you were too friendly," she agreed since Jason wasn't paying attention anyway. Eric had been more friendly than was remotely appropriate, which made it all the more amusing that he was so creeped out by Claude's overfriendliness towards him. "I'm sure he does," she agreed with a laugh, not really wanting to know that nickname, but shrugging when he asked for hers. "Cousin. I think it's like a surfer term of endearment," she answered with a shrug, not really understanding it herself. "He's a weird guy." She'd thank him a million times over for helping her get in touch with his sister who could teach her to cook, and for making her smell like they did. Eric's reaction last time had been more than she'd ever expected, and she was excited to really experience it this time.
The skeptical expression she'd worn since Eric had agreed to introduce Bianca and Jason didn't fade as Eric insisted Bianca didn't hate her. She knew what he'd said last time, but serious dislike wasn't much better if her fangs were getting near Jason. "I hope not," she answered, glancing over at her brother and shaking her head. "He really doesn't know what he's getting into." Jason might have thought he could handle himself, and he might've been able to do just that around regular women, but Bianca was scary. She was literally a whole different breed from what Jason was used to. The fact that he confessed that he didn't want to date her didn't make it sit any better with Sookie. She was pretty sure the whole thing would end in complete and utter disaster.
Sookie could tell that Eric was deeply upset by what Jason had said about her gift, and even more upset about what she had said, but now wasn't the time to talk about it. Later, maybe, or tomorrow since he seemed to be agreeing to stay the night. Smiling brightly as Eric agreed that tomorrow night would work well for talking about work, she barely resisted the urge to lean over and kiss him again. "Wonderful," she decided, unable to get rid of her smile as Eric said he would be spending more time in Bon Temps. She'd missed him while they'd been apart, and the more time together, the better. Giving Eric's hand a squeeze at his supportive words, she released it as she stood from the table to clear some of the dishes. "You two look ready for dessert," she decided with a smile, bringing two fresh plates to the table along with pie, cookies, and ice cream for her and Jason, and a bowl of freshly made blood gelato for Eric. "Everything look okay?"
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 28, 2010, 7:43pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
"I'm sure he was," Eric agreed as Sookie insisted Hundr had been helpful when preparing dinner. The dog would be if there was food involved, it seemed. Turning his blue eyes down to the floor, scrutinizing the puppy who seemed prone to beg for table scraps, the Viking would have growled at him if he wasn't entirely positive it'd scare the human male as much as the pet. His gaze lifted and a smirk crossed his face as Sookie pointed out she had never been attacked by someone carrying bread. The very sound of her laughter seemed to give Eric more life. He'd never grow tired of hearing it. "Just because it hasn't happened yet does not mean it won't happen," he decided. "One must always be prepared." Puffing out his chest slightly as she questioned him, the vampire scoffed once. "I doubt none of my skills, Sookie. Neither should you," he concluded with a small smirk, his eyebrow lifting somewhat suggestively.
Chuckling deeply as Sookie insisted once more than she was always pleasant now, Eric could only smile. "If you say so," he conceded while giving her a doubtful look. He'd never say it aloud, but even when the telepath was less than pleasant, Eric was captivated by her. "Usually I was too friendly," he corrected quietly, unendingly amused by this particular debate in front of her brother. "Though it was only deemed 'too friendly' by you. I still believe it was the perfect amount." Claude, on the other hand, was never even close to the perfect amount of anything. "Cousin?" Eric repeated, blond brow once more arching high on his forehead. "The flaming fai...fellow surfs?" When Claude had randomly poofed Eric and company to Hawaii, the Viking couldn't recall the fairy getting anywhere even near the water that had surrounded them. He wasn't one to mess his hair up, it seemed. "That's quite an understatement." Weird didn't begin to cover the eccentric and obnoxious Claude Crane.
Sometimes Sookie was too amusing. Eric really couldn't quiet the chuckle that vibrated out from his chest as she fought the idea of Jason being introduced to Bianca. Though he could understand her rather justified concern, he was a little surprised she wasn't more embracing of the idea. Sure, Jason was her brother, but Sookie had made it clear she didn't like the idea of 'sharing' Eric. The more Bianca had to busy herself, the less time the two would have to wander back to one another. "Doesn't know what he's getting into?" he echoed back in amusement. Really, the boy had no clue. "Do you really think we are that much trouble?" With Bianca's fangs still coming in, Sookie wouldn't even have to worry about her brother being drained, but he wouldn't tell her that. "Everyone wants to enjoy themselves." And clueless or not, if Bianca gave him even a moment of her time, Jason would definitely enjoy himself.
The words 'Bon Temps' and 'wonderful' really didn't belong in the same thought to Eric, but he still let a smile cross his cold lips at Sookie's enthusiasm. He wouldn't look forward to having to part with her in order to deal with more shit from and because of Compton, but the vampire would be more relaxed just knowing she was nearby. He'd avoid telling her what his business entailed if at all possible. He really didn't want to mention Bill's name nor think of the vampire more than he absolutely had to. Returning the small squeeze to Sookie's hand, his eyes followed her as she stood from her chair, fully prepared to follow her before she announced dessert. What Eric had in mind for an after dinner treat wasn't what was laid out in front of him, however. "What is it?" he asked, sniffing the dish. The last time he had consumed this much synthetic blood in an evening, he had been healing from a draining. Taking a tentative spoonful of the blood dish, he nodded once in approval. "You're quite the chef when it comes to blood cuisine," he informed her honestly. It wasn't the dessert he had hoped for but... "I'm really very impressed."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 28, 2010, 9:27pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Smiling over at Eric as he seemed so critical of Hundr for enjoying people food, Sookie shook her head, reaching down to pat his head as Eric studied him. "He's a very good boy," she told Eric defensively, laughing as Eric's attention got the puppy all excited, and he went to go curl up by Eric's feet instead. "See? He likes you, and he's not the least bit interested in your food," she pointed out. Shaking her head at the thought of being attacked by dinner rolls, it just didn't seem likely. "I'm pretty sure it won't happen," she disagreed, still laughing until Eric started defending his skills, making her blush slightly. "I think you'll just have to prove yourself," she decided as innocently as possible, considering her brother was at the table, even if he wasn't paying attention.She wasn't going to talk about that sort of thing in front of her bother.
"I say so," Sookie confirmed with a playful smile as Eric so clearly doubted her capacity to be pleasant. She was pleasant when he deserved her pleasantness, and that was plenty. She'd been just pleasant enough, when Eric had been far, far too friendly more than usually. "Shhh," she warned, glancing over at Jason, hoping he remembered her warnings to keep things appropriate in front of her brother. Talking about how Eric had been too friendly wasn't really going to bring him and Jason closer together. Nodding as Eric repeated Claude's nickname for her, Sookie shrugged. "I'm not sure if he surfs or if he dated a surfer or what, but that's the only time I've heard it used like that." Claude didn't really seem like a surfer, but it was the only explanation she could really think of. "I hope his sister's more normal."
Nodding as Eric repeated her words back to her, Sookie was absolutely, positively sure that Jason had no idea what he was asking for in requesting to be introduced to Bianca. "You've met him," she reminded Eric in a quiet whisper only he would hear, since she could tell that Eric wasn't overly impressed with her brother. "You're a handful," she replied with a laugh, knowing that vampires were their own brand of trouble. She wasn't sure Jason could really handle one, let alone one like Bianca. "Your child is that much trouble," she pointed out with a nod, knowing Eric knew it well enough. Eric seemed comfortable enough with it, though, and if he was okay with it, Sookie could be too. "Just make sure everyone's careful," she relented with a sigh, thinking it was at least good Bianca couldn't get pregnant or something like that. "And don't piss her off, Jason. I don't want to find pieces of you on my front lawn."
Having Eric around in Bon Temps more this week would be completely welcome, even if she wasn't going to ask what kind of work he had in mind. Just knowing he would be near made her smile, and that was plenty for her. Smiling as Eric examined the dish she put in front of him and her brother dug into his, Sookie wondered if the vampire one would be as good. "Gelato. It's like ice cream," she told him, watching as he ate some ad smiling when he complimented her. "I'll get better," she assured him, even though he already thought she was good. There'd be time for that this week if he was staying nearby. There was a certain frisky feeling about him that told her there were other things he was anxious to try, though. Taking a bite of her own ice cream, strawberry to seem more like Eric's, she smiled at him. "So did you enjoy your first Stackhouse family dinner?"
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 28, 2010, 10:25pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
"I did not say he was not a 'good boy,'" Eric countered as Sookie continued to defend the small dog who was now staring back as the vampire looked critically down at him. "The problem is that he is too good." A guard dog needed to have a little aggression in it. More than a little, ideally, but given how much this one had already been coddled, Eric wouldn't set his sights too high too quickly. Watching as the ball of blond fur stood on his too big feet and went from begging at Sookie's feet to laying on Eric's, the Viking rolled his eyes. "I imagine his pulse has something to do with that," he stated as the telepath pointed out Hundr wasn't begging for blood. Eric doubted the dog would mind if there was a raw steak around, however. Watching as a slight blush rose to Sookie's cheeks, the vampire smirked in triumph. "Proving myself happens to be one of my favorite pastimes." He'd look forward to doing it.
Sookie's limitless expressions were an endless source of amusement for a vampire who possessed so few of his own. Figuring out what would make her blush, or squirm, or pout, or even yell or cry was like a study Eric couldn't delve deeply enough into. It'd never grow old. Letting a smirk settle on his lips as Sookie attempted to shush him, he quirked a brow upward, glancing over at the boy gorging himself before looking back to the telepath. "I was speaking about paying your inflated fees without a fuss, covering luxury accommodations and questionable charges when you were traveling, calling in emergency medical attention after you wandered in the woods and covering the fees for such..." Lies. "Whatever were you thinking of, lover?" he asked as innocently as possible, which was never very innocent. "You really must get your mind out of the gutter, Sookie," he whispered with a smirk. "Now is really not the time for such things."
Wrinkling his brow as she offered her own theory on where the ridiculous fairy had come up with her nickname, Eric's broad shoulders shrugged once. "Possibly," he agreed, not really wanting to know how Claude thought. "Though his nicknames for others always seemed very personalized to the individual." The vampire had heard too many for comfort. "He calls me Mr. Viking Man," he added with a frown before shaking the thought from his head. "Claudia is, in the grand scheme of things, quite normal," he assured her, though she was stuck up, self-centered, and eager for praise, but that could describe Eric as well. Bianca could be described the same way, which meant Sookie was right to be worried for her brother, but the Viking wouldn't give in that easily. Actually laughing as the telepath pointed out Eric had met Jason, her opinions on her brother were quite accurate, though they had a compassion Eric lacked. "I am much more than a handful," he insisted with a smirk. "And Bianca is that much trouble, but a little trouble has it's rewards." Sookie was just as much trouble, and he was sure Jason could be a whole lot of trouble if he tried... or didn't. "Your brother will be fine," he concluded with a nod before looking to Jason. "And you will not end up pieces on her front lawn. Bianca loathes getting human in her fingernails. She is not that sloppy." Very reassuring.
Taking another bite of the blood gelato Sookie had created as she explained it, it was really a strange thing to taste. Cold blood was undesirable blood to a vampire, probably the equivalent to humans complaining of things being stale, and it did nothing to warm the perpetually frozen vessel a vampire was, but this was somewhat sweet and not offensive to his tongue at all. "You're already very good," he argued as she insisted she would get better, not wanting her to think he demanded improvement or anything of the sort. Eric was low maintenance when it came to such things. He wouldn't need to be impressed, and it was especially unnecessary when he already was. He would have been content with nothing more than a taste of her, after all. Smiling at her question, he nodded once. "I have enjoyed myself, sans a few moments." He was nothing if not honest. Pausing, he arched a brow. "First? Does that mean that there are more to come?"
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 28, 2010, 11:14pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
"Good," Sookie decided as Eric seemed to agree that Hundr was a good boy, which he very much was. "Well, you haven't had time to train him yet," she defended her puppy as he said he was too good. "Give him time and a little training, and he'll be defending us in no time." It was adorable how much the puppy seemed to like Eric already, even if Eric didn't seem to reciprocate yet. "Well yes," she agreed as he said his pulse was why Hundr didn't want the blood. "But the point is that he likes you anyway, even though he doesn't want your food." The puppy was already clearly loyal to Eric, and Sookie thought that was a good thing. Smiling at Eric as he spoke of proving himself, Sookie had no doubt he would, but she could never resist challenging him. The results were too much fun.
Resisting the urge to growl at Eric as he covered up his own less than appropriate dinner conversation with pretending he was talking about something else entirely, she kicked him under the table. "I don't know what you're talking about, for any of that," she decided, a perfect lady. Her mind was nowhere near the gutter, and she knew Eric's words were never innocent, no matter what he pretended. Besides, she didn't know anything about inflated fees, luxury accommodations, or questionable charges while traveling. She'd have asked, but she pretty much figured she didn't want to know. And she hadn't wandered into the woods, exactly, but she didn't want to think about that either. "My thoughts have been perfectly appropriate." Mostly.
Shrugging as Eric said that Claude usually thought of personal nicknames for people, she didn't really understand it, but she'd never asked. "I'm the only one he calls that," she clarified, so she guessed it was personal, even if she didn't quite get it. "Mr. Viking Man," she repeated with a laugh, wondering if she could use it when she wanted to tease him. "That's good," she decided as Eric assured her that Claudia was relatively normal, especially if she wanted to learn to cook vampire edible things from her. It was pretty clear that she had more long term relationship goals than Jason when it came to dating vampires, but Eric seemed to think it would be fine, even if his words were so far from reassuring. Keeping Bianca occupied sounded like a good idea, but only if it wouldn't be at the expense of the only family she had left.
