Pam left us a message that she could not leave Fangtasia, so we were all meeting her there. I walked into the bar, admitted by Ginger, and went straight away to the bar where Tara stood, looking sullen. "Pint of black," I told her.
"Sam never had that on tap, can you show me how to draw it," she asked. I nodded and went around the bar. I missed Chow and his flirty ways and fangy humour. Perhaps he had gone to less troubled pastures. I grabbed the pint glass and showed her the angle and tip and began to draw the strong black beer. I showed her when to start straightening the glass to create just the right size head, or collar, for the liquid parish priest.
"It soothes your soul and hears your confessions," said Eric, watching me teach the baby vamp how to pour the beer. I then explained how and when to use to use the paddle.
"But the better you get at it, the less you will need the paddle," I said. I went around and sat next the Viking. I picked up the glass and set my lips on the edge in the ritual of 'eating' the first sip, getting my Guinness 'stache, and then wiping it off with my hand. "How goes it Big Viking?"
"Not so good," he said. "A positive Tara." I sat passively and drank the beer. Tara sat the Tru:Blood on the bar with little grace. Apparently, Tara did not appreciate her fangy grandfather. I rolled my eyes. Tara showed me fang and I showed her my pointing finger. "Another fan Aslinn," said the Viking.
"Yeah, they are everywhere these days. Eric, I think you have to consider the possibility that Nora..."
"No, no, no," he shook his head with each 'no' he said.
"Eric..."
"No!!!" and he hit the bar so hard Tara flinched. There was a noticeable dent in the wood. I didn't react. I had seen Eric act this way before, and even worse, so I was not impressed.
"Eric, how long has it been since you have really been around her?" I asked, looking at him. He didn't answer. "Too long perhaps?" He still said nothing. "You can be sullen and silent all you want, but this is something you have to consider.
"Like Bill?" he asked, his lips curling into a sarcastic smile.
"That is so unattractive Eric," I said. "You know you have to think about the possibility of Nora turning her coat inside out. It is the smart thing to do."
"Don't tell me what to do!!!" he walked off and kicked a table over like he was kicking a tin can. Tara came back to the bar and wiped where Eric had dented it.
"It will take more than that," I said.
"Aren't you even a little afraid of him?" asked Tara.
"No," I said. "Eric is a thousand years old going on 17." Tara snickered. Pam shot her a look from the tee shirt corner and she wiped the smile off her face. "How are you doing?" She made the see saw motion. "Just use your head Tara, you know how to behave. Be as smart mouth all you want, just keep your fangs to yourself til you are in private."
"I am getting that," she said. "You ready for another?" I looked at the glass and drained the dregs and handed her my glass.
"I'll just watch you this time," I said. I leaned my elbows on the bar and hoisted myself up and watched her draw me a near perfect pint. "Nicely done, you will get the hang of it."
"What does that taste like?" she asked.
"Spookie Tooth says it tastes like Moose Piss," I said. "It's just very minerally and really...strong. Good for the blood."
"That's why they serve it," she said. She looked over and then stepped away. Eric came back.
"Where do you get off saying Nora is not loyal to me, to our bond as siblings?" he asked between his teeth.
"Back the truck up," I said, pressing on his shoulder. "Hey, I know about sisters that put the screws to you Champ...You say that is the way you fuck? Well she is doing it to you royally with no Vaseline and no reach around." Tara laughed and Eric gave her an evil look. "Hey don't do that to her, she is just laughing at me."
"Vampire siblings are different," said Eric darkly.
"The hell they are," I said. "But I enjoyed that little jab at Alcide."
"Sookie was drunk, not in control of herself," said Eric.
"Like you care," I said. He looked at me. "Well, besides the vomiting part, you would not have cared if she were schnaps faced." He smiled, a genuine smile this time.
"You know me too well for your own good," said Eric.
"So, you gonna listen about Nora?" I asked.
"I don't know," he said.
"Well, I hope you aren't disappointed Eric, I truly do, but I fear the worse," I said. "And you guys stick together."
"You guys?" he asked.
"You and Bill. No more sniping," I said. He looked away...lost cause. He left me there at the bar. Tara was looking at me and then went to work, looking busy. Pam sidled up and took Eric's place.
"Tara, go to the store room and get another case of napkins," she said. Tara dropped her rag on the bar and went to the back storage area.
"Hey, you need to cut Tara a break. Eric didn't treat you like that, you can be better."
"Think so?" she asked.
"Know so," I said. "Kick her ass when she needs it, but don't treat her like a dog. She's your child and has your blood and Eric's blood in her veins, don't screw her up the way Lorena did Bill."
"Advice noted," she said.
"Well, the others should be here in a moment," I said, drinking back the last of my Guinness. Pam moved in a blur and grabbed another glass and drew me a perfect pint. "Tara will get the knack of it. Of everything." I grabbed my glass and went to sit in the manager's booth, to wait for the group.
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