Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 08:44:26 EST
From: fraser@VAX.LIBRARY.UTORONTO.CA
Subject: Outfoxed: Arioch's farewell
Dear Kindred: this is forwarded from Arioch, Duke of Chaos, who is
having trouble with his account.
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After saying goodbye to Samantha, Arioch headed downstairs to
check the fridge. His work was done here, and it was time for him to
go. On the way down the steps he saw the Baron, who could tell by his
look that he was planning on going.
"I wish to thank you for all of the hospitality you have shown
towards me while I was here, but now I must return to New Orleans as I
have friends and a dear loved one there, awaiting my return."
"It is I who should thank you, as without the help of both you
and Samantha I fear Fox may have had to meet with an early demise. I
owe you a debt of gratitude not easily repaid."
After shaking hands and a pat on the shoulder Arioch continued down
the stairs, heading for the kitchen where he knew he could find Mitch.
Reaching the kitchen he was surprised to see that Mitch was nowhere to
be found. Joshua however was there, preparing something that smelled
absolutely divine.
"I must bid you farewell Joshua, for I have to go."
"It was very nice to meet you Arioch. Hopefully it shall not
be the last."
"Somehow, I don't think this will be the last time. We all
must stay together, if we are to prosper."
At that point Mitch's nose came in the room, followed by the
rest of his body.
"What's up and what are you cooking Joshua?"
"Arioch is leaving Mitch, and nothing for you."
"Goodbye Mitch, I wish you all the luck in the world in your
pursuits of Jessica at the Yule Party."
"Thanks, I think. See ya Arioch, next time we will have to
have a race to see who can eat the most pizza."
"Till then."
Turning to leave the kitchen Arioch found himself blocking a
punch. A fury of punches and kicks flew back and forth between Evan
and Arioch, neither man seeming able to hit the other.
"Impressive, Arioch."
"As are you Evan. I do hope we get the chance to spar sometime
in the future."
"Count on it." As Arioch extended a hand to Evan, rather than
shake it Evan grabbed it and twisted it around, flipping Arioch to the
ground by surprise.
"Thanks Evan." As he looked up a big tongue licked the side
of his face. "Goodbye Warg."
Getting up and straightening his clothes Arioch headed for the
door, stopping one last time in the driveway to wave. Gideon and the
others waved as he got into the cab, which then pulled off into the
night.
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send comments to ginsburg@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 08:46:01 EST
From: fraser@VAX.LIBRARY.UTORONTO.CA
Subject: Fluff: Outfoxed, the final episode
Dear Kindred:
I thought it only fitting that, since Fox started this, he should finish
it.
*****
Well, here I was on the Cliff Road and no-one had chased me off.
I was expected, if not welcome, assuming my grandpa had reported
back to the Crowd.
What part of the day I hadn't spent sleeping, I'd spent getting
my head together. Meeting my long-lost grandfather and discovering
that he was not only immortal, but looked ten years younger than me
had thrown me about as much as learning that there were vampires
in Fletcherville. I didn't doubt that he was my grandfather ... but
it was kinda hard to absorb.
I'd acted like an idiot about the Goldaniases, both of them. Alex
wasn't a killer monster, any more than Janine was an innocent
victim. Hell, I'd nearly been _her_ victim. But it was pretty
hard to forget that kiss she'd planted on me...
The Road was a wild ride, even without monsters or the sherriff
after me. It had some wicked curves and a drop-off into the valley
with no guard-rail. There were no lights, either, except from my
car. I finally passed a house --except it was more of a shack -- and
someone came out for a look at my car. I caught a glimpse of long,
pale blond hair and stopped and rolled down the passenger window.
"Francis?" I called out.
The kid sauntered over to my car. He was wearing a leather jacket
and torn jeans instead of the tacky vampire costume I'd seen him in
before, but I knew now that he really was a vampire.
"Hey, Fox," he leaned against my car. "I thought that must be you.
On your way to Valley Mansion?"
"Yeah," I replied. "I need to talk to Alex and Janine."
"Do you know which house it is?" he asked.
"Three more, right?"
"Right. Stone pillars complete with gargoyles at the start of the
driveway. Alex has rotten taste."
"Is that sour grapes?' I pointed at his shack.
He shrugged. "All I need's a place where the sun doesn't come in.
And somewhere to keep my bikes."
"You don't live the high life like the others?"
He grinned. "No title. I had the misfortune to be born American
middle class."
I laughed and started up the car again. Francis moved back and waved.
