Ruling Rue Royale
Chapter Two
Anne waited patiently for someone to open the door. She had a key of course, but now that the residents were in residence, she didn't think it was quite polite to come busting in on them. There was also the possibility that she would come upon some activity which she would rather not see. She wondered if she had waited long enough. Louis would never be awake, but surely Lestat must be. She heard footsteps.
"Good evening." David smiled as he opened the door for her. "I am sorry about the delay. I was at the other end of the house watching Lestat play with the new toys in his office."
"Oh he's found the office? Good! Louis was worried about his reaction, afraid it wouldn't be quite right.""Louis?" David asked, closing the door behind her.
"Yes, he decided to surprise Lestat. So he updated the office. He thought that would be the most helpful thing he could work on. He'll be glad it's a hit." She followed David through the house and back to Lestat's office."Bonsoir, my lovely!" Lestat held out his arms to Anne.
"Good evening, Lestat," Anne said, kissing him. "So, what do you think of all this, hmm? A lot of research went into it, you know.""You did this? Merci, ma belle!" Lestat lifted Anne in his arms and whirled her around.
"No, no, no!" She laughed. "Not me, Louis."
"Louis?" Lestat looked around. "Louis who?"
Anne and David laughed. Lestat hit the power button on the fax machine, it gave forth several electronic beeps sounds and tests, ending with a mechanical voice, "No incoming faxes. Outgoing systems at ready.""You don't mean MY Louis?" Lestat said to Anne.
"Uh-huh." Anne nodded.
"You are saying he authorized someone to select all of this?" Lestat was practically dumbfounded."No, I'm saying he went out and researched the technology, studied the market, compared the available equipment and put it all together for you. He thought he might surprise you with it. And as I can see, you are surprised!" Anne smiled.
"My dear, I am utterly awestruck," Lestat paused, then turned back to her. "Why?"
"I think he might have wanted to please you, Lestat." Anne said.
"Please ME? No, there must be some other explanation."
"Lestat! Don't be such a damn insolent ungrateful brat! You'll hurt his feelings! He worked very hard on this, and he did it just for you." Anne glared at Lestat.
"Really, Lestat, you should be very flattered," David agreed.
"Ah, Louis!" Lestat looked through the door. "We were just discussing you, cher."
"Were we? Well that is quite frightening. Hello Anne," Louis kissed her cheek.
"Louis," David turned to him, kissing his cheek. "This is all wonderful, really! Lestat was just saying so."
"Was he?" Louis returned the kiss.
"I was indeed," Lestat assured Louis, as they kissed each other in greeting.
"I'm glad," Louis said, humbly.
"I told you he'd like it." Anne smiled to Louis.
"Yes, you did." Louis acknowledged.Anne turned to Lestat, "He was so afraid that everything wouldn't be quite right and you'd hate it. He exchanged the fax machine three times! You wouldn't believe how-"
"Anne!""What Louis?" She blinked at him innocently.
"It isn't necessary to elaborate.""Oh, you're just embarrassed." She waved him off.
"Yes, please do go on," David requested, looking affectionately at Louis.
Anne grinned wickedly. "Well, he fussed and fretted over this computer. I got a call at two in the morning, inquiring as to whether I preferred the movable mouse or the stationary ball."
Lestat pulled Louis in front of him and locked his arms around his fledgling's chest. "Louis, I do believe you are blushing."
"He was frantic to get the software installed properly. He must have been on the tech support line for five hours," Anne continued, devilishly as Louis's blush deepened.
"My little geek." Lestat kissed Louis's hair.
"Well, it is quite state-of-the art, Louis. I commend your decisions," David said.
"Thank you, David," Louis answered, putting a hand to his crimson face.
Suddenly a familiar guitar riff screamed through the office, drumbeats vibrated the desk, a synthesizer joined the marching rhythm building to a climax that peaked with the sound of Lestat's voice chanting out, "I am the Vampire Lestat."
"What the hell is that?" David asked, startled.
"THE GRAND SABBAT, David. I am insulted. It was my first single," Lestat informed him.
"I do apologize Lestat, I never liked it as much as THE LEGACY OF MAGNUS," David told him "The synthesizer is a bit too strong on it, don't you think?"