Some of the things Sookie experienced through Eric were pretty strange when it came to the gelato, but the experience seemed overall good, so Sookie was content enough to eat her own dessert. "I liked making things for you," she admitted to him, knowing that it'd be easier for everyone just to let him bite her, which they both enjoyed so much, but she liked that he could be included in the family dinner. "That sounds about right," she laughed as Eric admitted to mostly enjoying himself. "I hope so," she told him honestly as he asked if there would be more dinners to come, maybe without Jason, who seemed to be fiddling with his phone. "You know I don't like texting at my table, Jason," she scolded, but he didn't seem to hear her. Sighing as her brother got up from the table, informing her that he'd be by in the morning to pick up some left overs and that he had a date to get to, she simply shook her head as her brother left the house after only a quick goodbye to her and Eric. Shrugging apologetically to Eric, she couldn't be surprised by Jason's abrupt departure. "He's easily distracted," she explained, happy enough to be alone with her own date. "I couldn't be happier that you came tonight, Eric. This meant a lot to me."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 29, 2010, 12:27am
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
"Defending you," Eric clarified with a small smile ghosting over his lips as he looked up from the dog parked upon his feet to the telepath. "After I train him, he will be defending you." Perhaps with a Viking vampire whipping the dog into shape and breaking him of his coddled ways, he would have a chance to protect a human, but Eric wouldn't leave his own fate in the pup's hands. "And I will be defending the both of you." Since that was no doubt more honest and accurate than Hundr actually succeeding in protecting the pair of them. Arching his brow as she insisted the puppy liked him, once more the vampire's blue eyes were rolling. "He is a puppy who seems to like everyone," he scoffed, though really, Eric liked him too. He'd never admit to that though... ever, if he could help it.
Chuckling silently as Sookie shifted in her chair, the vampire anticipated what was coming before it ever arrived. Letting his own hand slip under the table, he grabbed the limb after it struck his leg before letting his cold hand ghost up her leg and thigh before pulling it back and resuming his seat as normal. "Of course you do," he insisted as she claimed she didn't know what he was talking about. "It is how I was too friendly. I don't know what you are thinking." Actually, he did. He knew she was thinking all of the things he had done that had surpassed inappropriate by a mile because that was what he had meant, but he could play innocent... poorly. Glancing over to her brother and watching as the boy fiddled with the phone, Eric turned his attention to Sookie, leaning towards her as she insisted her thoughts were appropriate, his lips meeting her ear as he whispered. "Then I'm really not doing my job very well at all, am I? How disappointing."
Shrugging once more as Sookie informed him Claude only called her 'cousin,' he really didn't get that particular moniker. "Do you surf?" he asked curiously. Maybe it was the blonde hair and perpetually sun-kissed appearance of the telepath that had earned it. Narrowing his eyes slightly as she echoed back the fairy's nickname for him, Eric's lips betrayed him as they curled into a small smirk. "It's not so bad coming from you." He still wasn't fond, but it was less creepy than Claude doing it, if only because it didn't include the eyefucking from a perpetually horny flaming fairy. It was a little difficult to further warn Sookie about what she might be getting into with cooking lessons from a fairy princess when he couldn't really talk about fairies given their present company, but he offered her a smile. "Claudia is a little... entitled, but if you can ignore that, you might like her."
Just like when the fairy prepared delicacies for Eric and the other Fangtasia vampires and had them taste test them, it took a little adjusting to figure out the blood dish, but Eric was making good progress on the gelato. "You enjoyed it?" he asked, somewhat surprised by her words. Cooking with blood couldn't have been very rewarding for the telepath. "Did you enjoy your family meal?" he asked. That was more important to the vampire than his own enjoyment. He had come to Bon Temps and agreed to meet the boy who was presently hurrying out the door for her, nothing else. He wasn't bothered by the departure and as Sookie apologized, Eric only smirked. "It was crowded in here anyway," he decided. "Now it is much more cozy." Pausing for a moment, letting his spoon idle in the bowl of blood gelato, he looked at her carefully. "How have you been, Sookie?" It had only been a week, but it felt like an eternity, and he needed to know.
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 29, 2010, 1:27am
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Smiling as Eric corrected her, Sookie had to admit that he was probably right. "Defending me, then," she agreed, unable to picture the tiny puppy protecting such a big vampire. "But he'd try to defend you too." He should get a little credit for intentions. Still, she couldn't feel safer as Eric assured her that he'd be protecting the both of them. "My very own knight in shining armor," she replied a little cheesily, but it wasn't often Sookie even admitted she needed defending, so he'd just have to put up with the comparison. Biting back the urge to say something to the effect of being able to protect herself, she instead focused on the puppy. "He hates the mail man," she told Eric in defense of the puppy. It was possible the puppy just hated the mail, but she'd leave that part out. "He hasn't met too many other people. I'll have to socialize him more," she decided, since he hadn't gotten out of the yard much in the past week.
Sookie was sure her cheeks absolutely lit up in a telltale blush as Eric's hand travelled up her leg in a clearly inappropriate way, making her stare far too hard at her dessert to avoid looking at anyone strangely or reacting in any way that would give her away. Thankfully, her brother was far too distracted to notice. Clearing her throat quietly, unable to clear her mind enough to answer Eric, she settled for nodding and fighting a smile. That he even wanted to touch her like that was such a good sign for their relationship. "Not here," she whispered back to him, unable to keep the smile from her lips now, but not wanting to say anything in front of her brother, even if he wouldn't notice a thing with how hard he was focusing on his phone.
Shaking her head as Eric asked if she surfed, she couldn't imagine herself doing something like that. "Can't even swim, remember?" she asked, though of course he remembered. Eric never forget anything, she was sure. Whether he knew that surfing involved swimming was another matter, though. Tempted to trace his lips with her finger as he smirked at the nickname, she only held back because she knew from experience what would happen then, and Jason was still there. "I'm flattered," she teased, though she was sure Eric would rather hear most things from her than Claude. "I think I can get past that," she decided as Eric told her that Claudia was entitled. She was used to ignoring less than desirable traits in people, and since she knew how much it could hurt to be judged based on a quirk or something, she really did try not to judge others for it. "I'm sure we'll get along fine."
It was a little strange to see Eric eating the gelato, and it was pretty obvious to her that he didn't have much experience with something like this, but she was also sure that she was the only one who noticed, which was confirmed as her brother bolted. Nodding as he seemed surprised that she'd enjoyed making him food, Sookie smiled. "There's something about it that makes me feel like I'm taking care of you," she answered with a small shrug, not entirely understanding it herself. Nodding as he asked if she enjoyed her family meal, she honestly had. "I really did. Having you two hear for me was really special," she told him, laughing as he decided the kitchen was much cozier without Jason, she had to agree. She and Eric needed the time together. "I've been..." She wanted to say she'd been okay, but he deserved more of an answer than that. "Angry, and hurt, and confused. Most of all, I really missed you, though." Through all her thinking about Bill and how he'd hurt her, she couldn't help wishing that Eric was there with her. "I know it wasn't that long, but I really missed you."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 29, 2010, 5:40am
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Nodding once in approval of Sookie's agreed amendment, Eric could only feel that was far more accurate. The only time the puppy really would have the opportunity to protect the Viking would be if he was under some kind of attack during the daylight hours and if that was the case, well, Eric was pretty much fucked and he knew it. "The only thing shiny about me is my car, lover," he stated with a smirk. "And I was never a knight. Knights were pussies hiding behind far too much armor." He was no fairytale hero, but he was a warrior, and whether Sookie knew it or not, he would do anything to protect her without hesitation. Blinking once as the telepath defended Hundr by insisting the pup hated the mailman, the vampire suddenly laughed at the unexpected news. "That's a start," he decided. "Next, we'll have to work on having him dislike most everyone who crosses onto your property." He'd be specifically devoted to creating tension between Hundr and a certain neighbor to the Stackhouse home...
Letting his fingertips brush over Sookie's thigh and reveling in the immediate response the action received in her cheeks, Eric did his best to maintain a completely innocent demeanor. With as focused as Jason's attention was elsewhere, the vampire had no qualms with testing the waters with the telepath at the table, despite her obvious nerves. It really was adorable when she squirmed. Quirking his brow as she cleared her throat, a smirk settled quickly onto his lips. "Something amiss, Sookie?" he asked as casually as possible, though he couldn't help but let his smirk become more of a smile as she whispered to him and let a smile fall on her lips. "Where then?" Wherever it was okay, that's where Eric wanted to be, though he really didn't have any kind of issue with their present surroundings. "I hate restrictions," he stated aloud shamelessly.
Letting a rare, very genuine smile cross his lips as Sookie decided preparing him blood dishes made her feel as if she was taking care of him, he would have willingly given Jason his car in order to get the boy out of the telepath's house so he could be alone with her. Fortunately, he was required to part with his baby, and Eric waited for the somewhat clueless boy to make his hasty exit for a booty call. "The last meal someone prepared specifically for me happened the night I died," he mused aloud, quietly. "And I had been meeting a woman's family for it." It was strange to him that history was repeating itself this way, but it kept the smile on his lips. Then, he had been looking for someone to care for him and his children and his holdings. It had been a negotiation mostly, something Eric had needed in order to carry on with his responsibilities after his wife's death, but this was something Sookie had orchestrated and done because she wanted to, because she apparently wanted to take care of him. What was strange to Eric was that he wanted that too. He was independent, self sufficient, and self reliant, but there was just something about Sookie that captured him, that had him remembering a time and a life that was much easier than the one he knew now. It was strange and though he didn't entirely understand it, he knew it was significant.
Hearing that Sookie enjoyed the meal she had planned and the company she had hosted made Eric more certain he had made the right decision in venturing to Bon Temps and actually pleased he had gone along with the somewhat silly tradition. He wanted to make her happy. Glancing toward the door Jason had exited through briefly, he looked back to Sookie. "I can see the similarities between you and your brother." He hadn't at first, not remotely, but he somewhat could see the bond. "You are much more intelligent, better mannered, far more eloquent, and better company in general," he began, wanting to make it clear they were still worlds apart. "But he is fiercely loyal... to you, fearless, curious, bold, eager, and has a certain... charm." It wasn't one that appealed to Eric, but little about Jason had. "You share those traits." The Viking much preferred them in Sookie, but he wanted her to know he didn't hate her brother or anything of the sort, and would continue to ensure that he was kept safe from the world of vampires because of his importance to her. Pushing his chair back from the table, he turned towards her so they were more facing one another, he patted his leg once, inviting the telepath to come to him if she wanted. Her anger, hurt, and confusion panged him, but he sighed at her confession about him. Had he missed her? He had, so much more than he was willing to confess. It had been torture to stay away. It had been torture to leave in the first place. "I missed you as well, dear one," he admitted, choosing not to elaborate more than that, at least not until he better understood where her head and heart were at, and if there was room for him in either. "What have you been confused about?"
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 29, 2010, 6:36pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Maybe Hundr wouldn't be protecting Eric any time soon, but Sookie knew the little puppy would try if he ever got the chance. Still, Sookie had to laugh as Eric corrected her knight in shining armor comparison, making her feel a little warm at the vision of Eric all dressed like the Viking he was. "Fine, not a knight then," she agreed, clearly amused. She wondered if he'd really met any knights or not, but now didn't seem the time to ask. She never knew how her brother would react to things like that, and she didn't want him going off on some tangent asking Eric about knights. Smiling at Eric laughed so abruptly at the news of Hundr's rivalry with the mailman, she nodded, a little proud despite how the mailman didn't really care for it. "I'm sure he'll follow your lead," she assured him, reaching down to give the puppy a pat on the head. He seemed anxious enough to please Eric, after all.
Sookie was sure her cheeks were absolutely flaming red as Eric's fingertips moved over her thigh and her attention focused so carefully on the table. "Nope," she answered, her voice just a little strange as Eric asked if anything was amiss, trying to sound as normal as remotely possible under the circumstances, squirming in her chair. "Later," she whispered to Eric, sure he was the only one who heard or even noticed with her brother so distracted, but it still wasn't the appropriate time for wandering hands under the table. "You're a tough cookie. You'll be okay," she told him as he complained about hating restrictions, smiling into her own dessert. She'd be happy to let Eric's hands wander wherever they wanted and even return the favor, but only when her brother left.
Thankfully, her brother didn't plan on staying. Smiling, happy to continue her conversation with Eric as her brother took his leave. "I don't think there's much risk of that tonight," she assured him as Eric told her about the last meal that had been prepared for him. Taking his hand, she turned it over in her own, trailing her fingers over his palm. "It probably seems silly, since there are easier ways to feed you, but I liked feeling like I was doing something to take care of you." She wasn't sure how he'd react to that, since he seemed about as likely to like someone taking care of him as she was to have someone take care of her, but they ere slowly trying to open up to each other, and that was what a relationship was. It was strange for Sookie to feel that way after all that had happened, but finding out about Bill didn't change how she felt about Eric.
Looking at Eric in surprise as he said he could see the similarities between her and her brother, Sookie wasn't sure if that was entirely a good thing or not until he explained. Smiling as she held onto his hand, she kissed his cheek, thrilled to hear that he could recognize those sorts of qualities in her brother after such a short and fairly questionable first impression. "Thank you," she answered, unable to vanish her smile. "That means a lot to me. I was hoping you'd like him." Like might've been a strong word, but he didn't seem to really dislike him either. That was good enough for her. Smiling as Eric pat his lap, Sookie moved into it without hesitation, curling up to Eric and immediately feeling comforted being so close. Relaxing against his chest, Sookie sighed as he admitted to missing her as well, smiling a little at the confession. The smile faded, though, as he asked what she was confused about. "How I could be so wrong, I guess," she answered, not entirely sure what she was confused about herself. "And how someone could be so cruel to someone else. How he could intentionally do that to me and live with himself." Bill was technically dead, but that didn't excuse it. "I just don't understand how someone could treat another that way.
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 29, 2010, 10:36pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Allowing a small smile to grace his lips as Sookie insisted there wasn't much chance of Eric meeting death again after this meal and meeting with a family, the Viking shrugged. "I will be prepared, just in case, since there is that saying about history repeating itself," he decided in amusement. He was always prepared since then, especially for an attack. "The circumstances this time are far different, however." He wasn't drunk, for one, and he wasn't a vulnerable, foolish human either. "And I don't truly intend on leaving this time either, so that should certainly help." She had already implied she would like him to stay for the night. He wanted to make it perfectly clear he had no intention of going anywhere else. "Also, I'm already dead." That probably factored into things as well. The feel of Sookie's warm fingertips on his palm sent jolts through Eric's arm, just the way it always seemed to and his eyes fell closed at the sensation. He could feel the trail she etched into his icy palm, even after the tips had moved on and he found himself maintaining a small smile at the feeling. "You fed me enough I won't need to consume additional blood for a week," he informed her with a smirk, eyes very gradually reopening.
