Some Changes and Info - OOC

I've written Ammerie for a long time now, having to dream up her world, everything in it - including it's  name. I finally got around to reading the book CH wrote about Britlingens. (Short story I should ammend, actually.) And besides it being incredibly entertaining, I am relieved to know more details about the world that surrounds the Britlingens. As we all must do , seeing as her entire universe isn't completely crafted yet, I am altering Ammerie to go along with cannon for her. I'm excited about this because the details she provides in The Britlingens Go to Hell, are intriguing and far better than my imagination could ever drum up. Funny thing? Apparently Britlingens don't even LIKE witches. They just use them.

Ammerie will continue to be married to James and reside where they do currently. I did want her to be unique and available to interact more, hence her extinuating circumstances allowing her to be on Earth. If I kept her soley within Spauling and The Britlingen Collective Walls, we would not get to interact with her on a regular basis. Having said that, the changes to Ammerie's story line aren't HUGE. I was glad to see that some of the filler that I had to assume was actually correct. And so, without further delay , here is the factual run down on what we know about the life of a Britlingen thus far.Everything from here out is CANNON, official, outta Charlaine's mouth herself .

• Britlingens live on another plane. They reside in an ancient city called Spauling and prefer to stay within the walls of this city. The Britlingen Collective is the name of their race, and they choose to stay near the castle that resides at the top  most hill of Spauling.
• They are extremely expensive either way. The witches associated with them charge an astronomical fee as well.
  
• There are two divisions of Britlingens. The Assasins and the Bodyguards. We are going to see the journey in Ammerie, deciding which way she would like to pledge her time/committments to the Collective.
  
• Britlingens grow up in the Collective. They train military style. Think Star Trek meets Navy Seals. Hardcore drills and training, and there is a military type of heirarchy within this. The men and women seem to be portrayed equal, but violence against women isn't taboo. There is an excerpt speaking about this very thing. They have ninja like skills, can dissapear into thin air and guard invisbly.
  
• Britlingens have a rule : Never kill another Britlingen, leave that to the rest of the world.
  
• Britlingens wear head to toe armor. They have many suits and different types, including some that are used for winter, and summer. The most precious being the Liquid Armor.
• Liquid armor:  It isn't really liquid and resembles a wet suit. It's extremely easy to don. There is a keypad size of a credit card on the suit that they wear on the chest. It has a personal sequence programmed into it that alls only one wearer to use the armor. The material toughesn when the sequence is pressed in allowing the wearer to be almost invulnerable. Without this procedure the armor is ineffective. Britlingens had been murdered for their armor before this protocol was issued, and this helped with that problem.
• Britlingens can travel from plane to plane. For instance in this story they travel to Hell. They travel via a Witchweb. Highly powerful witches live in Spauling, doing the transfers of Britlingens from plane to plane. There are many arcane shops there to accomodate them and their needs, some of the most rare ingredients/spellcrafting supplies can be found there.
• Britlingens sign contracts. This is done in the Hall of Contracts. There is a wall of shame that resides there, pictures of Britlingens who have failed their clients hang there. It is a reminder, and a motivation to come back alive and most importanly, not shame the race. They are extremely stubborn and prideful individuals. 
  
• The negotiations are done mostly outside of the realm, through the witches and the "witchweb". However in a rare case the client can travel to the Britlingen's plane and do it there. It's extremely rare though. Britlingens prefer to have the witches sort that out and then sign when they like what they see.
  
• They often prepare their armor with what kind of fighting they predict they will do. Their weapons tend to be swords, knives, wrist crosbows, throwingstars that were bespelled, neotasers and guns. Ammerie will continue to use guns and swords. (Especially the one from @VampireStan) And she will also use bespelled throwingstars, since James can enchant.
• When leaving for a mission they take a water proof backpack that carries microthin clean garments compressed cooked food, a pill or two that provides bursts of energy and some bandages and antibiotics, a bottle of water.  To forestall other kinds of emergencies all Britlingens were injected with birth control drugs on a monthly basis. This is male and female. Those who skipped this injection were listed in bright red chalk on a big board across the entrance hall of the Hall of Contracts. See? No kids any time soon for Miss Ammerie.
  
• Once a contract has been signed, the rule of "The client's wish is law" goes into effect.

The women in the story cursed like crazy. The glorious F word being their favorite - not too far off with that either. They enjoy sparring, fighting, and have hot tempers if you hit the right button. They are extremely witty and have a sharp tongue - Yep, not too far off with that either.

Okay so there you have it. You'll see Ammerie speak about visiting Spauling for work at times, signing contracts, traveling planes and trying to decide what faction of the Collective she wants to enter. Currently she is in bodyguarding but she can change to Assassin and it's something that she's considering very much. If there is more to add, I will edit this posterous and do so as we roll along, retweeting it to update everyone.

Thanks for your time!

A Thank You Letter.

Dear Stan, Bree, Jason, Portia, Marie, