The world had changed since The Great Revelation; that was for sure. It was no longer ridiculous to believe that the undead existed, let alone had their own businesses and paid taxes. Speaking of which- damn were these drinks pricey.

Molly had finally gotten me out to the local vampire bar, and though I was intrigued, I had been feeling quite comfortable with my current distance. I had met a handful of vampires in passing and found my experiences varied, just like with human-kind. Sure, some were pretentious and rude, but others showed the need to embrace a life outside of secrecy and solitude.

The bartender brought back my change and I slipped a couple bills back at him across the sleek polished wood. He gave a coy smile that let his fangs peek out just enough to make sure I was getting the full tourist treatment. I smiled back with intent to be sincere but was pretty sure it turned sour.

My dear friend was much better at feeling welcomed in such an establishment. I had been able to pull off the LBD, boots, and dark eyes, but she had me topped with fishnets, dark lipstick, and triple the eyeliner. Something I was more likely to attempt if I wasn't concerned about making a statement I couldn't uphold. I was not here to make any lasting impressions. My nature is far from 'wallflower' and I dared to consider myself brave- but I also like to think I'm smart.

I had had a lot of internal debate about my hair for the evening. I'm a messy bun kind of gal, so I grabbed some chopsticks and whipped them into place atop my head. The unintended neck exposed gave me pause, but I decided that my secret weapons were necessary.

Molly took a big sip of her fluorescent drink after lifting the hibiscus flower from her glass to twirl between her fingers. "Mmm! Jo, try this." I latched onto the straw and took a taste of the concoction knowing it was not going to be something I would have ordered. Sure enough, the floral notes were too strong for me. I must have made a face because she laughed and I took a big swig of my gin and tonic to wash away the flavor.

"Too flowery." I half yelled with exaggerated enunciation so she could make out what I was saying. The music had gotten louder with the transition to the current song. I looked around and confirmed that we had gotten here just before what seemed like their peak time. They weren't just letting people in anymore, but holding a line at the door and letting people trickle in as time went on and others left.

Most of the clientele, humans and vampires alike, were dressed in black with make-up and piercings and fangs, real or not. It was a shame that vampire culture had become such a trend because the bar seemed like a place I could enjoy if it wasn't for all the Fang Bangers. It was obvious where the line was drawn between Fang Banger and tourist. I didn't want to be associated with either though I was enjoying the music choices. Lots of Metal Core and Atmospheric Doom, which I thought was both pleasing and appropriate. I've never been one to get past Top 40 at a Mexican restaurant.

Molly and I talked for a bit before she was approached by a vampire. He had very little tact and she quickly shooed him away once it was obvious that a steady diet of desperately willing donors had made him lose his game.

"I'm not saying I wouldn't let one bite me..."

I scoffed. "Well of course not. You're no liar." I leaned in closer, wondering how much of a difference it actually made. "But maybe don't say that out loud?" My gaze gave a slightly pleading look. "You are hard enough to keep an eye on."

"Well now." Molly was looking straight past me in a fixed way I recognized. I turned on my barstool to see that the small stage that took up the center of the opposite wall was now occupied. We hadn't paid that side of the bar much attention when we had come in because the alcohol was what was important. Priorities.

Now I saw that there was a chair- not a chair- a throne. And in that throne sat a God. A very bored looking God. He was tall. Or maybe the chair was tiny? It was sort of hard to tell with all the bodies in between and the low lighting. Either way, he was enveloping that thing. He had golden medium length hair and piercing blue eyes. Much more striking shades than my own ash blonde and deep sea blue.

As soon as I realized his gaze had locked onto mine, my heartbeat skipped and I flung my seat back around to face the bar. Stupid! I was supposed to be cool and collected, not a frazzled school girl! I sighed and followed it up with a deep breath. My surprise at my own reaction fading fast. Sure he was gorgeous and I was used to being second to my friend- but his eyes... It had been like a cold splash of water to my soul.

