Buffy The Vampire Slayer Fan Fiction ❯ Politics Are Not Your Friend ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: EmruasCat 
Non Anime: Buffy The Vampire Slayer Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Supernatural / Angst | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 04.06.2009 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 265 | Status: Completed
Non Anime: Buffy The Vampire Slayer Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Supernatural / Angst | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 04.06.2009 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 265 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or worlds of BTVS/ATS and Anita Blake. The creators of these worlds have far more talent and money than I do.
Warnings: SLASH. Also known as GUY-ON-GUY sex and WOMAN-ON-WOMAN sex. I don’t know how much plainer I can make it, and this warning will remain for the entire story, just to be safe. Eh, mentions of past abuse and general foul language. The warnings will change for each chapter – it depends on who I’m writing about. After all *authoress pauses to smirk and lick her lips* does anyone think sex with Asher would be very vanilla? Spoilers for “Blood Noir” throughout the rest of the story, so if you haven’t read that yet, you may want to before proceeding – otherwise, A LOT of the men’s interactions with Jean Claude aren’t going to make sense.
Author’s Note: I have done some editing to fix the errors pointed out by my awesome reviewers. If I missed anything, let me know.
Chapter 4: Mira Always Wins
Mirabel peered around Nathaniel at the two newcomers. “You’re vampires,” she said without letting go of the wereleopard.
Jean Claude flashed one of his charming smiles without showing fangs. He didn’t know it, but all that did was make the Sunnydalers tense. “Oui, ma petite fleur. You are quite clever.”
Mira frowned. “I am not a flower,” she said slowly and distinctly, letting go of Nathaniel and backing into Xander’s legs without ever taking her eyes off of the vampires. “And only my Unca’ Xan and my Unca Spike are ‘llowed to call me little.”
Jean Claude blinked, then bowed to her. “It was meant as a compliment, fair child. I thought you as lovely as the flower I named you, and I see that you are gifted as well.” The vampire smiled again, radiating charm and goodwill.
“Thank you,” Mira said, still in that strangely crisp, distinct voice. She looked up at Xander, who lifted the child into his lap and rested his chin on the top of her head.
“You know, Dawn did ask who you were,” Xander commented.
The vampire inclined his head. “So the young lady did. I am Jean Claude, Master of St. Louis. This is my second, Asher,” gesturing at the blond that stood silently behind him.
“Nice to meet you,” Mira said politely, and Xander and Dawn nodded to the two vampires as well.
“Tell me, pretty flower, what is YOUR name?” Jean Claude asked, his French accent very heavy in his musical voice. More than that, though, was the power laden in his tone – power meant to persuade and coerce without the listener realizing. Xander and Dawn both stiffened, recognizing the tone for what it was, but didn’t speak. They wanted to see how Mira handled this.
Mira was unimpressed. “Unca’ Spike says it’s RUDE to use y’r voice li’ dat,” she said disapprovingly.
Jean Claude blinked innocently. “What do you mean?”
Mira was scowling openly at the vampire master now. “You used your power to try to MAKE me tell you my name. You coulda just aksed li’ a NORMAL person.” She stuck her tongue out at the vampire.
A low snicker escaped the werewolf, and Jean Claude frowned at him. Jason shrugged. “She’s got a point.”
“Indeed, mon ami.” The silent blond vampire spoke for the first time. “May I ask, young one, how it is you knew of my master’s power?” The irony when he said the word ‘master’ was not lost on the two Scoobies, and they started paying more attention to the quiet blond.
Xander lips quirked in an amused smile as Mira gave the same answer she always gave to Giles and Wesley when they pestered her about her abilities. It always frustrated them, and Xander knew it would frustrate the vampires as well. “Just did.”
“But HOW?” Jean Claude asked intently.
Mira stuck her tongue out at him again before hiding her face in Xander’s neck.
“Don’t stick your tongue out, sweetheart, it’s rude,” Dawn said mildly, since Xander wasn’t going to correct the toddler for doing something he wanted to do himself. The young woman shifted to stand next to the still-seated Xander.
“Xander? Mira?” Willow’s voice called out, interrupting the staring match between Xander and Jean Claude.