Looking into her eyes and face, he studied it silently for a moment, absorbing her words and letting them swirl through his mind. He didn't know what to say. "I don't..." he began, struggling to find the words, but not taking his eyes off her face. "I don't let anyone take care of me, but I enjoyed this." There was a lot he wanted to say, and he found himself looking at her almost pleadingly, willing her to understand. He wanted to tell her that, for the first time in centuries, he wanted to let someone take care of him, and that he wanted that someone to be her. He wanted to say he wanted to do the same for her. That this, what they were sharing, made him almost happy. That she reminded him of a life he had known that had been cut short, one he had left abandoned in the back of his mind since. But he couldn't say it, his sense of propriety was too great. Saying it aloud was acknowledging a weakness a vampire Sheriff couldn't allow himself. He just wanted her to understand. For once, it was a shame she couldn't read his mind. He could have growled in frustration.
Since she couldn't read his mind or know the complications his position and it's vulnerability presented, he had to hope she could see it in his eyes, or at least find proof of it in his actions. Meeting what little remained of Sookie's family was important to Eric. It seemed... appropriate, as strange as it was. "Like might be a strong word," he began honestly, not wanting to disappoint her, but not about to lie either. Eric didn't 'like' humans in general, and Jason wasn't a particularly pleasant one, but he could respect his importance to Sookie. The Viking wouldn't be planning any male bonding adventures any time soon, however. "I like you though," he continued, a small smile on his lips. "And what is important to you is becoming more important to me." Even if he had to delve a little deeper in order to understand why it was important to her, or thought she probably could have done better without it in her life at all.
Letting his arms wrap around Sookie the moment she vacated her chair and sat down on his lap, he couldn't help but smile at how quickly she had decided to join him. He didn't require air the way she did, but her willingness and eagerness to connect with him seemed to unclench something that had some kind of invisible hold on his chest and he let out a nearly silent sigh of relief, his head tilting against hers, his face nuzzling against the side of her head. Cuddling with Sookie always felt right to Eric. He inhaled the scent of her hair as she spoke, her words breaking him from his reverie and causing him to lift his head in order to meet her eyes. How could he help her? He wanted to, he needed to, but her confusion wasn't unjust. Eric wasn't sure how Bill could have done such a thing either, but... "Lover, you have an ability to see the best in people," he began cautiously, thinking aloud. "You fought to protect my accountant, who I can tell you has done more than his fair share of questionable deeds, you protected a selfish man in Dallas who literally handed you over to the Fellowship of the Sun, and you even managed to find some kind of good in a drug dealer in the middle of New York City who had no objection to using you as a human shield." None of them deserved her compassion, but Eric also firmly believed Sookie had found good in them somewhere. She was privy to more than most could imagine, after all.
"But that is nothing compared to what I have seen and experienced myself from you," he continued. "I am not a good man. I am not even a man at all. I am a thief. I am a murderer. I am a manipulator. You have seen all of those first hand. I have degraded you, I have mistreated you, I have threatened you, I have misled you, but for reasons I will never understand, you have given me your trust. You have faith in me. You believe I deserve happiness. You see in me more than I see in myself and it makes me want to be what it is you see, despite how impossible I think it is.It was a good thing he was already dead, because if he wasn't, he was certain his next words would kill him. "I will never think you are blind, Sookie. If you saw a good in Bill, I believe it wasn't unfounded. Were you wrong about what he felt towards you and his motivations? Perhaps." Definitely. "But you are capable of awaking something dormant in us and it is special and it is rare. What he did is inexcusable and he will pay for it, but I doubt it was all a lie, I doubt you were so wrong. I am certain you left a mark on him, one he doesn't want to lose, but he just... never deserved it."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 29, 2010, 11:48pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Smiling and continuing to trace her fingertips over Eric's palm as he spoke, it was so wonderful just to be alone with him again. Sookie had missed him so much in the days they'd been apart that time alone with him was like soothing open wounds. "Good. You should stay," she agreed with a smile as he said he didn't intend on leaving. She wanted him to stay for as long as he could. Tilting her head and watching Eric's expression as his eyes closed and his expression melted to one of contentment, she continued moving her fingers over his hand, smiling at him as his eyes opened slowly. "That's too bad," she decided with something that might've been a hint of a smirk as he said he wouldn't have to consume additional blood for a week. She always looked forward to being bitten by Eric. "I didn't mean to ruin your appetite."
It was really clear that Eric was sort of lost for words, but they were treading on really new territory, for both of them. She'd never really had this discussion with Bill, or said anything liked that. He always acted so superior, never wanted anything from her aside from the obvious. It wasn't like Eric needed taking care of, but something in her reached out to him. "I don't let anyone take care of me either," she answered slowly, after a moment, seeing something in his eyes that almost mirrored what he felt. He didn't know how to do this, how to have a real relationship. Sookie wasn't sure she knew either anymore, but she could see he wanted to, and she knew she wanted to also. "You seem to be the exception." She hadn't let anyone take care of her in a long, long time, but somehow she didn't feel so wrong to let Eric take care of her. It was hard for her to let go of things, to actually let him, but something about Eric was just different.
Laughing quietly as Eric decided that like was a strong word for what he felt for Jason, Sookie nodded. "I thought it might be," she replied honestly, though she wasn't sure what the right word really was. "I'm glad you put up with him though," she added, since some people didn't react as well to her brother. Eric hadn't seemed too bothered by him. Smiling at his next words, Sookie wondered if liked was the right word for what he felt for her. "I'm hoping that's an understatement," she decided. "Though I'm glad to hear that. What's important to you is becoming important to me too." It was hard for her to understand, which she was sure Eric could relate to, but she was trying to see why it was so important, and include it in her life as well.
Placing a kiss on Eric's shoulder as she cuddled up to him, Sookie somehow felt more at home in Eric's arms, which made surprisingly little sense. The last place she should've felt so safe was a vampire's arms, but she absolutely did. There was something about Eric that comforted her, made her believe that everything would be okay again, despite what Bill had done to her. He gave her hope. As she listened to Eric list people she'd quite possibly been wrong about in the past, she had to admit that maybe she had been blinded by trying to see the good in people. She'd been so wrong about some of those people, and had been left asking herself the same questions she was now. Maybe she just didn't understand what people could really be like, but none of those had made her change her beliefs in people, even if it was naive. People did have good in them, including vampires. She couldn't just dismiss that.
Tearing up just a little as Eric described how she'd seen redeeming qualities in him too, she didn't see him as all those bad things. He had a good heart, strong morals, a lasting sense of duty, and so many other wonderful things about him that made her trust him and have complete faith in him, just as he said. Maybe he was right. Maybe she'd been wrong about Bill's feelings and motivations, but maybe there was good in him and that was what she had latched onto. She couldn't imagine there being much good in someone who could do what he did to her, though. "I trusted him pretty blindly," she admitted to Eric, something she'd admitted to herself only recently. "I couldn't hear any bad thoughts in him, so I just assumed they weren't there. I wanted to be loved by a man so badly that I believed his intentions were everything I hoped they were." It was painful, but true. She'd been wrong. "That's not what we have, though," she continued, needing to assure Eric that she didn't think she was equally wrong about him, and that she wasn't equally blind herself. "I didn't want to trust you. I looked for reasons not to. I tried to find reasons to dislike you, even to hate you. But you proved yourself to me time after time. You've proved I can trust you, and that there's so much good in you, despite what you might think." He didn't seem to see himself that way, but she did. "The trust and faith I have in you is completely deserved, and so are the feelings I have for you."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 30, 2010, 1:58am
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
"You do not mind if I seize the use of your guest room?" Eric asked, eyes still lingering closed as Sookie's fingers played across his palms. More specifically, it would be the closet of her guest room, but he was in denial about needing to spend his day in the cramped hole in the floor. He'd need to head back to Shreveport the following night if only to pick up some clothes and he'd also need to check Compton's to find out if there were any accommodations in his home that would better suit a vampire Eric's size... though the very idea of spending his daytime hours near or with Jessica annoyed him. Meeting Sookie's eyes and returning her smirk, he shook his head once. "I said I will not need blood," he pointed out. "And I won't, but it is time you learn that what I need is often in no way related to what I want or what I do." She herself was example of that. A Sheriff needed to be bonded to a telepath who often seemed to be on suicide missions like he needed a stake to the heart, but that sure hadn't stopped him. "My appetite is as healthy as ever. You can be sure I will prove that."
This was so frustrating. He had never wanted to let anyone into his mind before. Hell, more than half the time, he didn't want to be there himself. Right now, the fact that Sookie couldn't hear vampire minds was nothing short of annoying. After Bill's significant and complete betrayal, Eric knew it was important to let Sookie know how deeply he was effected by her, how she was different and so significant to him, how it was all very real to him, but he just couldn't say it. He couldn't let himself. Lifting one of his hands to her cheeks, resting it against her soft, warm skin, he kept his eyes locked on hers, really hoping she saw what he wouldn't let himself part with and as she spoke, he found himself smiling slightly. Maybe, just maybe, she did understand. "You seem to be my exception to many things," he agreed quietly. "I don't know where it leads, but I don't want it to change."
Smiling as Sookie's laughter filled the kitchen, Eric really was addicted to that sound. 'Put up with' definitely described Eric's feelings on Jason better than the original 'like' she had suggested. "He will take a little getting used to," the Viking decided, making it clear he wouldn't refuse to interact with the boy again. He would do a great deal for Sookie, and he really would be willing to introduce her brother to Bianca, if only so it would help the telepath's two worlds connect more. Jason seemed to have a few prejudices about the undead and Sookie's connection to them, but that would be more difficult to maintain if he indulged himself. Chuckling as she hoped he had understated his fondness of her, the Viking shrugged teasingly. "If like is inappropriate, what would you prefer?" he asked. "Infatuated, perhaps? I am open to suggestions."
Had Sookie trusted Bill blindly? Eric really couldn't argue that she had, at least to a degree, but he didn't believe her blind. She had let him claim her with no idea what such a thing meant. She had bonded to him without knowing what such a thing entailed. She had taken nearly everything he had said at face value and had managed to lose her voice in much of her relationship. She hadn't questioned things, or if she had, she had accepted not getting answers. They were mistakes, but ones Eric couldn't imagine she would let herself make again. "We all have bad thoughts, Sookie, whether you are privy to them or not. No one is entirely good, no one ever will be. And despite what you may feel now, it is not a crime to want to be loved. Humans seem to require it. You shouldn't consider yourself blind, however. You knew things were not right before this. You saw flaw, you knew it was there. You didn't know the depth, but you knew it wasn't what it should be and you got away from it. That's not blindness."
Keeping his eyes on her as she insisted what they had wasn't anything like what she had shared with Bill, he hadn't really needed her to say such a thing to know it was true, but Eric was relieved she knew that was true. "I am not good, dear one," he stated with a shake of his head, not agreeing with that at all. He didn't want Sookie truly thinking it either, when it was only bound to disappoint her. She didn't seem to like him calling himself a thief, murderer, or a manipulator, but Eric knew well enough he would continue to steal, kill, and manipulate. "But I will always do my best to be good to you." That much he could offer. That much he had been trying to do since shortly after meeting her. That was the desire she brought out in him. To earn her, to deserve her, to be worth her giving him a chance. "My blood cannot lie to you. I hope you have no doubt in me, but if you do, I hope you will search our connection and find my own feelings are genuine." He may not have understood them, he didn't understand feelings much at all, but every fiber of his being knew that what he felt was real.
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 30, 2010, 2:37am
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
"It's all yours," Sookie assured Eric as he asked if she would mind if he used her guest room. Really, she did mind a little, but not the way he meant. "I wish my room was already light-tight so you could stay in bed with me, though," she admitted, tracing the lines in Eric's palm while watching his face. "Maybe when Jason comes over to pick up the left overs tomorrow, I'll trade him the food for fixing that sort of thing up." Jason wouldn't like the idea of a vampire sleeping in Sookie's room, but she was pretty sure his love of her cooking would win out. "Or I could call Hoyt over and ask him. He'd understand." She knew Hoyt had spent time with Jessica while she was dead for the day, and he knew how precious the time could be. Smiling as Eric assured her that his appetite was as healthy as ever, Sookie was glad to hear it, something she was sure Eric could tell. "Well good," she decided, very much liking that smirk on his face. "I would hate to have to quit cooking for you now that I've learned it's possible."
Sookie could feel Eric's frustration as he clearly struggled with what to say. The Eric nearly everyone else knew always knew the right thing to say, was always completely articulate in every situation. This Eric was exposing himself to her, or trying, because he really didn't know how. She could see that because she knew it in herself. Opening up to anyone usually led to getting badly hurt, but for Eric, she couldn't resist. Leaning into his hand as he rested it against her cheek, she kept her eyes on his, very nearly wishing she could hear his thoughts, but knowing with all her heart that it was better she couldn't. "I don't want it to change either," she agreed, knowing that this was a truly unusual situation for both of them, but that made it special. Something about Eric just made her want to connect with him on a level she wasn't sure she understood, but she knew she needed to try.
Sookie couldn't help but be surprised as Eric decided that Jason would take getting used to, implying that he actually meant to see him again, even more than once. It wasn't something Sookie had been counting on, nor was it something she was going to force on him, but he didn't seem to really object. She didn't see Eric and Jason going night fishing or anything like that, but if they managed to remotely get along, that would be really nice to Sookie. "I'm so happy you'd even be willing to try to get used to him," she admitted, hoping Eric could tell how much it meant to her. Jason was the only family she had left, well, except for Hadley apparently, and she loved him. Smiling at Eric as he asked what she would prefer in place of like, Sookie shrugged slightly. "Infatuated is a little better," she admitted, though it wasn't quite right. "I'm not sure what the right word is yet, but I'm pretty sure like isn't it."
Nodding as Eric said that everyone had bad thoughts, whether Sookie knew them or not, she knew that was true, but she tended to look at the good instead of the bad when she could. With Bill, she had completely ignored the bad like it wasn't there just because she couldn't hear them for herself. It was clearly a mistake. "I don't think it changed," Sookie decided as Eric said that it wasn't a crime to want to be loved. Bill had hurt her, deeply, but she didn't think he had damaged her to the point that she saw being loved as a bad thing. Dangerous, maybe, and possibly scary, but not bad. "I wish I could agree," she sighed as Eric said she knew things were wrong before this. "But I ended it when he wasn't around enough, not because of other things I should have seen." Other things like his lack of respect for her, his controlling nature, or the fact that he didn't actually love her and had only seduced her for a second-dead vampire. "And when I let him into my life, it was pretty blind." Maybe she had eventually realized that something wasn't right, but in the beginning, she'd definitely closed her eyes to some things. She saw that now, though, and she could learn from it.