"I will not take musical criticism from a man who attends rock concerts in an overcoat and starched collar," Lestat answered.
"It's the screen saver! Louis, did you create this?" Anne looked at the flashes of Lestat's videos as they danced across the monitor.
"Khayman did most of it, actually," Louis answered her. "Do you like it Lestat?"
"It's brilliant!" Lestat released Louis and stared at the screen.
"Khayman?" David asked.
"Yes, he is extremely well-versed in computer technology," Louis told him. "I only inquired if he would explain it to me and he arrived the next night with most of it done. He got the videos from Marius. Once he arrived all that was left to do was install it and set up the controls. It is a bit loud, though, isn't it?"
"It's perfect!" Lestat exclaimed.
"He did one with REQUIEM FOR THE MARQUISE as well, it was his favorite." Louis slid the mouse over it's pad and clicked a few times and that song began playing.
"Umm, I thought Khayman liked to crush computers in to the smallest possible wad and throw them through windows," Anne whispered to Louis.
"Oh, he hardly ever does that anymore," Louis whispered back, patting her shoulder in assurance.
Lestat was entranced with himself, staring at his screen saver. "I haven't seen these in years."
"You look just the same." David said, cheekily.
Anne and Louis laughed. Lestat looked at David, "I was just thinking that I look much better, actually."
Now David laughed as well.
"Have the two of you concluded your interview already?" Louis asked.
"We haven't even started. I only just arrived." Anne told him.
"Do you still wish to make your purchase tonight, David?" Louis phrased the question so as not to reveal what the purchase was to be, should David be embarrassed by it.
"If not tonight, then tomorrow night. We certainly have all of the time in the world but I wish to have one as soon as possible. I believe the experience will be enlightening." David's eyes shined in anticipation.
"What are you talking about?" Lestat asked.
"I asked Louis to help me obtain a coffin. I wish to sleep in one." David answered, without a hint of embarrassment.
"How intriguing!" Anne was equally thrilled with the idea.
Lestat sighed, "Really David, you know it is no longer necessary. This house is properly sealed, covered and insulated from sunlight. And beds are much more comfortable."
"I don't doubt the security of the house, Lestat. I have slept here before remember? But I do wish to sleep in a coffin. It is so . . .vampiric."
"Fledglings." Lestat sighed.
"And Louis needs one as well." David said.
"Louis?" Lestat looked toward his emerald eyed love. "Why do you need one?"
"I don't." Louis told him.
"Louis, you do." David pressed.
Louis shrugged. "Regardless, David wishes to purchase one and I agreed to accompany him."
"Would you like to come along?" David asked Anne.
"I thought you'd never ask," she smiled.
"Are you sure, Anne?" Louis asked, worriedly. "Wouldn't it be a bit . . .morbid for you?"
"Are you kidding! I think it sounds like a great time!" Anne laughed.
"You would." Louis shook his head at her, but couldn't help smiling.
"We could put the interview off, if you don't mind, David." Anne said.
"Not at all. Shall we go now, then?" David looked to Louis.
"If you wish. But first we should determine the exact measurements of this body." Louis looked David up and down.
"Aren't they all a standard size?" Anne asked.
"Generally, yes, but David is exceptionally tall, and it is best to have an exact width, for comfort." Louis told her.
"If you want a proper and suitable coffin, David, you will have to have one made." Lestat said.
"Not necessarily." Louis contradicted.
"David will hardly be pleased with one of these assembly line metal monstrosities that pass for coffins these days." Lestat said with distaste.
"Lestat, you can order wooden coffins from Italy and France. Almost all of the mortuaries have imported coffins for sale." Louis told him.
"How do YOU know?" Lestat asked, in an annoyed tone.
"I went with Daniel, when his mother died, to obtain one." Louis explained.
"You what?" Lestat was incredulous.
"Daniel's mother died?" Anne asked with concern.
"Yes-"
"When was this?" Lestat interrupted Louis.
"A few years ago. I think it was when you two were in Amsterdam." Louis said, meaning Lestat and David.
"What happened?" Anne asked.
"It was an accident, in an automobile." Louis told her.
"Why did you go? Why didn't he take the church ornament?" Lestat asked.