The redhead came around the corner directly opposite to the vampires. All of the St. Louis natives went rigid as she made her way towards them. Xander and Dawn both felt Willow’s power singing in the air about her. They were used to the experience after years of unconsciously recognizing it, since they all tended to live in the same house when Xander wasn’t in Africa. The wereleopard and werewolf, however, had no such experience, and were plainly worried and shocked.
“Wills, shield,” Dawn said.
“Huh?” the witch asked blankly.
“They’re preternatural, Willow-tree – they can feel your power,” Xander said, jerking his head in the direction of the newcomers.
Willow’s eyes went round. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” The power immediately dimmed. “I didn’t mean to scare you or challenge you. It’s just I’m always around people that know what I am and aren’t bothered by the mojo so I don’t have to watch it, and I didn’t think about shielding here ‘cause it’s a furniture store and all the people working here are normal and can’t sense me anyway and-“
“You’re babbling, Will,” Dawn cut in.
The witch blushed furiously. “Right, shutting up now.” She closed her mouth firmly.
Jason, back to looking amused, said, “Your name’s Willow?” The redhead nodded, still blushing. “Cool. I’m Jason.” The werewolf bravely stuck out a hand.
A shy smile turned the pretty redhead into someone startlingly lovely. “Nice to meet you,” Willow said sheepishly, clasping Jason’s hand with her own.
Jason felt power humming under her skin, but studiously ignored it. He bowed over her hand, bringing her knuckles to his lips. Hearing a startled squeak escape the redhead, Jason straightened up and grinned at her. “A pleasure to meet you,” he said in a purr without releasing her hand.
Willow blushed again at the werewolf’s blatant flirting, and hastily snatched her hand back. Jason’s grin widened, and Xander ducked his head to hide an amused smile from Willow. “What is it with you and wolves, Will?” he murmured playfully.
Willow’s blush deepened. “That was just the one person, Xan,” she protested, then blushed even more when she realized what she’d given away. A low chuckle from Nathaniel, who’d been very quiet all this time, drew Willow’s attention to him, and in an attempt to deflect the amused looks away from her, she said, “You’re a shifter, aren’t you? What kind?”
Mira broke in then. “He’s a KITTY, Auntie Will,” the toddler said in a happy tone.
“I got that much, but he’s a big cat,” Willow said patiently.
“Leopard,” Nathaniel said, adding softly, “I’m Nathaniel.”
Nathaniel was gifted with one of Willow’s sweet, beaming smiles that made all and sundry want to do whatever she asked – at least, in Xander’s mind. “Nice to meet you, Nathaniel.” Willow then noticed that Mira had gone back to hiding her face in Xander’s neck. “Mira, what’s wrong?” she asked the toddler.
Mira scowled at Jean Claude, who had watched the ensuing conversation with fascination. “RUDE vamp,” she said crossly, before once again hiding her face.
Willow blinked, then looked at Jean Claude. “I wished to know la belle fleur’s name, and used my powers a bit in my voice. It is automatic for me, and harmless at such a low level. I was surprised the child was capable of such sensing – and such flawless speech,” Jean Claude said, his beautiful blue eyes burning into Willow.
Willow smiled thinly. “Mira is a girl of many talents. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from using any vampiric powers in her presence. As you’ve already found out, she is extraordinarily sensitive. And a vampire friend of ours told us that a vampire that uses such a power in his voice is most often not up to any good. Mira trusts Spike implicitly, so she is going to take his word over yours on whether or not the power was harmless.”
Jean Claude arched an elegant eyebrow. “Spike?” he asked delicately, his tone showing only innocent curiosity.
Xander spoke then, his own tone holding a dry amusement, “You don’t know him.”
Dawn, who’d been as quiet as Nathaniel, snorted softly then. “Believe me, you’d remember him if you did,” the young woman said in high amusement.
“Jean Claude, what are you doing?” a short, dark-haired woman stepped into view, followed closely by another man who was just about the same height as she was. Mira’s head lifted, and she stared at the new man with wide eyes for a moment, before looking at Nathaniel with a questioning glance.
The slender leopard blinked, realizing that Mira sensed the cat in Micah as well. “It’s all right,” he whispered to Mira – and to Xander, by extension. “He’s my Nimir-Raj. He’s safe.” Xander and Dawn both knew what the leopard meant by that – the new wereleopard protected Nathaniel.