She certainly hadn't made the same mistakes with Eric. she had tried so hard to keep him from her life, to hold onto her bad opinion of him, but he'd proven himself to be a good man, whether he saw himself in that way or not. "Parts of you are," she argued as he said he wasn't good, firmly believing it. "Like you said, no one's all good." She could admit that, even if she tended to ignore it. "But parts of you are very good, and you're especially good to me," she agreed wholeheartedly. He had been for a long time, despite what he claimed. She wasn't sure how he didn't see himself how she saw him, but she saw such good in him, it'd been impossible to ignore even when she wanted to. She'd spent a long time doubting his feelings for her, only seeing the worst in them, but not anymore. "I don't doubt that what you feel is genuine," she assured him, especially now that she could feel what he felt for her. It reminded her so closely of what she felt for him. Even Bill's betrayals hadn't been able to shake that. "I hope you don't doubt my feelings either."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 30, 2010, 7:43pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
A lie? Eric's eyes nearly shot open, removing him from the reverie the telepath's fingers created on his palm as he felt the hesitation and deceit in Sookie's offer to him. Had that much changed in a week? That Sookie would no longer want a vampire in her home during the daylight hours? That Eric would need to be reluctant to spend his vulnerable hours with her? His mind reeled as she elaborated, and once more, a knot in his chest he hadn't realized was there seemed to unfurl and relax. What was this power she had over him? That only a few words from her could turn him upside down? His face relaxed, though only for a moment before an eyebrow shot up at her plan. "Lover, considering what is at stake should the renovations go even slightly awry, I don't think it would best be suited as a do-it-yourself project," he stated as gently as he could. Before meeting Jason, Eric never would have placed his fate in the boy's hand. Since meeting Jason, Eric had no intention of placing his fate in the boy's hands. It just wasn't a wise move. He also didn't want to mention the inflated costs of the light-treated glass when Sookie seemed to far too often get caught up in prices and money. "I will make a few calls before dawn," he offered after a moment. He wanted to spend his daylight hours with her as well, so he wasn't going to discourage her. "And have things set in motion." He had also talked about getting her a new security system, this would present an opportunity... And he did owe her porch a fresh coat of paint...
Eric was never at a loss for words. This was a strange development he didn't care much for, but was it really that strange? Since Sookie had entered his existence, the world as Eric had known it had been successfully turned upside down after a thousand years time. It was as if he was really seeing the world for the first time now and he didn't understand it. He couldn't. For a millennium, he had successfully evaded feelings. He had wanted no part in them when they only served the purpose of complicating everything. Sookie had complicated everything. The emotions and feelings he was bombarded with now were because of her. As he stared into her eyes silently, pleadingly, he let the onslaught of feeling and desire she had created in him to sail through his mind freely. He wanted her to share herself with him, everything she was and had been. He wanted her to know him in turn. He wanted to protect her, to care for her, to shelter her, to encourage her. He wanted her to do the same for him. He wanted to give her everything she desired. He wanted her at his side. He wanted her to show him happiness. He wanted to see and know her her more clearly than any ever had. He wanted to take away her pain. He wanted to be her future. He wanted to possess her completely, to claim her until she was his completely, until there was only him, until there was no more pain, until nothing else mattered. He wanted her to do the same to him.
It terrified him.
And because of that, he was thankful his sense of responsibility and duty kept him mute and stopped him from making himself more vulnerable than he already was in his eyes. He was a thousand years old, proud, a Viking, a survivor, a Sheriff of significant power and standing, with many allies, and many vampires loyal to him. He was resilient and selfish, stubborn and disinterested. How could one human girl change so much? Was there no pedestal he would not put her on? Any vampire who had lasted more than a few centuries operated under the belief that their existence lingering so eternally was building to something significant and important. Why was there a voice in the back of his head that thought for even a moment that Sookie could be that for him? It was startling, unnerving, even inexcusably pathetic on his part.
And also, strangely wonderful.
Letting his thumb stroke over her cheek as she tilted her head into his hand, he guided her closer to him, his lips seeking hers like a moth to a flame. He needed to kiss her, to let that connection speak everything his eyes couldn't convey. It had been his means of communication for the things he couldn't say long before she was his, his desire and feeling for her honest enough she had always returned the affection, even when she belonged to another. A smile ghosted on his face as he pulled her to within a breath of his lips. "Then let's not let it change," he whispered before his lips crashed urgently to her own, his eyes falling closed as he absorbed the softness and warmth of her mouth on his. He had needed this, it's absence difficult, but his patience rewarded. His lips parted against hers, the taste of her on his tongue quenching him in a way that a buffet of blood concoctions never could. He put everything that remained unspoken into his kiss and only reluctantly pulled back when reminded Sookie required air, his eyes slowly reopening to meet her own. "Really, let us not allow for it to change."
Pulling her flush to him, he tilted his head against hers as she rested her head on his shoulder. He could feel the warmth of her breath on his neck and he reveled in it as she spoke. "I want to make you happy," he stated simply as she expressed how enthusiastic she was that the Viking would willingly spend more time with her brother. He would do anything to ensure Sookie was as happy as she could be, even if it meant spending time with a human he wasn't particularly fond of or impressed by, without hesitation. "I believe you should accompany him to Fangtasia when he attempts to woo and bed Bianca," he continued, letting his fingers comb through her hair as he held her. "He is understandably uncomfortable with you there, so it would be best if he could see firsthand how safe you are when there with me. It may quiet his fears." Though Eric was thoroughly unimpressed with Jason, he knew the boy's opinion and approval mattered to Sookie, so he wanted her to have it.
The Viking found himself relieved as Sookie decided that, despite Bill's deplorable actions, she wanted to be loved. Love was such a human thing. They seemed drawn to it and the idea of it by some invisible, vital magnet. Part of what drew Eric to her was her warmth and life, and if Bill and his transgressions successfully left her uninterested in love, the vampire was positive she would be cold and not so different from the vampires who so often surrounded her. He didn't want that for her. Still, he shook his head as she continued to insist she had been blind, not seeing it as she did. "You ended it then, yes, but that does not mean you thought it was right before then. How long have you desired me, lover?" he asked without waiting for an answer. She had told him already that she had wanted him long before she should have. "Do you not consider that a crack in what you shared? There were problems you were aware of, problems you understood." Problems she had even contributed to. "Stubborn? Perhaps. Blind? No, you were not blind."
Eric could tell Sookie truly believed there was good in him, but he simply was unable to see it such a way. Instead of arguing it with her, he could easily prove he wasn't. Lifting his head from hers, his eyes locked onto her own before a smirk crossed his lips and his brows waggled suggestively. "And what parts of me are 'very good,' Sookie?" he asked shamelessly. "Feel free to flatter me with a lengthy list and to point them out however you so choose." He really couldn't resist. Letting a smile cross his lips as she assured him she believed his feelings for her were genuine, it was a relief to him. His smile wavered slightly at her final statement, however and he frowned just slightly. "No, I don't," he began, honestly. "I was... concerned though." He was hesitant, unsure of what to say, but being honest with Sookie had served him well enough thus far, there was no reason to change it. "When everything happened, when I told you of what transpired, you felt so much, so strongly, and none of it was for me." At least, it hadn't felt as if it were for him. "I have wondered if there was room for me." That was the simple truth, and it had made him more determined now to erase Bill completely from Sookie's system until he was unimportant in all ways. "But being here with you now, I don't doubt there is."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 30, 2010, 9:36pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Eric seemed to tense for a moment, for a reason Sookie couldn't understand, but it seemed to fade just as quickly as Sookie explained that she wished he could stay in her bed all day. She could understand why he wouldn't want to sleep under the closet in her guest room, so maybe that was it. It wasn't something anyone would look forward to. "Jason's not so bright," she admitted as Eric protested Jason or Hoyt doing the job. "But he and Hoyt are in construction. It's what they do. Maybe they're not the sharpest guys out there, but this is what they do, and they're good at it. It'd feel so strange hiring another crew to come in here and do the kind of work they spend their lives doing." The crew didn't exactly light proof rooms though, so she'd understand if Eric wasn't quite comfortable with trusting his existence to a bunch of people he didn't know. "If you'd feel better calling someone though, I'll oversee everything, and I'd be happy to make sure it all goes smoothly." She wanted him to be safe too, so if he had to make a few calls and set it up with people he trusted, that was fine by her.
Closing her eyes for a moment as Eric's thumb stroked over her cheek, it was like he was reaching out and touching her heart. So much had hurt her in her lifetime, so much more than she thought was fair, but she couldn't think that way. Through all of the pain, she had always been drawn to Eric. He had always represented strength to her, whether she liked him or resented him. She'd always felt this pull when it came to Eric Northman, appropriate or not, whether she understood it or not. Mostly not. Nodding, a small smile settling on her lips as Eric whispered to her before kissing her, making Sookie pull him closer, tug on his hair to get as close as possible, desperate to somehow unite herself with him again. She'd missed him more than she could put into words, but she could try to show him what he really meant to her, even if recent events had left her too afraid to actually say the words. Nodding again as he pulled away, Sookie fought to catch her breath, reluctant to open her eyes. "We won't," she decided, knowing that if she and Eric really didn't want it to change, they could keep it from happening.
Shivering as her body rested so completely against Eric's, Sookie couldn't look away from his eyes after he finally spoke. "I want to make you happy," she repeated, though she meant the words as much as he did. He might have thought he couldn't be happy, or didn't know how, or wasn't mean to be, or didn't deserve to be, but with all her heart she wanted to make him happy. Maybe it would take more effort than she understood, but she'd do whatever it took to help him feel happiness again. Nodding as Eric told her that he thought it'd be a good idea for her to go to Fangtasia with Bianca, she could see how it would be a good idea. She was touched that he wanted her brother to know that she was so safe. "That's a great idea," she agreed, closing her eyes as he brushed his fingers through her hair. "I'll make sure to be there."
Eric didn't see her as blind for putting up with Bill's lies for as long as she had, but Sookie did. She couldn't help it. Not when it was true. "I wanted it to be right before then," she argued, thinking that might've been just as bad. She'd wanted it to be right, so she'd decided it was and kept believing it despite all evidence to the contrary. Smiling just a little as Eric asked how long she'd wanted him but didn't wait for an answer, she was grateful because she really wasn't entirely sure. Longer than she should have, she knew. She hadn't really thought about that being a sign for something being wrong. She still saw herself as blind for most of the relationship, despite what Eric said. She'd thought Bill loved her. That was pretty blind. Either way, she was keeping her eyes open from now on. She wasn't going to make the same mistakes again, and that mattered more than the past did.
Shaking her head at Eric, Sookie lightly smacked his chest as he turned her words to make them sound very dirty. "That wasn't remotely what I meant, and you know it," she scolded, trying to keep the laughter from her voice. Parts of Eric were very, very good, in fact all of him was, but she wasn't talking about his physical attributes. Her smile slipped as Eric explained how he had been confused, though. "I felt so much because it was like everything I knew shattered," she tried to explain, since she knew that Eric was unfamiliar with emotions. "It wasn't for anyone. It just... was a shock. It was like what I believed about the world was suddenly challenged." To have someone pretend to love her like that for political gain was beyond her realm of comprehension. "I had a lot taken from me." That hurt too. She would have rather given what she gave to Bill to someone who really loved her, who really treasured her. "I wish I could've given those things to you." That was a big regret, but not one she could really do anything about. She couldn't make Eric her first love, but that didn't mean there wasn't a place in her heart just for him. "There's so much room for you," she assured him, truly believing that there was always room in someone's heart for someone new, that it never got all filled up, but more than that, Eric already had his place there. "Isn't it obvious I'm falling in love with you?"
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 30, 2010, 11:40pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Not so bright was possibly an understatement when it came to Jason Stackhouse, but Eric didn't say such a thing aloud and instead only gave Sookie a pointed glance. The Viking assumed Bill had been the one to create the cramped hole laying beneath the floor of her guest room closet and he had known that the Civil War relic had spent his daytime hours within it. That had been enough to assure Eric it was safe enough for him to trust. Letting Jason and the human who apparently belonged to Jessica do renovations for Eric to test was a little unnerving. At one point in time, when Eric had first learned of Sookie's gifts, he had prepared himself to do whatever it took to earn the telepath's cooperation, including learning a limited amount about her family and closest friends in case he would need to take them to use against her. He was relatively certain the elder Stackhouse worked for Sookie's parish on the road system... which explained a lot about the roads his Corvette rebelled against in the small town. "I will compromise," he offered after a moment. Compromising. It was still a relatively new concept to him and only one he had practiced since meeting Sookie. "I will call in a construction crew that I know has done such work for me before." Eric loathed Weres, but they had a functioning relationship in times of peace and understood the importance of protections being necessary for supernatural existences. "I will make sure it is understood that Jason and this Hoyt are welcome to contribute and work with them." Sookie wouldn't have to be criticized by her brother for not including him, Eric could make sure qualified people performed the task, and Jason and Hoyt would get the chance to make contacts outside the world of asphalt and ditch digging. "Does that suit you?"
It was surprising, even to him, how much he had needed Sookie's kiss, though it shouldn't have been. He so often had struggled to find the words he wanted around the telepath, but that was always right. Before Sookie had found her way to him, she had denied him so often, every time he pleaded with her to leave Bill, to be his instead, she had refused, but she never refused his lips. He cradled her face as his lips explored hers, her skin warming his cold touch, and as her fingers weaved into his hair, pulling him closer to her, the vampire was left groaning in approval and with desire. She was communicating as much with him as he was with her, and just as they always seemed to be when kissing, Eric was certain their messages weren't so different from one another. He absorbed her hot breath against his skin as if it gave him life and as she gasped for air, he nodded his head once, mutely, a smile crossing his lips. "You sound very certain of that," he thought aloud. Good. He liked certain.
"Are you cold, lover?" he asked, feeling her body quake against his own and enjoying the feel of it. She was so warm and he knew holding her close to him had the potential to leave her chilled, but he was unwilling to relinquish his hold of her. They had spent too long too far apart. He'd be more than willing to move to someplace more cozy than her kitchen, however. He found his lips twitching upward into a smile again as she decided she wanted to make him happy. Eric wasn't used to smiling so often. It was an expression he seldom wore before her. "If anyone is capable of such a thing, I have little doubt it is you," he decided honestly. He wanted it to be her. He wanted her to make him happy, as impossible as it seemed for a vampire such as him. He really did. "I hope you will help me know what will make you happy," he added. He was new to wanting such a thing. He'd need all the help he could get.