My darling friend nudged me to get my attention while keeping her eyes forward. "He's smiling. You should see his smile." Molly said all dreamy voiced. I caught her gaze for a moment and the foggy look cleared from her eyes. "That, I would let bite me." She told me serious as could be. I felt a tiny bit ashamed that I understood completely.

At 27 years old and with no serious relationships in my past, I had done some fantasizing. That man- that vampire- reminded me that this is what young single humans came here for, and my mind went wild. That had never been my intent and I had to correct myself that it wasn't going to happen just because some adonis glanced at me.

"I need another drink." I said sitting up straighter and putting my, now empty, glass on the bar top.

"Allow me."

Molly and I turned at the same time to see that the man from the stage had come up behind us. He gave a polite smile to my friend and then myself as we sat silent in our seats, bodies pointing at each other, eyes looking up. Really far up. It's not the chair, it's him. I concluded.

"My name is Eric Northman and I own Fangtasia." Eric's demeanor was that of one that was trying to fit in with humans, but never would again.

He turned to give Molly his whole attention and I watched as she subconsciously reacted by straightening her back and fidgeting with where to place her hands. "I'd like to borrow your friend if you don't mind. Art here will get you set up with another drink. On the house." Eric gave a knowing look to Art, the bartender, and then turned to me. "What are you drinking?" He asked.

"Gin and tonic." My voice was surprisingly solid, which I was thankful for, but I could feel my heart pounding again. I couldn't help but think that every vampire there was listening to my panic. "With lime." I added hoping to find my legs again soon.

"Come sit with me at my booth." Eric grabbed my drink off the bar top as it had barely left Art's hand. I looked to Molly, worried about leaving her alone, but my feet were already moving and she simply blew me a kiss.

I followed Eric to the booth furthest from the door. I realized this gave him the best view of his establishment and sat opposite him. It also seemed quieter on this side. He placed my drink in front of me and I moved for it quicker than intended. Liquid courage, I guess.

"Thank you for the drink." I said after a sip. I had not the slightest idea how to start a conversation with a vampire of this stature. He wasn't some newborn or drifter. Eric Northman was established.

My mind ran as Eric looked me over. I was trying desperately to monitor my thoughts as to steer from fear and lust to make sure I didn't give away any weakness. It was almost like sitting next to someone who could read your mind...

"What is your name?" He asked.

I mentally slapped myself for being so caught up in my emotions and forgetting my manners. "Jo." I replied. "Nice to meet you."

Eric waited a moment before realizing that was all I was offering. "Well, Jo, you seem to have broken a rule in my establishment."

I blushed heavily and felt my heart drop. I really hadn't thought anyone would notice. Feeling stupid for pushing my luck, I decided honesty was the best policy.

"They're for self-defense only. I apologize." After a second I felt that maybe I had put myself in danger by trying to be prepared for it. "I'll leave immediately." I shifted in my seat.

"No."

Eric had spoken with finality so I resettled myself and took another drink. "I'm not done with you." He finished with a smile.

"What can I do for you?" I asked.

He leaned in. "I want to know where you got those."

I exhaled thankful for an easy task. "Online. Just Google 'vampire self-defense weapons' and you can see there's quite a market for it. No grudge, I swear. I have vampire friends- well, acquaintances."

"Fair enough. But know that silver anything, let alone hair sticks, is strictly prohibited."

I nodded in response. "Are they obvious?" I asked feeling my body shrink into the booth.

Eric sort of snorted. "Do you think you would have lasted this long?" An eyebrow raised with his question.

"Then how could you tell?" I couldn't help but ask. I was finding him surprisingly easy to talk too after my initial nervousness.

The vampire I had questioned wore a stone face and I figured I wasn't going to get an answer. I took another drink and as the alcohol left a tingle in my throat, I remembered Molly. Great association, I thought. I turned out of the booth to see she had a few admirers on the dance floor and being satisfied with the results turned back to my host.

"I won't let her leave without your knowing." Eric said as he focused on me again after giving a small nod to someone on the door side of the club. I followed where he had looked and noticed a beautiful young blonde woman take note of my friend. I was a little shocked but found his assurance charming. Whoops- no charming to be had.