“I am greeting these newcomers to our fair city, ma petite,” Jean Claude purred, drawing the dark-haired woman into a one-armed embrace.
“How do you know they’re new?” the woman asked, allowing herself to be held. And it WAS allowing, Xander saw. This woman was strong and fierce, like Cordy, like Anya, like Buffy. It was only with her express leave that another held her with possession.
“I’m SURE I would remember such beautiful power,” the vampire murmured, and the blond vampire – Asher – murmured an agreement to that.
The dark-haired woman turned her attention to Willow, and for a moment power writhed around her, dark and strong and wild. Willow cocked her head to the side, then dropped her shields. Her own power sang to life around her, strong and light-filled and steady.
The woman held her gaze a moment, and Xander’s estimation of her went up another notch. There were precious few that could meet Willow’s gaze without flinching when her aura was singing like it was.
Shielding formed around the new woman, and Willow copied her. “You’re strong,” the dark-haired woman commented. “What are you, exactly?” Off to the side, Xander could see Jason and Nathaniel wince a bit at her utter lack of tact. Xander, though, after spending so much time with Anya and Cordy, appreciated it. He’d rather have a straight-in-your-face woman in front of him than a sly, deceptive one.
Willow cocked her head to the side. “I’m a Wicca,” she responded. “What are you?”
The dark-haired woman raised an eyebrow. “I asked what you were, not what your religion was.”
“I’m a Wiccan witch,” Willow said patiently.
“Wiccan witches use psychic powers, not actual magic.” Anita may have been stretching the truth here, but she wanted to see how this powerful stranger responded.
“Not this Wiccan witch,” Willow said simply with a shrug. “What are you?”
The dark-haired woman’s eyes narrowed. “I’m a necromancer.” Huh, thought Xander, that explained the feeling of darkness in her power. Xander typically associated that feeling with the undead, and had wondered why a living woman possessed it.
“Is that why you’re friends with the vampires?” Willow asked curiously, and now Dawn and Xander were wincing at HER lack of tact.
“It’s a small part of it,” the woman said evenly. She studied Willow a moment more, than glanced around to the other Scoobies. “Welcome to St. Louis.”
Dawn glanced at the still-staring vampires. “We already feel right at home,” she drawled.
Warnings: SLASH. Also known as GUY-ON-GUY sex and WOMAN-ON-WOMAN sex. I don’t know how much plainer I can make it, and this warning will remain for the entire story, just to be safe. Eh, mentions of past abuse and general foul language. The warnings will change for each chapter – it depends on who I’m writing about. After all *authoress pauses to smirk and lick her lips* does anyone think sex with Asher would be very vanilla? Spoilers for “Blood Noir” throughout the rest of the story, so if you haven’t read that yet, you may want to before proceeding – otherwise, A LOT of the men’s interactions with Jean Claude aren’t going to make sense.
Author’s Note: I have done some editing to fix the errors pointed out by my awesome reviewers. If I missed anything, let me know.
Chapter 4: Mira Always Wins
Mirabel peered around Nathaniel at the two newcomers. “You’re vampires,” she said without letting go of the wereleopard.
Jean Claude flashed one of his charming smiles without showing fangs. He didn’t know it, but all that did was make the Sunnydalers tense. “Oui, ma petite fleur. You are quite clever.”
Mira frowned. “I am not a flower,” she said slowly and distinctly, letting go of Nathaniel and backing into Xander’s legs without ever taking her eyes off of the vampires. “And only my Unca’ Xan and my Unca Spike are ‘llowed to call me little.”
Jean Claude blinked, then bowed to her. “It was meant as a compliment, fair child. I thought you as lovely as the flower I named you, and I see that you are gifted as well.” The vampire smiled again, radiating charm and goodwill.
“Thank you,” Mira said, still in that strangely crisp, distinct voice. She looked up at Xander, who lifted the child into his lap and rested his chin on the top of her head.
“You know, Dawn did ask who you were,” Xander commented.
The vampire inclined his head. “So the young lady did. I am Jean Claude, Master of St. Louis. This is my second, Asher,” gesturing at the blond that stood silently behind him.