"There is no crime in wishing something right or trying to make it so, even if it is not. Not when it is important to you," he argued, unwilling to see Sookie as blind. She had been played, she had been deceived. Even Eric had failed to see it for what it was, though his suspicions that all was not what it seemed had arisen before Gabrielle had informed him of the full level of his betrayal. "I do such on a regular basis." Eric willed a lot of things to work in his favor. With a great deal of determination, he was usually capable of such a thing. It just didn't work for everything. "And sometimes we must convince ourselves of things for our own benefit." Eric was a confident bastard, but that didn't mean he really believed all his plans wouldn't leave him and half his Area second dead on a regular basis. "Bill was present during a time of confusion and turmoil in your young life," he offered. Her grandmother had been killed, she was being hunted. "Wanting to believe the person you turned to was ideal is normal." At least for humans. Vampires knew better than that.
Grinning as Sookie struck him, the vampire's hand snatched up and seized her hand within his own, first lifting it to his cheek to warm before his lips captured it and began kissing over it. "I think you meant parts of me are very good," he argued as she stated his words weren't what she had intended. "And I believe I just reminded you how accurate that statement was, though I would be willing to remind you in a more... hands on way." He was nothing if not confident... which made the uncertainty he had felt in the last week a strange, foreign thing to him that he didn't like being reminded of. He didn't like sharing Sookie, it upset him, but he had had to share her for the last week as she sorted through her past relationship and everything that it entailed. He wouldn't complain of it though, not truly. She needed to do it, she probably would need to do more still, and he wanted her to be able to heal. "Sookie, you have given me more than I deserve already," he stated with a small smile, his hand stroking over her cheek once more. "I am selfish, but not unreasonable. I know there is room for me." He'd make sure there was, even if it took time. He wasn't going anywhere. His eyebrows were though, considering they shot up in surprise by her final question. It took a lot to surprise Eric Northman, but Sookie had succeeded. "Are you?" he asked, his mind reeling as he tried to process that, tried to understand it, tried to accept it. "I think I like that."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Aug 31, 2010, 12:55am
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Raising her eyebrows as Eric told her that he would compromise, Sookie was almost afraid of what he would say, but even she could admit that he was getting better at compromising. They'd been compromising a lot lately, or at least trying to, and she had to think it was good for them, especially given how stubborn they both were individually. If they didn't compromise, nothing would ever get done. Nodding slowly as Eric described his compromise, it was one Sookie could live with. "That sounds good to me," she agreed with a smile, wondering what her brother would think of all the changes to her house. "I'd never hear the end of it from Jason if I got someone else to do it, and I'll never hear the end of it if he gets to do it, because he won't get all the changes," she told him with a shrug. She was damned if she didn't, and damned if she did. "Thank you," she told him, giving his hand a small squeeze. Eric was so good to her, to compromise so her family wouldn't feel left out.
Shaking her head as he asked if she was cold, Sookie just always seemed to have a physical reaction to being so close to Eric, whether it was shivering or blushing or a fluttering in her stomach. It was hard to ignore. "No, I'm completely content," she told him honestly, not willing to move away from Eric now that she was so close. Well, maybe to the bedroom, but she wasn't willing to move yet. Sookie's lips lifted into a smile as Eric gave her that smile she'd really only seen him use around her. It was this rare, genuine expression that made her want to come through for him and really, truly make him happy. "I'm going to try my best," she promised him, meaning every word. "You already seem to know how to make me happy," she added, not thinking he needed much instruction. He'd been successful with it since they started dating. Maybe he just had an instinct for it.
Sighing as she rested her head on Eric's shoulder, maybe he had a point. "It might not be a crime, but that didn't mean no harm came from it," she disagreed, but she still heard his words. She wasn't the one who'd done wrong. Bill had manipulated and lied to her. That wasn't her fault, it was Bill's. Bill had been there when she'd needed someone to turn to, and she'd trusted him because she wanted to believe he was good. It was a mistake, but she hadn't been wrong to do it. Bill had been wrong to take advantage of her when she was in that state, and it was important for her to remember that it really wasn't her fault. "Thank you," she told him quietly, knowing he meant to comfort her, and wanting him to know he was succeeding. It wasn't the sort of pain that words could take away, but he eased it, and that was important.
Laughing as Eric kissed over her hand and said such suggestive things to her, Sookie shook her head. "All of you is very good," she argued, biting her lip as uninvited visions of a naked Eric played through her mind. "Every inch, and I know that perfectly well, hands on and otherwise, but that's still not what I meant." He could be so difficult, but she supposed she could see why he was deflecting from emotional talk to something he knew better. Smiling at eric as he said he'd given her more than he deserved already, she couldn't disagree more. "You deserve so much," she told him, leaning into his hand and closing her eyes until he spoke again. "You're the only one in my heart now, Eric. I hope you know that." He really was, romantically at least. There was room for her brother, her dog, her friends and all that, but he was the only one in that truly special place. Sookie would've thought his eyebrows were just about ready to lift off his head as she confessed she was falling for him. "I am," she answered quietly, smiling as she reached out to smooth her fingers over his forehead and down to his cheek as she looked into his eyes. "I like it too."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Aug 31, 2010, 7:46pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Eric was getting better at this compromising thing. He smirked, clearly proud of himself as Sookie agreed to the terms of his offer, though he wasn't entirely surprised her brother would throw a human hissy fit regardless. The vampire would work hard toward tolerating the elder Stackhouse, but he was positive he'd never respect the boy. "I will see it is all taken care of and then it will be in his hands whether or not he contributes." It really was an easy enough solution. "Expect Weres," he added with a small frown. Weres weren't good for much, but they seemed to be naturally drawn to fields of work that involved a lot of physical work and not a great deal of brain power unsurprisingly, and that they were decent with. "I'll put a call into the Herveauxs." He didn't know how familiar Sookie was with them, but they'd be able to handle it, even if it would be begrudgingly. Money tended to speak louder than grudges. "Keep Hundr away from them," he added as an afterthought, casting a quick look down to the floor. The last thing the Viking needed to interrupt his training of the pup in addition to Sookie's coddling was Weres influencing the pup. "Is there anything else that needs working on here?" he asked, not allowing her a chance to object before explaining. "It would be much easier to have it all done at one time, and if there is already a crew here, why not use them fully instead of smelling your home up of dog repeatedly? The rest is just details." And those details tended to be money. All objections always seemed to be focused around money.
Letting a smile ghost over Eric's lips as Sookie insisted she was content, the vampire briefly wondered if she had the same kind of reactions to their proximity as he did. Her touch was like fire to his skin. He had felt it deep within him every time she was near and long before she was willingly in his lap. It was part of what had drawn him to her so completely. "So am I," he decided with a small smile. Eric didn't get the chance to describe himself as content often, but with Sookie he was. He felt at peace, willing to push the countless things that plagued him and his Area to the back of his mind and to just relax... and to fuck. "Are you happy?" he asked, eyebrow arching. "Genuinely happy? What does it feel like?" It was an odd question to ask, but he wanted to know. He needed to know. She was awaking so many things within him, he wanted to know and recognize them all.
Combing his fingers over the back of Sookie's head and through her hair, he turned his head to place a kiss on her forehead as she sighed. He hated her turmoil. He hated that she had been treated such a way. It was unacceptable and wrong. Sookie was strong and a survivor, but Bill had made her a victim, a victim of her own heart and Eric loathed him for it. "Harm came from it, but only as much harm as you allow. You are strong, lover. He has done his damage and that is on him, but you can heal. The choice whether or not you do so is yours." He would help her, he would do everything he could to help her, but she could overcome it if she wanted to. Sookie had been forced to endure more than her fair share of shit because of other people's actions. He hoped this wouldn't be the thing that ruined her. Nuzzling against her forehead, he kissed it once more as she thanked him, he didn't know particularly what he was being thanked for, but one thing seemed safe to say. "Anything for you, lover."
Smirking as Sookie laughed, he placed kisses on each of her fingers as she bit her lips, a habit of hers that drove the vampire crazy. "Parts of me are better than good," he argued with a grin, eyebrow arching. "Wouldn't you agree?" He loved to see her squirm and that visual was only more welcome when she was already sitting in his lap. Letting a smile cross his lips as she insisted he deserved so much and leaned against his hand, Eric shook his head. "I don't know if I deserve anything," he argued. "But I know what I want and desire, and that's you, so you have given me plenty." As long as she continued to share herself with him, as long as she was still his, he would be content. Letting her fingers bring his eyebrows to a normal level with a chuckle, love was still such a strange, foreign concept to the vampire, he didn't know what to make of it, but he believed Sookie. Turning his head as her fingers reached his cheek, he captured them in his mouth, biting lightly before licking them with a smile. "I don't know much about it," he admitted easily, honestly while still continuing to pay attention to her fingers. "But I like it."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Sept 1, 2010, 6:20pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Sookie could've laughed at how proud Eric felt over his compromise being accepted. Her vampire really was something else, and that was exactly how she was getting used to thinking of him-- as hers. Maybe all the vampire possessiveness was rubbing off on her. It seemed entirely possible. She was pretty sure he wouldn't mind it, but she was pretty sure her brother would when he realized what the request for a light-proof room would mean. He was sort of old fashioned that way, no matter how many women he slept with. It really was too bad he didn't know what hypocritical meant. "That sounds perfect," she agreed, proud of Eric for being willing to compromise. "Oh, they were real nice," she told Eric as he said the Herveauxs would be doing it. "Well, Alcide was. Jackson was sort of a grouch." Jackson didn't seem the type to actually participate anyway. Frowning as Eric asked if anything else needed work, Sookie shook her head. "You wanted that security system put in, but nothing else." Everything else was just fine, she was pretty sure.
Smiling up at Eric as he said that he was content as well, Sookie placed kisses along his jaw, not missing the fact that Eric mostly felt this way around her. Contentment seemed like a step towards being happy, and Sookie so badly wanted to give that to him. "I am," she answered as he asked if she was happy, unable to deny it, but not entirely sure how to answer his question either. "I'm not really sure how to describe it," she admitted, trying to figure out how. "It's like... if I got stuck in this one moment forever, just reliving this piece of time right now, I think I'd like that." She could stay in Eric's lap like this, just cuddling him for the rest of her life and be perfectly happy doing it. "Contentment's a part of it," she told him, wanting him to know that he was at least on his way to happiness, even if he didn't quite believe he was there yet. "It's joy, and satisfaction, and love, and contentment, and all positive emotions just rolled up into one."
Nodding as Eric assured her that she could heal, that Bill's damage didn't need to be permanent, she agreed with him. "I know that. There's never been a part of me that's wondered if I'll be able to heal. I know I will. He shook my beliefs, but I control them. He doesn't. I don't have feelings for him anymore," she assured him, wanting him to know that. Sookie was done with Bill. "I haven't for a while now. Betrayal hurts coming from anyone though, especially someone I used to love. I have a great life apart from everything he touched, though. I'm my own person, and even though this hurt, I'll recover just fine." Eric was helping her do that in a big way by giving her the courage to fall for someone again. She trusted him, even when trusting anyone else was scary, and that was how she knew she really could heal completely.
Laughing quietly as Eric kissed over her fingertips, Sookie made no effort to pull them back, even as she shook her head. "All of you is completely and totally perfect in every way," she assured him, since she enjoyed every inch of his amazing body. She wouldn't have changed a thing, and that made it pretty perfect for her. "But that's still not what I was talking about." She'd been talking about what was inside of him, not outside. "You need to quit talking like that," she warned him as he said he didn't know if he deserved anything. "Because I will not hear someone I care so much about talked about in that way." She hated hearing that sort of thing. Eric deserved to love and be loved, and to be happy, and nothing less. Laughing quietly as he licked and bit her fingers, she let him, letting her fingertips explored the lips she loved kissing so much. "We'll learn together," she offered, not at all frightened by the prospect, only excited. "It'll be like an adventure. Sort of."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Sept 1, 2010, 11:01pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Eric's blue eyes couldn't help but roll as Sookie decided the Herveauxs were 'nice.' Though there were many, many ways the Viking would consider describing the father-son duo, nice was not one of them. Not even close. Then again, he didn't think either one of the Weres would describe him very flatteringly. Jackson perhaps. The elder Were seemed to find Eric more tolerable since the time he had randomly decided to kidnap Halleigh Robinson for a few nights. "Alcide is an annoying, condescending prick with a perpetual pout who really must learn to better control his temper if he doesn't want the world aware of his... condition before it is ready to," he corrected. "And Jackson is a drunk with compulsion and anger management issues." Eric had a few anger management issues of his own though, so he couldn't judge that particular trait much. "I will have the security system seen to as well as your porch, but you can think of nothing else?" he asked, almost pouting himself. The old farmhouse could do well with a lot of work, at least in the vampire's opinion, but he was lucky Sookie was letting him do this much. Her pride on such issues was endearing, if not incredibly inconvenient and unnecessary.
Letting his eyes fall closed as Sookie's warm lips began tracing across his jaw, his head tilted back slightly, allowing her more room as his chest nearly rumbled, the Viking fighting the urge to practically purr in contentment. Having Sookie so near him, touching him, her warmth enveloping him, felt right. There was nothing else he wanted to do, no where else he wanted to be, no one else he wanted to be with. The moment felt right. Keeping his eyes closed as she attempted to describe what genuine happiness felt like, he let out a thoughtful "hmmm," considering her words. "If I were to be reliving a single moment over and over again because it made me feel such a way, I imagine it would be a moment I was naked." He couldn't really stop the smirk from forming on his lips at his words and slowly, he cracked open his eyes. "Don't worry, you would be there and naked as well." Pausing for a moment, he opened his eyes fully. "Why are we not naked now? I could have you much more satisfied."