"Thanks. She likes to have fun, which is known to give me a headache." A small chuckled followed my quip.

"You on the other hand seem over- prepared. I wonder why?" Eric spoke in a soft tone, as if he were simply speaking his mind.

"I really wasn't expecting any trouble. Honestly I didn't think anyone would even notice them." At the time, my silver dipped chopsticks had seemed like a very discreet way to have some sort of protection in a world that had grown more obviously dangerous in the past few years.

My vampire host seemed to accept my explanation as he nodded in response. "So you are a human who likes to be prepared for the worst. In this scenario, a vampire attack is as such."

"That's pretty much it." I concluded.

"And you live your life this way? Looking to always have an ace up your sleeve?" My gaze on him narrowed.

I had never thought of it that way. Was he reading further into my own personality than I had been able to? How much had he figured out about me in this short conversation?

"Can I ask you something personal?" I dared to say.

He smiled again and for a second I thought he was going to say something like 'but you didn't answer mine.' Instead I got, "Fire away."

"How old are you?" I spoke softly.

His smile turned into a smirk. "Over a thousand." It was if he was challenging me in some way with the way he was staring me down.

My voice came out a little breathier than I had expected. "That's amazing. Literally." I took another drink. Over one thousand? That was insane to try and relate to. What was he doing here with me?

My expressions must have been giving me away as I noticed Eric's brow furrow. "You seem put off." He remarked.

"No, I'm sorry if I came across that way, I just- I didn't expect... Sorry I'm at a loss for words." I took a deep breath. "Why are you talking to me?"

Eric immediately stonewalled his face.

"No! I didn't mean it like that! I just mean that you have been around forever and you have this bumping club, and lackies, and you are choosing to sit here and help babysit a human with me while we chat? Why didn't you just kick me out?" I was glad to have gotten that all out.

"Because you interest me." Eric had pulled the charm back out in no time. "In fact, I would like to get to know you even better." His eyes were so piercing in that moment, I thought my heart was going to pound right out of my chest. He smirked and I knew he could hear it just as strong as I could feel it.

I tried to compose myself by looking around for Molly again and saw her back at the bar. The blonde woman had kept her in her sight and I wasn't sure if that made me more or less comfortable.

"Not that I haven't enjoyed your company," I started. "But that's not why I came here." Subtlety was my middle name.

Eric's face donned a look of feigned hurt. "You wound me." He chuckled before turning serious again. "When is your next night off?"

Startled by his command I said, "I don't work after dark this time of year." Not really knowing why. What did I want to happen from our spending more time together? "I don't have anything else planned until Tuesday."

"Perfect. Meet me here tomorrow at dark." He stood and I followed suit. "I have work to tend to." Eric gave me a second lookover before coming in close to me. He did it at such great speed that my heart took off and I had to will my body not to take a step back. Or forward.

We stood still between the empty booth and a crowd of bodies dancing. I was trying so desperately to control my breathing. Eric peered down at me for a long moment before moving in. He took hold of my right hand and brought my wrist up to meet his nose. He inhaled deeply and held before exhaling and releasing my arm. A small smile lingered on his lips as he took a step around me. "Goodnight Jo."

I started to wish him the same, but he had sped off past the crowd somewhere.

I spotted Molly at a high top table on the other side of the room and made my way towards her. Making my way around the bodies that enveloped the dance floor, I noticed the blonde from earlier headed straight for me. She appeared before me just after I had noticed her, which had me startled again. I guess you probably get used to it if you hang out enough with vampires.

"Your friend has been a pleasure to watch." She told me and I glimpsed the tips of her fangs. She seemed to take me in for a moment and proceeded to give a flashy smile before disappearing.

Upon finishing my trek across the club Molly caught sight of me. "Jo!" She called a little too loudly. "He isn't taking you home? Bummer."

I gave her eyes and she paused before gasping. "He is?!"

"No!" I finally blurted out. "I'll tell you in the car. Let's get out of here."

She gave a pleading look but quickly turned it around with a yawn. "Alright. Let's do this."