“Nice to meet you,” Mira said politely, and Xander and Dawn nodded to the two vampires as well.
“Tell me, pretty flower, what is YOUR name?” Jean Claude asked, his French accent very heavy in his musical voice. More than that, though, was the power laden in his tone – power meant to persuade and coerce without the listener realizing. Xander and Dawn both stiffened, recognizing the tone for what it was, but didn’t speak. They wanted to see how Mira handled this.
Mira was unimpressed. “Unca’ Spike says it’s RUDE to use y’r voice li’ dat,” she said disapprovingly.
Jean Claude blinked innocently. “What do you mean?”
Mira was scowling openly at the vampire master now. “You used your power to try to MAKE me tell you my name. You coulda just aksed li’ a NORMAL person.” She stuck her tongue out at the vampire.
A low snicker escaped the werewolf, and Jean Claude frowned at him. Jason shrugged. “She’s got a point.”
“Indeed, mon ami.” The silent blond vampire spoke for the first time. “May I ask, young one, how it is you knew of my master’s power?” The irony when he said the word ‘master’ was not lost on the two Scoobies, and they started paying more attention to the quiet blond.
Xander lips quirked in an amused smile as Mira gave the same answer she always gave to Giles and Wesley when they pestered her about her abilities. It always frustrated them, and Xander knew it would frustrate the vampires as well. “Just did.”
“But HOW?” Jean Claude asked intently.
Mira stuck her tongue out at him again before hiding her face in Xander’s neck.
“Don’t stick your tongue out, sweetheart, it’s rude,” Dawn said mildly, since Xander wasn’t going to correct the toddler for doing something he wanted to do himself. The young woman shifted to stand next to the still-seated Xander.
“Xander? Mira?” Willow’s voice called out, interrupting the staring match between Xander and Jean Claude.
The redhead came around the corner directly opposite to the vampires. All of the St. Louis natives went rigid as she made her way towards them. Xander and Dawn both felt Willow’s power singing in the air about her. They were used to the experience after years of unconsciously recognizing it, since they all tended to live in the same house when Xander wasn’t in Africa. The wereleopard and werewolf, however, had no such experience, and were plainly worried and shocked.
“Wills, shield,” Dawn said.
“Huh?” the witch asked blankly.
“They’re preternatural, Willow-tree – they can feel your power,” Xander said, jerking his head in the direction of the newcomers.
Willow’s eyes went round. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” The power immediately dimmed. “I didn’t mean to scare you or challenge you. It’s just I’m always around people that know what I am and aren’t bothered by the mojo so I don’t have to watch it, and I didn’t think about shielding here ‘cause it’s a furniture store and all the people working here are normal and can’t sense me anyway and-“
“You’re babbling, Will,” Dawn cut in.
The witch blushed furiously. “Right, shutting up now.” She closed her mouth firmly.
Jason, back to looking amused, said, “Your name’s Willow?” The redhead nodded, still blushing. “Cool. I’m Jason.” The werewolf bravely stuck out a hand.
A shy smile turned the pretty redhead into someone startlingly lovely. “Nice to meet you,” Willow said sheepishly, clasping Jason’s hand with her own.
Jason felt power humming under her skin, but studiously ignored it. He bowed over her hand, bringing her knuckles to his lips. Hearing a startled squeak escape the redhead, Jason straightened up and grinned at her. “A pleasure to meet you,” he said in a purr without releasing her hand.
Willow blushed again at the werewolf’s blatant flirting, and hastily snatched her hand back. Jason’s grin widened, and Xander ducked his head to hide an amused smile from Willow. “What is it with you and wolves, Will?” he murmured playfully.
Willow’s blush deepened. “That was just the one person, Xan,” she protested, then blushed even more when she realized what she’d given away. A low chuckle from Nathaniel, who’d been very quiet all this time, drew Willow’s attention to him, and in an attempt to deflect the amused looks away from her, she said, “You’re a shifter, aren’t you? What kind?”
Mira broke in then. “He’s a KITTY, Auntie Will,” the toddler said in a happy tone.
“I got that much, but he’s a big cat,” Willow said patiently.
“Leopard,” Nathaniel said, adding softly, “I’m Nathaniel.”