The vampire found himself momentarily speechless as Sookie seemingly took control of her own situation and claimed her feelings and heart back for herself. Sure, it was exactly what Eric wanted, both for himself and for her, but he hadn't expected the telepath to show such strength so quickly. "Bill was so wrong about you," he thought aloud, his words no more than a whisper as he looked into her face. Of course, Eric had always thought so. He didn't really think anything Bill thought was very accurate, but he had never been more wrong than he had been about her. The Civil War relic had always seemingly done all he could to hide Sookie from the world, to conceal her and hide her away under the guise of protecting her, but she didn't need it. She was strong, more strong than humans had the right to be. There was no stifling Sookie Stackhouse. She was a force to be reckoned with and as he snapped himself from his thoughts and met her gaze, he found himself smiling. He was the same way. "You are very impressive, lover. I..." His brow wrinkled as he tried to think of the proper way to identify what he felt. "I admire you."
The vampire could only smirk in approval, his lips continuing to devour Sookie's hands as she agreed, perhaps a touch sarcastically, about how good he was. "I knew eventually you would say such a thing," he stated confidently, his words somewhat muted by his assault on her hands. "And it's so accurate, who could argue with you?" Considering how often and how intently Sookie had rejected him, he felt the ego boosts were entirely in order and necessary. Listening as Sookie insisted she didn't like hearing what he had to say, the vampire arched a brow, and once more found himself almost taken aback. The way she made him sound startled him. He was insecure. It washed over him in a way that left him blinking, his eyes slightly widened. What had this girl done to him? Blinking it back to think on later, he offered her a smile. "You will not hear of it again," he vowed, and he'd do his best to keep that promise. "And I'm a fast learner who happens to like adventures. It will work well."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Sept 2, 2010, 2:56am
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Sookie's eyes must've gone wide as Eric began describing what he felt the Herveaux's faults were. "That's pretty harsh, Eric," she disagreed with a shake of her head. "I've only met them a few times, but at least Alcide's put his neck on the line for you, and they both helped find you when you... went missing," she finished lamely, shaking away thoughts of the night. "Well, Alcide did. I'm not sure what happened to Jackson." He must've wandered off or something, she just wasn't sure. Alcide had looked for Eric though, and that earned him points in her book. She could agree to the security system, and she wasn't sure what he was talking about with her porch, but she shook her head stubbornly as he asked if there was anything else she could think of. "The house will do just fine. Nothing's broken or leaking, nothing needs fixing, so it's fine." She kept up the house when she could, but now if she was going to do all these other things, she just couldn't afford unneeded repairs, and she wasn't about to let Eric pay for them. He was paying for too much already, even if he said it was okay. She wouldn't be comfortable with letting him do more.
Smiling against Eric's skin as her lips traced over his jaw and down to his neck, Sookie laughed softly, her fingers trailing over his sides. She could feel just how content was, both through their bond and by the rumbling in his chest that had Sookie smiling. She loved him just like this, relaxed and unconcerned about anything else, simply living in the moment and enjoying it. She was convinced that this was the key to being happy, to just enjoying himself in a way he didn't seem to get to often. Laughing harder as Eric decided he wanted to relive only naked moments, only to ask why they weren't naked now, Sookie shook her head. "Because we just finished dinner," she explained, amused. "And fine, we can relive only naked moments." It wasn't like she would mind that. She was happy with Eric when naked or clothed, pretty much no matter what situation they were in, especially when it was just the two of them.
Sookie could feel Eric's surprise after she spoke, but she didn't actually understand it. For all Eric's complaining that he didn't understand her emotions, his could be just as unexpected and hard to figure out. Studying him curiously as Eric said that Bill was wrong about her, she certainly hoped so since the younger vampire didn't seem to have a very high opinion of her, but she didn't understand what exactly he meant. Still, she took his smile as a good sign as she tucked her head onto his shoulder, looking up at him. "I'm impressive?" she repeated, still not seeing how, and certainly not getting why he admired her. He was Eric Northman. She was just herself. "Well, thank you," she replied, a bit stunned, but unable to refuse the compliment when it was one as significant as that. "I'm not sure why, though," she admitted, reaching down for his hand and lacing their fingers together. Admiration from Eric couldn't come easy, she just wasn't sure what she had done to earn it.
Very nearly giggling as Eric continued to lick and bite her fingers, Sookie really did believe that all of Eric was perfect, but she had meant that what was inside him was good, despite what he thought. He was far too critical of himself in some ways, and it sort of surprised her. She supposed everyone had negative thoughts about themselves, she just never would've expected it from Eric. "I've never thought you were anything less than perfect physically," she argued, since she'd had more of a problem with his personality before. "But I think you're amazing, inside and out, so I won't hear that you don't deserve something." He certainly wouldn't want to hear it from her. Smiling as he promised not to speak of it again, she took her fingers from his mouth so she could lean up to kiss him. "I didn't think you would be so open to the idea. I was all nervous about telling you..."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Sept 2, 2010, 4:39am
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Eyebrow arching, Eric couldn't help but wonder what made Sookie have such a high opinion of the Herveauxs. They didn't deserve it, he was certain of that much, but he was definitely curious. "Alcide 'stuck his neck out for me' to repay a hefty debt his father owed me," the Viking corrected. "It was not a willing service he performed, but instead the fulfillment of an obligation... and really, I was being very generous to accept that and not demand more." Frowning slightly at the mention of what he liked to think of as his unwilling vacation, the Viking's pride took a beating being reminded Weres contributed to his rescue. He probably would have rather been drained than owe the moon mutts for that. Instead of even acknowledging such, he let out a sigh and focused on her home improvements instead. Really, he was fortunate Sookie was letting him cover as much as she was, but Eric couldn't say he understood what the concern was. Money meant nothing to him. It was something he had and didn't care about. He wanted to provide her with things she needed or wanted and to take care of her. It made him happy to do so. "Would you tell me if anything more needed doing?" he asked curiously. "Honestly?" He wanted to break her of the habit of not informing him of any financial issue she faced until it had already overwhelmed her and she yelled at him for it...
Eric could actually feel the smile on Sookie's lips as they pressed against his cool skin, blazing a hot trail across his face in a way that left him only wanting more. Even her breath on his face was a welcome thing, and he found himself inhaling the scent of her, never wanting to be without it. Letting his eyes focus on her, his eyebrow arch as she explained why they weren't yet naked, the vampire was eager to get to the part of the night where they were. "How much time is required to pass after your dinner before we can be naked?" he couldn't help but inquire. "Is it a matter of letting your food settle or something?" He had heard of such things. Humans had such sensitive systems. It was something Pam reminded him of regularly. "Because I am ready to be naked, and to create more moments."
Turning his head as Sookie nestled into his shoulder, the vampire did his best to keep his eyes on hers. She seemed to be studying his face as he studied her own, a soft smile on his lips. "Yes, you are impressive," he confirmed, though he frowned slightly as she seemed to struggle with seeing how his words were true. How did he explain it? Sookie never seemed to understand how Eric saw her, she always seemed to believe his view of her was half nonsense, but he didn't want that, especially not for this. "Most would be broken," he began slowly, lifting the hands she had just interlaced to his lips in order to kiss. "Changed." Damaged. "It could be an excuse. Most would use it, but you are not most. You are very strong. It is admirable."
He loved the sound of her laugh. There was no other word for it. It was so full of life and so genuine and such a brilliant sound, it brought a smile to his lips.Chuckling into her hands himself as she continued to praise him whether she meant to or not, did he deserve her? Eric didn't like thinking of himself as insecure, it truly did unsettle him, but he didn't know that he did. He had wanted her, he had been determined to get her, and he had, but that didn't mean he was truly deserving of her and all she offered. He struggled with feelings, they weren't something he wanted or needed, they seemed to be the downfall of so many vampires, but Sookie was free with her emotions, she shared them with him without reservation. She cared for him, deeply. She felt love for him. He didn't deserve that. He never would. Was he selfish enough to want to keep her though, despite knowing he didn't deserve what she offered him? Yes, he was. Meeting her lips as she sought his own, he smiled against them. "I am open to many things... especially when you are involved. Never be nervous of telling me anything, my lover. Never."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Sept 2, 2010, 4:21pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Shaking her head as Eric said that Alcide had only helped Eric because he owed him a debt, Sookie just couldn't see it that way. "He's helped you a bunch of times, now. I'm sure it would've been easier for him just to pay back whatever debt he owed you in money, but he's really helped you guys. He also could've agreed to help and then decided not to be useful or anything, and he didn't do that. He did the right thing." Sookie liked him for it, even if he was a little unnecessarily grumpy about vampires. Eric didn't seem to want to talk about that, though, and Sookie sighed quietly as Eric asked if she would tell him if anything else needed doing. "Maybe," she decided, though it wasn't a particularly honest maybe. "It's an old house, Eric. Things are always gonna be falling apart. It wouldn't be at all fair for me to expect you to fix it every time something breaks, or to pay someone else to fix it," she amended, before he could point out the alternative. "Doing this much is more than generous of you."
Smiling into Eric's neck as she trailed kisses over his skin, Sookie trailed her fingers over his chest, pressing as close to him as she could. "No, it's not a matter of letting the food settle," she laughed, sure that he could hear her even if her voice was a little muffled against his skin. "It's a matter of having to clear the table and do the dishes first," she clarified, not wanting to get out of his lap to do exactly that, but knowing she just couldn't leave the dishes to sit out overnight when Hundr would most likely get to them. "We can be naked soon," she assured him as her lips trailed back up to his jaw. "Even sooner if you'd like to help me with the dishes." She wasn't sure Eric had ever actually done dishes, but she was sure he was anxious to get naked, and that was the fastest way.
Sookie still wasn't sure she was actually impressive, but she felt that Eric believed it. Watching him as he seemed to decide how to explain, she sighed quietly as he finally did. Shaking her head, Sookie knew that he was probably right, but it just wasn't how she worked. "Eric, if I broke down every time someone I trusted turned out to be a sociopath, there'd be nothing left of me," she admitted, only really partially joking. It was true, even if it sounded ridiculous. It had happened more times than she was actually comfortable with. "Besides, what would I use it as an excuse for? To stay inside my house and be miserable all the time? To be too afraid to have new relationships, to look for love elsewhere? Not to trust anyone again? That's no way to live, and it certainly wouldn't make me happy. That doesn't make dealing with it any easier, but I know I'll heal. I have to." There really wasn't any question in her mind that she could, would, and needed to move on with her life.
Feeling things from Eric through the bond was a pretty strange sensation. It was really different from reading thoughts. She'd always had other people in her head, whether she wanted to or not, but this was nothing like that. She could tell his feelings, but not the thoughts that caused them. It could be really puzzling sometimes. But now, she could feel that his emotions hadn't really changed, even when she told him she didn't want to hear about him not deserving things again. She was willing to bet that his mind was still on it. She hated that he could think those things of himself. Love seemed to be something that truly puzzled Eric Northman, and unfortunately, she didn't think anything she said would change that. She'd just have to show him, and that would take time. Smiling as Eric assured her that she didn't need to be nervous, Sookie nodded, seeing that now. "I'll try," she promised him, knowing she'd probably be nervous anyway, but that she'd still tell him. "You'll really stay tonight? And sleep here?"
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Sept 2, 2010, 7:57pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Eric's blond eyebrow shot up his forehead as he looked disbelievingly at Sookie. Alcide had helped him 'a bunch' of times? No, no he definitely hadn't, but the telepath seemed to have some weakness for Weres. It probably had something to do with that damn Shifter she worked for. "You overestimate his generosity while underestimating my own," he stated easily. "If the debt could have been repaid in money, it would have been." Jackson Herveaux's gambling issues, however, were too severe for that. The debt would have bankrupted the family, their business and holdings lost. Everyone had a weakness, it was just a matter of discovering it. Jackson's weakness was cards and alcohol, and Alcide's weakness seemed to be Jackson. "Any further generosity the mutt has shown me has not been his doing, but that of an elementary school teacher's." The Viking was aware that his former prisoner Halleigh considered him a 'friend,' which was almost a shame. Eric had wanted to consider her a sexual conquest. "Do you know Halleigh Robinson?" he asked after a moment. Bon Temps didn't seem big enough for even humans to be oblivious of other residents. Hopefully Sookie hadn't heard any gossip about the teacher suddenly missing for a few days after being taken from her home in the middle of the night in a Corvette...
The Viking didn't believe Sookie's 'maybe' at all and he was sure the skeptical look on his face said just that. If she was going to begin lying to him when he specifically asked for honesty, they were going to have problems very quickly. He had practiced an extraordinary amount of patience with her, but there were some things he had none for. "It has nothing to do with generosity," he countered with a small shake of his head, lifting her from his lap and standing, setting her feet on the kitchen floor before heading to the sink. "I don't want you to have want," he stated, filling her sink with soap and water. It really wasn't often he did dishes, but anything that helped him get naked sooner, he'd do. "I don't want you to go without. It doesn't always have to be a struggle. Call it selfish on my part," he offered with a shrug before turning to the table, gathering up the dirty plates from each of their settings and carrying them back to the sink. He was selfish. "But I enjoy helping you."
Scrubbing at one of the plates without hesitation, Eric was glad there was no one but Sookie present to witness this domestic moment on his part. The Sheriff of Area Five doing a human's dishes... He didn't know exactly when their discussion shifted from being very playful to a debate, but such a thing seemed to constantly happen with them, though he preferred it happening in the opposite way. After all, he had been complimenting her, not demanding a defensive explanation. Letting out a sigh, he faced the window overlooking her sink while rinsing off the dishes. "Yes, that is exactly what you could use it as an excuse for," he answered with a shrug. "And most would. I do not think it is right, but most would because it is easy and safe. Do I think such a thing is right? No, not at all, but the fact that you are not willing to take such an easy route speaks volumes. Nothing worth having is ever easy, but few are willing to put in the work required for something difficult. You do not need to sound as if you are resigned to your struggle when the fact you are willing to take it on is extraordinary in itself. You do not need to always underestimate yourself and your qualities."
Pulling the dishes from the sink and drying them with a speed Sookie couldn't manage, he stacked the clean plates on an empty space on her cabinets, unsure of where they belonged as he did his best to push his own insecurities out of his mind before turning back to the table and grabbing more of the abandoned, used dinnerware. "Thank you," he offered with a small smile, meeting her gaze for a moment before turning back to the sink once more. "Why is it so surprising I would stay?" he asked, somewhat perplexed by that. "But yes, to both. Of course, if the Weres are able to work tomorrow, I will trust you will not tell them where I am." They would know Eric was somewhere near since his Corvette was parked in her driveway, but he didn't really wanting them knowing anymore than that. "It has been a long week and I have missed you." It was almost strange to admit that again, but it was true. "And I really do have business to attend to here in Bon Temps. I don't expect you to house me the entire time I am conducting it, but I will be around and easily reachable." Pausing for a moment, he looked over his shoulder and back to her. "Is that a bad thing?"
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Sept 2, 2010, 10:28pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
It was pretty clear that Eric didn't agree with her when it came to Alcide, but Sookie thought that he was a good guy. That he'd do whatever it took to help his father out of debt spoke volumes to Sookie, even if Eric didn't see it that way. Placing a kiss on Eric's cheek, she shook her head, not wanting to upset him with all this talk about Weres when vampires clearly had a fairly blind prejudice against them. She didn't understand it, but she knew it was there. "Of course I know Halleigh," she answered with a nod and a smile. "She's a few years younger than me, but we're close enough in age that we pretty much grew up together. I see her in Merlotte's all the time now too. Really sweet girl. Pretty much everyone loves her." Not Jackson, but Sookie liked her plenty. "You know her through Alcide?"
Frowning at Eric's skeptical look, Sookie shook her head. "I'd tell you if I really had to," she clarified, knowing that was enough to qualify for a maybe. She didn't like asking anyone else for help, but she'd mentioned the car to Eric, and she hadn't refused the security system. She wasn't entirely unreasonable. If there was something really dire she needed, she'd ask. Practically pouting as he lifted her from his lap, she helped bring dishes to the sink, quickly catching onto what he was doing. His explanation made her smile, though. "It's not selfish, it's generous," she argued, finally sighing. Eric really was being so good to her, and for all the right reasons. "I'll make up a list of some things that need fixing in the morning, before they get here," she finally gave in, placing a kiss on his shoulder as she passed him on the way to the sink. "I do appreciate the help."
Smiling as she stood next to Eric at the sink, she couldn't believe Eric was actually helping her do the dishes, but Sookie was very grateful. "I didn't mean to sound upset," she clarified, sighing at the idea that she'd upset Eric while just trying to explain herself. Putting the dish she was scrubbing off to the side, she dried her hands before wrapping her arms around him. "Part of the reason I know I can heal is because you're helping me," she told him with a kiss to his cheek before releasing him to pick up the next dish. She knew it frustrated Eric when she underestimated herself, but she just couldn't see herself the way he did. She was honestly trying, though, and she hadn't meant to upset him. Scooping up a handful of bubbles, she blew some of them at him, trying to get that smile back. Even if she hadn't known she was falling in love with him, she'd know she loved the smile he seemed to have reserved just for her. If nothing else, she had to risk getting hurt again for that.
Blinking at the speed of Eric's dish drying, Sookie leaned back against the counter as she watched him put the dishes away, unable to stop smiling. She never thought she'd get to wash dishes with someone she was in a relationship with, not after she found out she could really only date vampires. She didn't think she'd be able to cook for one either, and here she was, just finishing cleaning up a meal she made for a vampire, with the very same vampire helping her clean the dishes. She didn't know why that had such a profound impact on her, but it did. "I'm just excited," she answered with a small shrug, not actually surprised that he would stay, but happy about it. It had been a very long week away from him, and she had missed him a lot, but she couldn't help but wonder why he'd stayed away. "I'd be thrilled if you stayed with me the whole time," she answered quickly, very much hoping he would. It'd be silly for him to be in Bon Temps but not with her. "I mean, if you want to." Maybe he needed space? She hoped not. "I want you to stay. I love it when you stay over, and it'll be even better when you can just stay in my room."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Sept 2, 2010, 11:50pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Listening as Sookie described the elementary teacher Eric had kidnapped, the vampire couldn't really stop a small smirk from forming on his lips at her question to him. "Something like that, yes," he answered somewhat ambiguously. "I was giving Alcide a ride somewhere, his phone rang, it was Halleigh, and he was... indisposed at the time, so I spoke to her," he answered, biting back a chuckle. Alcide had been 'riding' in the trunk of Eric's car and was 'indisposed' because Eric's Deputy had punched him until the Were was unconscious. "We hit it off immediately." She had told him he was 'mean' and demanded apologies for his language, which she chastised him for like no other would ever dare. "I've had a few encounters with her since then. I much prefer her to the Herveauxs." And he had a weakness for blonde human women who resisted his charms, though his eye wasn't really wandering at present. "Are the two of you friends?" He almost hoped they weren't. He didn't know how Sookie might react to learning Halleigh had been in his bed before her... even if it was only to watch a movie.
"You would tell me if you really had to?" Eric echoed back, arching an eyebrow as she frowned at him, the two of them seemingly reaching an impasse as he focused his gaze on the dishes in the sink in front of him. "Shouldn't you desire to tell me these things if they bother and burden you? Not simply be required to do so?" Eric hardly made it a secret he knew next to nothing about relationships, the waters he presently found himself were entirely unchartered by him, but Pam had that strange addiction to the newspaper columnist who offered ridiculous advice his child would willingly rattle off at the drop of a hat. He was pretty sure she often mentioned communication and other bullshit Eric could only roll his eyes at in the past. Where was Pam now that he needed her to explain the complexities of it all to him? "I would appreciate that," he stated as she decided she'd make a list of what needed work, his head tilting to rest against the top of hers as she kissed his shoulder. He really didn't want her to go without, not when she didn't have to.
Pushing the sleeves of his shirt up higher to keep them out of the warm, rapidly dirtying water as he washed the dishes that had cluttered the table and counter, this was closer to food than Eric had been in quite a while. Bending slightly as Sookie sought out his cheek in order to help her, he took the dish from her hands and began scrubbing it. "You sounded as if you need to justify being strong in this," he stated, rinsing the dish out once it was thoroughly clear of it's debris before drying it off with a towel. "You do not. Your strength is exceptional, something you should be proud of. You do not have to explain it to me or anyone else." He wasn't Bill. He wasn't going to insist she needed to stay away from things and just accept the outcome, she didn't have to get him to accept she could do more. Looking down as Sookie blew some of the bubbles from the sink from her palm onto the front of his shirt, Eric's brow arched, the corners of his lips pulling upward into a small smile. "What do you think you are doing?" he asked, a small glint in his eyes. "If you are declaring some kind of war, I assure you, you have no idea what you are getting into, lover."
Finishing off the remaining dishes, Eric couldn't believe two humans and a vampire could go through so many pieces of dinnerware, but Sookie had clearly gone all out in her preparations and offerings for the evening. Opening a few of the cupboards, surveying what laid within before putting the appropriate dishes within, the vampire felt Sookie's eyes intently on him and his head turned to look at her. "Is something wrong?" he asked, though he didn't recognize her feelings as being negative, and she was certainly smiling. Opening drawers and other cupboards, memorizing the layout of her kitchen while doing so, he returned everything to it's proper place before wiping down the counters. Cleanliness was something of the utmost importance to the Viking. Draining the sink as she spoke, he rinsed it out before drying his hands and coming to stand in front of her. Gripping her hips, he lifted her from leaning against the counter to sitting atop it, putting them more at eye level. "I will stay with you if you would like me to," he answered. He'd really rather not stay with Jessica anyway, especially when Sookie would be so near. "I will need to return to Shreveport throughout. I have nothing here with me, but I can spend my days here and do so after dark. I do not wish to be an imposition to you." He wanted to be many things to Sookie, but that would never be one of them.
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Sept 3, 2010, 12:46am
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
Raising her eyebrows at what Eric felt as she described Halleigh, Sookie was sure she didn't want to know what had really happened that Eric was clearly glossing over. "I'm sure that's what happened," she agreed, though she didn't believe him even a little bit. Halleigh was completely loyal to Alcide, anyone who knew them even a little bit knew that, so she was sure nothing had happened between her and Eric, but she was still sure there was more to that story. "I guess we're sort of friends. Not close or anything, but we'll have coffee and chat once in a while." She wasn't sure Eric was really brushed up on levels of friendships between girls, so she didn't know if he'd get it. "I'd suggest maybe double dating with her and Alcide, but somehow I think I know what that answer would be." Eric clearly seriously disliked Alcide, so that was out. It was too bad, they were a sweet couple.
"It sounds worse when you say it," Sookie admitted, ducking her head a little and focusing on the dishes. "I just..." Sighing, she struggled to find the words to explain why she couldn't just tell Eric when she needed something. "I've never had someone to take care of me like that." She'd had a job since she was young to help Gran take care of things around the house, and once she started making enough money, she was the one taking care of her grandmother. "I don't want to become some burden to you. I can't afford a bunch of repairs right now, and I'd feel so strange asking you to do it for me. I've never asked anyone to take over my responsibilities." She knew he just wanted to help take care of her, though, and that his motives came from a truly generous place. That meant more than holding onto her pride, so she could put together some list of things that really did need fixing. She'd just told him how much she liked taking care of him, so she couldn't very well turn around and say he couldn't take care of her. "I'll have everything set up by the time they get here," she told him, not wanting to let him down, even if it meant swallowing some of her pride.
Smiling a little as Eric took the dish from her hands, Sookie let him wash the dish, admiring the way his arms moved as he scrubbed. He had great arms. "I wasn't rationalizing being strong in this. I was just repeating what I've been telling myself all week." She'd had to convince herself to be strong, that she was strong, even if she didn't have to convince Eric of it. "I don't mind explaining myself to you anyway," she told him with a small smile, rinsing out the glasses. Laughing as the bubbles landed on Eric, Sookie scooped up a fingerful of bubbles and deposited them on Eric's nose. "Just playing," she answered as he asked what she was doing, biting her lip as she took a step back. "Can't fight a war with bubbles." Well, Eric might be able to.
Shaking her head as Eric asked if anything was wrong, Sookie couldn't rid herself of a small smile. "No, it's completely right," she answered, kind of in awe of how true it was. Never in her life did Sookie expect that she could have anything that remotely resembled a normal relationship. Her relationship with Eric wasn't normal or typical, that was for sure, but there were things about it, really just moments, that struck her as exactly what she always wanted. She and the man she was falling in love with were cleaning up after dinner with her brother. Even if the man she was falling for was a vampire, it didn't really get more traditional than that. She liked it a lot. "I'd like you to," she answered honestly, wondering what it'd be like to play house with Eric for a little while. "You won't be an imposition at all," she assured him, pulling him closer to her as she sat on the countertop. "It'll be great having you so close for so long. You could even keep some things here for your stay, if you'd like. Maybe even leave some for next time you get to stay over."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Sept 3, 2010, 1:54am
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
The chuckle that Eric had successfully bit back while generously describing how he had met the Bon Temps schoolteacher finally escaped him at the doubtful look Sookie gave, her skepticism both obvious in her words and demeanor. "She thinks I have a foul mouth and that I am mean," he offered with a guiltless shrug of his shoulders. He was mean and he had a foul mouth. In the grand scheme of things, Halleigh knew him well. "Also, my newborn and I kidnapped her for a few nights a couple months ago, just to piss Alcide off. I did not harm her or anything of the sort," he added before he could get lectured, though he had a feeling Sookie would point out how he shouldn't do such a thing anyway. "We just went shopping and watched movies. She insists I am her friend." Arching his brow as Sookie suggested they double date with the Were-human couple, their most recent and unwilling attempt at double dating hadn't exactly been a good experience, but the more the Viking let the idea mull through his head, the more defined his smirk became. "Oh yes, let's," he decided with a smile. "Alcide would be miserable. It sounds like fun."
Turning his head to look at Sookie at the sink beside him as she seemed to attempt to hide from his gaze, he frowned slightly. "They were your own words," he pointed out without hesitation. Eric wasn't the kind of vampire who shied away from confrontation or glossed over issues that needed to be addressed. He was too stubborn for such a thing, and this was obviously an issue between the two of them. Turning to face her, he listened as she explained, his head shaking before she even completed her spoken thoughts. "Lover, I am not attempting to rob you of your responsibilities and I know you are self sufficient and capable of providing for yourself. I will never make a claim to the contrary, but what you cannot do, I want to help with. I do not want you burdened. I do not want you regularly scrambling for work and money, not when I can take care of these things. I want time for us, time for us when you are not thinking of anything but me, not worrying and distracted by something so trivial." He still fully believed his acts were selfish, but he didn't care. It was true. "I want to help you. I want you to be comfortable with me helping you. I want you to be comfortable coming to me for help. You deserve nice things. I want to be able to give you such without being refused, because it pleases me to be able to share what I have with you."
Arching a brow and glancing up from the dishwater his hands were focused in to look over at the telepath as she continued to explain, he sighed quietly to himself. "Then you must not sound so defeated and defensive already," he insisted easily enough. Meeting her gaze, his blue eyes locked with her own and he smiled slightly. "You are an exceptionally strong human, an exceptionally strong woman, and one I am proud to call my lover." Taking pride in his human was a new territory for the vampire really, but with Sookie, he truly was proud, even if she did things he didn't understand, like blow dish soap at him. Wrinkling his nose and blinking as she scooped the soap onto his nose, the vampire's senses were overwhelmed by the smell and he quickly brushed it on his arm, his nose still wrinkling. "I like to play," he decided, itching his nose despite never itching. "And I can fight a war with anything. Don't underestimate me."
His eyebrow remained arched as Sookie insisted everything was right, the expression on her face and the feelings he was recognizing strange to him, but he offered her a smile. "Good then," he decided, even if he didn't understand what had made her so happy. "Are you going to tell me what is 'completely right'?" he asked, unable to keep himself from being at least a little curious. Closing a cabinet door as she pulled her closer to him, he came to rest between her legs, his arms snaking around her hips as she sat on the counter, his eyes lingering on hers as she insisted he should stay. "Then I will stay here with you." It would probably be good for him to see if he could keep her near and still get the work done that he needed to do or if she was too much of a temptation for him to overcome. "It will only be a week or so," he countered with a smile as she insisted he'd be close for 'so long,' but considering they often saw very little of one another, he supposed it fit. "I could do that. I may have someone simply bring me what I require so I can focus on completing my business here without running back." There would be quite a few vampires who'd leap at the opportunity to bring Eric some of his belongings if it meant they got to spend the night going through Compton's shit. "If you are sure you are comfortable with that."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Sept 3, 2010, 2:29pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
"That sounds more like it," Sookie decided with a laugh to match Eric's as he told her what Halleigh really thought of him. "She would think that of you." Halleigh kind of treated everyone like her students, but considering the population of Bon Temps, it almost worked. His next confession was less expected, though. "You kidnapped Halleigh?! You and your children can't just go around kidnapping everyone in Bon Temps!" Halleigh was the second one she knew of now. Even now, no one had heard from Ryan. At least it sounds like Halleigh's had been a relatively tame kidnapping. "Well, that's good," she finally decided, since Eric really could use more friends who were genuinely good people, and not after something from him. "You know the purpose of a double date isn't to make the other couple miserable," she pointed out with a shake of her head, but she'd talk to Alcide about it when he came by.