"I didn't ask, but I suppose Armand's presence would have been more difficult to explain, due to the appearance of his age." Louis mused. "He was going to go alone, I offered to accompany him."
"That was good of you." David said.
"Since I had been through the same experience, I thought I could help." Louis shrugged off the compliment.
"Poor Daniel." Anne said. "That must have been difficult."
"Yes, it was. He is fairly certain now that he wants to stage his own disappearance, or death, for their sake and his own. It is too difficult to explain his eyes and nails and skin. It has been five years, he is thirty-seven years old, in three years he'll be forty. It is becoming evident, in comparison to the others in his generation, that he is not aging. And he is running out of believable excuses for his nocturnal lifestyle." Louis sighed.
"Thank God he has you to go to for that as well. Are you going to advise him as to how he could ignite the Night Island?" Lestat managed to ask it with a straight face.
Louis shot him a venomous look but otherwise ignored the remark. "Let's measure you, David."
Louis went to his desk and brought out a tailor's measuring tape. "Put your arms at your sides, please."
David did so. Louis measured the width around David's waist and arms, his shoulders, his feet, and finally his height.
"You are in fact, 6 feet, two inches and a third." Louis informed him.
"You should take up basketball." Anne said.
"Well, if we are going, we may as well go now, while we still have some evening left." Lestat donned a long grey wool coat.
"You are coming?" Louis asked.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"I thought you were going to start writing." Louis answered.
"Not tonight Beautiful One. I'll take one more night in the charming company of my fledglings before I shut the door of this magnificent office and allow the muse to take me."
Louis smiled.
The three vampires fed quickly and Anne returned home to change. They met again at Anne's First Street house. Louis dressed in a rather somber and quite plain black suit, with a white shirt and black tie. He had cut his hair short and modern, and could have been almost nondescript, but for his inescapable beauty. David, also dressed appropriately in funereal dark grey, was still sensually exotic. Anne had donned a black velvet dress, very gothic, but not too overt. But Lestat was resplendent in a double breasted blue Brooks Brothers affair, with sapphire and diamond shirt studs and cuff links. He sported a rather loud multicolored tie and lots of gold around his wrists and fingers. His hair was long and full and he had even pierced one ear.
"Lestat, you are supposed to be in mourning." David scolded him.
"Relax, David, I inherited all the money, but none of the taste. There's one in every family."
They first visited Bultman Funeral Home. To save time, Lestat flew with Anne and David flew with Louis. They walked through the doors, which were open, it being but eight o'clock, and showings were still taking place.
Lestat located the funeral home director, and with a mental suggestion that the three men he was encountering looked perfectly normal, and the lady with them was NOT Anne Rice, they approached him.
"Good evening, I am the Right Reverend Tyrone Deal, at your service. How may I help you all tonight?"
They explained that they needed to shop for a coffin, and the Reverend led them to his showroom. Coffins of all sizes, colors and materials stood in rows with their lids open. Each held a placard on it's pillow with the materials, model number, name and price.
"May I ask whom you have lost?" Reverend Deal asked in a sympathetic voice.
"What?" Anne asked, looking to see that the other three were right behind her.
"Your relationship to the deceased," the Reverend clarified.
"Oh-" Lestat began.
"Our brother." Louis said, stepping forward before Lestat could finish. "David's twin."
"Oh, I am so sorry." Reverend Deal said to David.
David, taken by surprise at this revelation, stuttered a bit. "Y. . .yes. Uh . . .quite a . . .shock."
"Thank you." Louis said to the Reverend, giving David a supportive pat on the back.
"Well, do you have any particular preference or price range?" the Reverend asked, skillfully sounding as if he had never asked this question before.
"Wood." Lestat said. "Expensive."
Louis surreptitiously jabbed him in the stomach, unfortunately jamming his finger in the process.
"He means, price is no object." Anne covered the remark.
"I see," the Reverend nodded, though he had seen the jab, he pretended that he had not. "Do you have a wood preference?"
"Rosewood or mahogany." Lestat answered, rubbing his stomach.
"David," Louis overemphasized the name, "what do you think he would have wanted?"
"He was always very fond of oak, remember?" David reminisced.
"Do you have any in oak?" Anne inquired in a subdued tone.