Nathaniel was gifted with one of Willow’s sweet, beaming smiles that made all and sundry want to do whatever she asked – at least, in Xander’s mind. “Nice to meet you, Nathaniel.” Willow then noticed that Mira had gone back to hiding her face in Xander’s neck. “Mira, what’s wrong?” she asked the toddler.
Mira scowled at Jean Claude, who had watched the ensuing conversation with fascination. “RUDE vamp,” she said crossly, before once again hiding her face.
Willow blinked, then looked at Jean Claude. “I wished to know la belle fleur’s name, and used my powers a bit in my voice. It is automatic for me, and harmless at such a low level. I was surprised the child was capable of such sensing – and such flawless speech,” Jean Claude said, his beautiful blue eyes burning into Willow.
Willow smiled thinly. “Mira is a girl of many talents. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from using any vampiric powers in her presence. As you’ve already found out, she is extraordinarily sensitive. And a vampire friend of ours told us that a vampire that uses such a power in his voice is most often not up to any good. Mira trusts Spike implicitly, so she is going to take his word over yours on whether or not the power was harmless.”
Jean Claude arched an elegant eyebrow. “Spike?” he asked delicately, his tone showing only innocent curiosity.
Xander spoke then, his own tone holding a dry amusement, “You don’t know him.”
Dawn, who’d been as quiet as Nathaniel, snorted softly then. “Believe me, you’d remember him if you did,” the young woman said in high amusement.
“Jean Claude, what are you doing?” a short, dark-haired woman stepped into view, followed closely by another man who was just about the same height as she was. Mira’s head lifted, and she stared at the new man with wide eyes for a moment, before looking at Nathaniel with a questioning glance.
The slender leopard blinked, realizing that Mira sensed the cat in Micah as well. “It’s all right,” he whispered to Mira – and to Xander, by extension. “He’s my Nimir-Raj. He’s safe.” Xander and Dawn both knew what the leopard meant by that – the new wereleopard protected Nathaniel.
“I am greeting these newcomers to our fair city, ma petite,” Jean Claude purred, drawing the dark-haired woman into a one-armed embrace.
“How do you know they’re new?” the woman asked, allowing herself to be held. And it WAS allowing, Xander saw. This woman was strong and fierce, like Cordy, like Anya, like Buffy. It was only with her express leave that another held her with possession.
“I’m SURE I would remember such beautiful power,” the vampire murmured, and the blond vampire – Asher – murmured an agreement to that.
The dark-haired woman turned her attention to Willow, and for a moment power writhed around her, dark and strong and wild. Willow cocked her head to the side, then dropped her shields. Her own power sang to life around her, strong and light-filled and steady.
The woman held her gaze a moment, and Xander’s estimation of her went up another notch. There were precious few that could meet Willow’s gaze without flinching when her aura was singing like it was.
Shielding formed around the new woman, and Willow copied her. “You’re strong,” the dark-haired woman commented. “What are you, exactly?” Off to the side, Xander could see Jason and Nathaniel wince a bit at her utter lack of tact. Xander, though, after spending so much time with Anya and Cordy, appreciated it. He’d rather have a straight-in-your-face woman in front of him than a sly, deceptive one.
Willow cocked her head to the side. “I’m a Wicca,” she responded. “What are you?”
The dark-haired woman raised an eyebrow. “I asked what you were, not what your religion was.”
“I’m a Wiccan witch,” Willow said patiently.
“Wiccan witches use psychic powers, not actual magic.” Anita may have been stretching the truth here, but she wanted to see how this powerful stranger responded.
“Not this Wiccan witch,” Willow said simply with a shrug. “What are you?”
The dark-haired woman’s eyes narrowed. “I’m a necromancer.” Huh, thought Xander, that explained the feeling of darkness in her power. Xander typically associated that feeling with the undead, and had wondered why a living woman possessed it.
“Is that why you’re friends with the vampires?” Willow asked curiously, and now Dawn and Xander were wincing at HER lack of tact.
“It’s a small part of it,” the woman said evenly. She studied Willow a moment more, than glanced around to the other Scoobies. “Welcome to St. Louis.”
Dawn glanced at the still-staring vampires. “We already feel right at home,” she drawled.