"I know that," Sookie admitted as Eric reminded her that it was her own words that had sounded bad. Eric's generosity really did come from the right place, whether he thought so or not. It was hard to argue with that when he wasn't trying to imply that she couldn't take care of herself, just that he wanted to help her. This sort of thing wasn't trivial to her, she'd always had to work hard for everything, and she was okay with that, but this was obviously something that was important to Eric. He almost seemed insulted when she didn't take his help, and she didn't want that. Arguing with him every time he wanted to do something nice for her did seem a little petty, and she didn't want him to think she wasn't grateful. She was, it was just all so new. "I'll really try to let you help more," she finally agreed, though it was hard for her. "Just go easy on me. Letting anyone help is very new for me." It wasn't like Bill had ever offered, and she probably wouldn't have accepted anything from him if he did. Eric didn't look down at her for being a waitress, though, or for not coming from a lot of money. He genuinely wanted to help take care of her, and she got that.
It was so strange to be having this sort of discussion while Eric was doing the dishes, but Sookie had to smile a little as he did, despite the absurdity of it. "Thank you," she replied quietly as he called her exceptionally strong, kind of amazed that he actually saw her that way, but incredibly pleased that he was proud of her. She imagined it took a lot for Eric to actually be proud to call someone his, and Sookie really liked that he did with her. Laughing as he itched at his nose, Sookie took pity on him and wiped the bubbles from his face, unable to rid herself of her smile. "You know, I don't doubt that," she decided as he assured her that he could fight a war with anything. "I might have to challenge you to a bubble war next time we take a bath." Not now, though. She really liked the shirt he was wearing, and she didn't want to ruin it.
Smiling as Eric finally asked her to explain herself, Sookie wondered just how to do that. "I just never thought I'd get to have this. You know, washing dishes with my man after cooking a meal for everyone. It's not exactly traditional," she clarified, since her man was technically a vampire. "But that's a good thing." She hadn't thought she'd get to have this because of her ability. It'd be awful to make dinner for a boyfriend only to hear that this dish was overcooked and another underseasoned because he couldn't control his thoughts, or that he didn't like her family or something. With Eric, everything was so quiet, almost more normal than things would've been with a human boyfriend. Besides, she liked everything Eric was, inside and out. She'd meant that. She wouldn't have traded him for any human man. "Good," she agreed as he decided to stay, smiling as he came to rest between her legs. "A week is a while," she disagreed, running her hands up his arms as they wound around her hips. "I'd be completely comfortable with it. I have more than enough space for you to leave whatever you want here." Sookie wasn't one of those girls who actually used all her closet space, and she had all that room in the spare bedroom too. "If someone could drop your things off, that'd mean more time for us... and your business, of course." Whatever that happened to be. She wasn't going to pry.
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Sept 3, 2010, 7:50pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
Eric really needed to tell Sookie when he kidnapped people more often, her reactions were so precious. "Why not?" he asked, genuinely curious. "Not that Bon Temps is full of humans I am eager to kidnap, but I see no reason why I shouldn't have 'borrowed' the few humans that I have." Borrowed seemed like it would be less offensive to Sookie than kidnapped. It wasn't as if he had kidnapped many in Bon Temps. There had been the schoolteacher who had stayed in Eric's home, the addict who had become Bianca's pet and was still within her own home, and then the flaming fry cook of Merlotte's who had needed to be held responsible for some of his actions. Really, he was half sure that in the long run, everyone he had taken from Bon Temps had been grateful for a chance to get out of the podunk town for a bit. Shrugging his shoulders as Sookie decided it was good that Halleigh considered him a friend, in truth, Eric had avoided her since her imprisonment. She had leaked a lot and rejected him too much for his liking... and he didn't have friends. "What is the purpose of a double date then?" he asked. After the dinner with Bianca and Liam, Eric was pretty sure making the other couple uncomfortable and miserable was part of the ritual.
Things were easy for Eric to part with. Money meant nothing to him. It was something he had and something he could use, but it went no deeper than that. He loathed the fact that it created some kind of division between himself and Sookie anytime she seemed to think on it, especially since it was something he was so willing to share. She had said time and time again that she wanted him and wanted her to share with him, something he was trying to do, but it was a struggle for the vampire to surrender much of himself to another when the voice of self preservation in his head warned him of the consequences. Sharing of things was easier, but when he attempted to do such a thing and was only pushed further away or scolded, it made it even more difficult to risk sharing something that wasn't tangible. "I know," he acknowledged with a single nod of his head as she reminded him letting anyone help her was new for her. "It is new to me to want to help another." He was obligated often, but that tended to be the only reason he aided another. "But I will attempt to 'go easy on you,' if you will do the same for me," he offered, the turn of phrase not one he normally would use, but he understood it well enough. He could be gentle if she wouldn't fight him every step of the way.
Wrinkling his nose a few more times as Sookie's warm hands wiped the soap bubbles away from his nose, the Viking allowed himself to mimic the smile on her face once he was free from the offending suds. "Have you ever experienced snow?" he asked, his excitement at the question perhaps a touch too obvious. When thinking of untraditional things to battle with, it was really little surprise one of his favorite things in the world leaked into his thoughts. "My newborn had never experienced it before his turning," he thought aloud. "I changed that after his end and took him to Sweden. We warred for many hours throughout the nights with it." Humans who spent their lives in the south didn't know what they were missing. Eyebrows lifting as Sookie mentioned a bath, the vampire smirked. "Now?" Now would work for him. He was ready to be naked.
Keeping his hands on her hips, waiting for her to explain what happened to be 'completely right' so she was smiling in such a genuine way, his own expression remained mostly blank. An eyebrow immediately quirked at her answer, one corner of his mouth twitching upward into an amused smirk as she spoke. "Your man?" he repeated, those words taking precedent with him over all others in her explanation. "You think of me as 'your man'?" In Eric's opinion, he wasn't so much a man as a vampire, but he couldn't help but be a little amused. He had claimed Sookie, she was his, but she had never claimed him so blatantly in turn. Was he hers? Yes, he was positive he was, as strange and as abnormal as that was to him. He liked the idea of her being as possessive of him as he was of her. "A week is a while?" he repeated doubtfully. Eric was over a thousand years old, a week was nothing to him, and he didn't plan on leaving Sookie's life in the near or distant future. If a week was a lengthy period of time, he didn't know if her intentions were the same, but he wasn't going to think of it now. "Then I will have someone deliver me what I need." Pausing as she mentioned his business, though he didn't want to discuss Bill, he didn't think it would do them favors to keep secrets either, not when he was trying to prove he was nothing like her former lover. "I am investigating my investigator," he explained. "Going through his things and holdings. I will only be across the cemetery if I am needed or if you just wish to see me... or tear through his belongings without regard..."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by Sookie Stackhouse on Sept 3, 2010, 10:19pm
s o o k i e s t a c k h o u s e .
So rather than hold on to a broken dream, I'll just hold on to love
And I can find a way to make it, won't hold on too tight
"Because people have lives, and things they need to do. People aren't objects to be borrowed whenever you feel like, Eric," Sookie lectured with a shake of his head, though he obviously disagreed. Her lecture probably wouldn't persuade him otherwise, either. Eric was a vampire, through and through, and so his thinking was clearly different from anyone else's that she knew. Well, at least any other human's. Even the idea of borrowing humans was ridiculous in her mind. Laughing as Eric asked what the purpose of a double date was, she could see how it would be confusing given his experience with them, but it really wasn't a hard concept. "The purpose of a double date is to have a good time out with another couple," she told him, though she would've thought that was obvious. Maybe not, considering the last double date they were on as a couple.
Sookie was sure that Eric really did know that it was difficult for her to give up any of her pride when it came to letting anyone do things for her, considering she fought him pretty much every step of the way, and she was sure that it was equally obvious how new such a thing was for her. She wondered if he really understood it, though. He was a vampire who must've accumulated an amount of money she wasn't sure she could fathom over an amount of time she knew she couldn't begin to imagine. She'd had the same house to take care of for most of her life, and people who depended on her up until recently. "I can do the same for you," she agreed, knowing that she could be difficult a lot of the time, and that Eric really was trying to be good to her. She could at least help him with that. It wouldn't be easy for her to let Eric do these sorts of things for her, but it was clear he really wanted to. "I promise to try to be less of a pain in the ass." She knew she was.
Not even trying to fight her own laughter as Eric's nose wrinkled as Sookie wiped the bubbles from it, she was glad to see the smile appear on his lips as soon as it was all gone. Tilting her head back and forth noncommittally as he asked if she'd ever seen the snow, she had, but not much of it. "It snowed last winter here," she answered, though it hadn't actually snowed much. "That's all I've seen of it, though. It was pretty exciting when it happened." Sookie had enjoyed it. She couldn't imagine what more snow would be like, though. "Wow, that must've been exciting," she decided when she heard of him warring with snow in Sweden with Nolan. Laughing at Eric's eagerness to take a bath, Sookie considered it before nodding. "Now works," she agreed, lacing her arms around his neck. "Since you were so, so helpful with the dishes, I think I can help clean you off now."
Nodding as Eric repeated her words, she'd have thought it was an odd thing to focus on, but she knew how possessive vampires could be. "I do," she answered with a small smile, trailing her fingers through the short hairs on the back of his head. "Do you mind?" Vampires could be strange about her possessive pronouns, but that was how she thought of Eric, no doubt about it. "A week is a while to get you alone," she answered with a laugh, since Eric was always being called away on business. When the business was Bill, though, at least the business wasn't so far away. "I figured as much," she answered with a sigh as he told her what his business consisted of. "There's only one vampire who lives in Bon Temps, and there aren't many people here who would catch your attention otherwise." She figured it had something to do with Bill, but she didn't particularly want to know more than that. "That's tempting," she admitted with a quiet laugh, picturing tearing through Bill's things. "But I think I'll pass. I don't really want to go back there unless I have to. Besides, I'm sure you'll do enough damage for the both of us."
Re: Born for Devastation and Reform
Post by ericnorthman on Sept 3, 2010, 11:34pm
i wanna tear down your defenses 'til there's nothing there but me
ericNORTHMAN.
you're angry when you're beautiful, your love is such a tease
i'm drowning in your dizzy noise, you know you're everything to me
"That is your interpretation of people," Eric argued with a small smirk, one he fought before Sookie attempted to wipe it off his face with a fight. They just saw the world very differently. "My interpretation is different. They were not taken without just cause," he continued. They would never agree, he was positive of that much, but that didn't mean he couldn't defend his actions or that he didn't want them to at least be comfortable with the actions of the other. "The Merlotte's fry cook was distributing a substance in this Area that I was not pleased with." Even before he had been nearly drained, Eric hadn't wanted V, even willingly given, in his territory. It was too dangerous and the humans in Area Five were too stupid to use it intelligently. "I had to persuade him to see things my way. Once he did so, I healed his injuries and let him return to his life. Bianca's pet was abusing that same substance," he continued. "When I 'took' him, he was in Shreveport and had enough V on him to build a small army. He has since thanked my kind profusely for our intervention and has chosen not to reintegrate with the population here. The schoolteacher was just for fun," he concluded with a smirk. "But I returned her to her home when she pleaded to me to do such. She didn't even miss work." He was as courteous a kidnapper as one could be.
"I cannot have a 'good' time with the mutt," the Viking insisted easily enough. He didn't care much for Alcide at all. It actually bothered Eric that the Were was reliable. Truthfully, he respected the pup some, which was probably where most of the dislike came from. Eric really didn't like respecting the moon slaves. "I will only have a good time if he is miserable." Double dating was complicated, but it seemed most of the things Eric and Sookie discussed were. Of all the things the could come between them, he didn't want something so insignificant and meaningless as money to be it. It already annoyed him that it seemed to be one of the walls that laid between them. Offering her a small smile as she agreed to 'go easy on him,' he would do his best not to push her, but hope she would come to him when she needed help. "No, you don't," he countered with a smirk as she stated she'd try to be less a pain in the ass. "Not when you are so good at it. I do not expect nor desire for you to surrender all your fight. What fun would that be?"
Letting a sound of disapproval escape his throat as Sookie insisted she had seen snow last winter, the Viking had reveled in the light dusting that had nearly brought Louisiana to a standstill, but that didn't mean it was really snow. "That is not snow," he insisted before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone, the vampire anxiously and expertly scrolling through the pictures kept there to find the ones from many months earlier to his journey overseas with his newborn. Turning the phone towards her to show the pictures proudly, he couldn't help but smile. "That is snow. We have already decided to return again this winter," he continued, his enthusiasm for the nordic weather obvious. "The nights were nearly unending. There were only a few hours of daylight we were dead through." And his newborn had grown quite addicted to snow boobs. "Perhaps you will join us?" he half-stated, half-asked, unsure if they could make such plans for months in the future, but if she did, he'd show her snow war...
As her arms wrapped around his neck, Eric tucked his phone away and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her from the counter and pulling her flush to him as he carried her from the kitchen, ignoring the puppy that followed at his feet. "Do I mind?" he repeated, eyebrows lifting as he carried her through the hallway and into her room, setting her down on the bed before plucking the shoes from her feet and kicking off his own. "I am yours as you are mine. I do not mind. In fact, I wish to hear it more." Heading to her bathroom, the vampire turned on the warm water, letting the tub begin filling while listening to her words. Returning to her on the bed, he continued to strip them evenly, tossing their clothes onto a chair with a small shrug. "Two vampires in Bon Temps," he corrected. "And I have done what I can to keep Jessica disconnected from the offender. You do not have to return there," he assured her, lifting her from the bed once more when they were stripped, a contented sigh escaping him at the warmth of her skin meeting his own. "I will do plenty of damage, I promise you that, but I will only be a shout away... if I can convince myself away at all." It seemed an impossible task as he carried her through the bathroom door, a smirk on his lips as he tugged the door closed behind them.