"Yes ma'am, if you'll just follow me." The Reverend led them to the back row. "This one, on the end, is oak."
"Too plain." Lestat commented.
The Right Reverend Tyrone Deal momentarily lost his somber composure and narrowed his eyes at Lestat.
"Do you have anything more ornate?" David asked. "He loved wood carving."
"Hmm, well this is our stock, I am afraid." The Reverend looked apologetic.
"Don't you import coffins from France and Italy?" Lestat asked.
Reverend Deal looked at him a moment. "No, we don't sir. We do have a few from Quebec, though."
"See, baby brother!" Lestat said to Louis in such a jeering and patronizing tone that the Reverend had no doubt but that he was the older brother.
"Thank you for your time." Louis said, calmly ignoring Lestat with such disdainful ease that Reverend Deal had no doubt but that he was the much to be pitied younger brother. "We have a few decisions to make. We'll contact you again."
"That will be fine sir, may I have your name?" the Reverend said, pointedly keeping his attention only on Louis.
"Thibodeaux." Louis said, knowing it to be the southern Louisiana equivalent of "Smith".
They exited. As soon as they were outside, Lestat turned Louis around. "And just WHAT was that for?"
"Lestat, families in mourning do NOT say that they want an "expensive" coffin!" Louis answered him.
"Mon Dieu!" Lestat spat out in frustration. "We shouldn't be dealing through these mortals, anyway!"
"Well then how do you propose we obtain one, monsieur?" Louis folded his arms.
"I'll put one of my agents on it. David can have one by tomorrow night!" Lestat told him.
"Thought it was rather fun, actually." David said quietly, to Anne.
"So did I." Anne whispered back.
"Lestat, don't you ever do anything for yourself?" Louis asked. "Good God, it isn't that difficult!"
"Louis, I retain them specifically so that I do not have to attend to such mundane chores."
"Well if you find it a chore, why didn't you stay at home?" Louis demanded.
"Because I forgot how dreary you make everything, Louis." Lestat turned spiteful.
"Well you also apparently forgot that you USED to be some kind of actor!" It was one of Lestat's sensitive spots, and Louis knew it. "But I suppose it must be difficult to keep all of your lies straight."
"It isn't a lie, Damn you, and you know it!" Lestat's eyes blazed in anger. "The things I write do not come from MY imagination the way that little patricidal fantasy you had of finding me weak and pathetic and begging you to stay with me came from yours!"
"ENOUGH!"
All three vampires looked at Anne.
"That is all of the bickering I want to hear tonight, boys." She glared at them forcefully. "Act your ages! You are embarrassing both David and myself, as well as wasting our time."
There was a moment of stunned silence.
"I apologize, Anne," Louis said, contritely. "And to you David."
Anne and David nodded their acceptance and both looked to Lestat.
Lestat looked offended. "What? He started it!"
There were sighs and head shaking all around as they walked to a partly hidden back alley, so that they could take to the air to reach their next destination, Jacob Schoen and Son. Once out of sight, David quickly rose with Anne, leaving Louis to be carried by Lestat.
"You'll have to teach me that trick," David said in Anne's ear.
Anne laughed. "I'll let you borrow a dozen or so 3-year-olds of my acquaintance, you'll pick it up pretty quickly."
"You're telling me the psychology is the same?" David chuckled.
"Yes, but the 3-year-olds will actually change their behavior afterwards, whereas the 200-year-olds are hopeless, as far as long term reform." Anne sighed.
By the time they landed, Louis and Lestat were on civil terms, which was all that could be expected. Unfortunately, they found nothing at that funeral home, though they did carry imported coffins. And they added a bit to their story.
"May I ask the name of your brother?" A man who had introduced himself as Frank Parrish, asked.
"Jonathan." Louis said, at the same time that Lestat said, "Goliath."
"Goliath was a nickname," David explained.
Frank nodded, thinking this was quite an odd family. "And will he be interred above ground?"
"Yes." Louis said, as Lestat said, "No."
Frank acknowledged them with a nod and then looked to David.
"Well, we aren't sure, yet." David said, lamely.
"We thought we'd try below first and if he doesn't like that, dig him up and try the other." Lestat explained cheerfully.