Waving back, I set off up the road. Another house soon appeared on
the right, a small bungalow. There were lights on, but nobody came
out. Then it was back to pine trees for another mile. A pair of
bloody great oak trees broke up the monotony. They flanked a
driveway, and I could see enough lights to indicate a big house.
This must be Oakwoods, home of Baron Gideon Redoak and his odd
(or should that be _queer_?) household. Apparently, it was
the baron who'd asked Alsatia Moore and my grandfather to come
to the valley and talk me out of staking Alex.
What the Baron had to do with any of this, I had no idea. I
hadn't met the man and didn't want to.
After more pine trees, I finally saw stone pillars topped with
gargoyles, and went down the driveway between them. I arrived
at a house that looked like it came off the cover of one of
those dumb romance novels. It was huge, with a tower at one
end, stone, covered with ivy, and ugly as hell.
I left the car right by the steps, just in case, and went
up to the door. There actually was a doorbell, so I rang it.
A stout old lady answered the door. Right, the housekeeper.
"Come in, Mr. Fletcher," she said. "May I take your coat?
Mr. Goldanias and Miss Janine are in the study."
"Thanks, Mrs. Jenkins," I grinned at her and handed her
my jacket. "Which way's the study?"
"I will show you."
Good thing she did. Hell, you could get lost in this house.
Everything I saw reeked of money. I was ushered into a cosy,
book-lined room that had a big stone fireplace. Alex was
leaning artistically against the mantle, smoking one of his
special black things. Janine was sitting in an armchair,
pretending to read a book. I saw the title. It was in Latin.
Gimme a break.
"Evening, Mr. Fletcher," Alex nodded. He was wearing jeans
and a sweater, but they hadn't come out of the LL Bean catalogue.
Casual wear for the filthy rich vampire.
"Hi, Fox," Janine smiled at me. Her blouse and slacks weren't
exactly bargain basement, but she'd have looked good in a blanket.
"Don't you "hi" me," I said to her. "I don't know whether to kiss
you or spank you, so stay out of my way."
She glared. "I never hurt you," she said.
"You were going to."
Janine started to say something, caught the look her cousin shot
at her, and shut up.
"I'm sorry, Fox," she said after a minute. "It was wrong of me to
use you to make Alex jealous."
"I'm sorry, too. I could have really liked you, if you were still
human. But I don't want to date a vampire."
"I understand," she sighed.
I turned to Alex. "I owe you an apology, too," I told him. "I
harrassed and threatened you. I'm sorry. Who am I to judge you?
So you're a vampire. That doesn't make you a killer, or even a
bad person. I've been set straight about that."
"That comes as a great relief, Mr. Fletcher." He offered me a smoke.
I took one and let him light it. "Hell, call me Fox."
"So you think you can live with knowing that there's vampires,
werewolves, and other immortals in Fletcher's Valley?"
"Sure. Live and let ... uh, unlive?"
He smiled. "A much improved attitude, Fox."
"Invite him to the party, Alex," Janine suggested, looking like
a five-year-old up to trouble.
"Party?" I asked.
"Gideon -- Baron Redoak -- is having a party at the Winter Solstice
for a whole group like the Cliff Road Crowd. There'll be dozens
of vampires, werewolves, Druids, mages .. what-have-you." Alex
grinned. "Want to come?"
"Would I be safe?"
"As safe as you are any time. There's lots of security to keep an
eye on breathers."
"Yeah," Janine said. "After all, the Baron's lover is a breather."
"Vampires can have sex?" I asked, and they both laughed.
"Sure," Janine said. "If you come to the party, maybe I can get you
drunk enough to prove it." She winked.
"And this Baron won't mind?"
"No," Alex assured me. "I'll square it with him."
"In that case, why not?"
A vampire Christmas party, and I was invited.
Hoo boy.
***********
Sadly, that is the end of _Outfoxed_, but not necessarily of Fox
Fletcher.
Thank you, Samantha and Arioch for joining me. It was fun
while it lasted. See you both at the Yule party. And if you
ever need any of the Cliff Road Crowd to join your fluff, just ask.
Thanks, too, to all who sent their comments and criticisms.
E-chocolate to you all.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ BARON GIDEON REDOAK +
+ e-mail to:Fraser@vax.library.utoronto.ca +
+#############################################+
+ "Never run from anything immortal. +
+ It only attracts their attention." +
+ Peter S. Beagle, _The_Last-Unicorn_ +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++