Anne made a circling motion at the side of her head with her finger and pointed to Lestat. Frank didn't doubt it for a moment. He wrapped up the questions quickly and when they found nothing to their taste in the showroom, he ushered them out, locking the door behind them.
They continued to the Bertha Griffin Lamour Funeral Home. And though they still did not find a coffin that would serve 'Jonathan', they did illuminate the cause of death.
"What hospital is the deceased at now?" asked a lovely young lady named Hannah, who was the embalmer.
"He isn't." Anne said.
"Oh?" she seemed surprised.
"He died in Brazil." David said sadly.
"I see. So will you want us to ship the casket there?" Hannah asked.
"No. He, uh, he is coming here. But, he hasn't arrived yet." Louis answered.
Hannah looked skeptical.
"They are having a bit of a problem, due to . . .the tragedy." Lestat began to sob quietly. Anne comforted him.
"I'm sorry." Hannah answered.
"It's alright." Lestat said, recovering himself briefly. "It's just that he was killed" Lestat sniffed sorrowfully, "during Carnaval," Lestat took a deep breath, "by . . .by . . .by a Samba Parade!" He collapsed into rather dramatic wails. "Trampled!"
Louis had to leave the room. David and Anne escorted Lestat out, telling Hannah that they would return, perhaps the next night, and thanking her for her time.
Louis had exited before them and they found him a few blocks away. He was leaning against a wall, staring up at the stars, obviously waiting for them to catch up to him. Lestat knew he had provoked him, and assumed his fledgling was preparing to read him the riot act. Which, of course, was always an enjoyable experience. Louis colored beautifully when he was in a temper. His eyes sparked and flashed, his accent thickened, his fangs flashed when he spoke, he bristled with anger and passion. It was so adorable Lestat could hardly stand it. And Lestat made no secret of how it delighted him, which never failed to outrage Louis even more. Lestat could barely keep from rubbing his hands together in anticipation. He reached Louis first and stood beside him.
Louis continued to stare upwards for a moment, though he knew Lestat was there. Then, very slowly and soberly he turned to Lestat, and smiled, his eyes filled with emerald mischief.
"Now, isn't this more fun than having your agent acquire one, Lestat?"
Lestat was shocked speechless. He stared at the bewitching figure before him and was so overtaken with desire, he nearly sank his fangs into Louis right there. How could Louis so effortlessly fulfill Lestat's every wish? He was emotional enough to satisfy Lestat's need for argument, sentiment and warmth, yet he was stubborn, willful, and imperturbable enough to be maddening. He could be depended upon for both worship and scolding. And just when Lestat thought he could predict and manipulate him completely, Louis surprised him. Lestat wanted to say, 'Yes, my precious love. And Louis, mon Coeur, I forgive you everything; the passivity, the guilt, the lies, the insults, the burning, the refusal, everything. J'taime, Louis. I love you.' But of course he did not.
He regarded the devilish grin growing wider with every second of his silence. He nodded regally to Louis.
"Touché, monsieur." Lestat gave him an indulgent wink.
"Where to now?" Anne asked, she and David having approached behind Lestat.
"Leitz-Egan." Louis told her. "Can you direct David?"
Anne nodded and David gallantly opened his arms. They rose in the air as Lestat caught Louis around the waist.
"Non." Louis took Lestat's arms and Lestat allowed him to push them off, puzzled. "Let's race."
"What?" Lestat really wasn't sure he'd heard correctly.
"You remember," Louis raised his eyebrows, "don't you?"
Lestat stared, completely mystified. "Not a clue."
Louis snapped his fingers, which Lestat wasn't sure he'd ever seen him do before, and looked as if he'd just remembered something. "Oh yes, you wouldn't recognize it without this." Very quickly, he backhanded Lestat across the mouth. "Fiend!" Louis spat at him, though his eyes were laughing, then turned, jumped to the nearest roof and began running at his top speed toward Leitz-Egan Funeral Home.
For one second Lestat was completely confused, then almost angry and finally exuberant as he jumped to the roof Louis had just disappeared over and pursued his fledgling, as they used to do, when they first lived in this city, and everything was still new and overwhelming to them both. So much so, that they'd never noticed that they were in love.
Ruling Rue Royale - Chapter Three
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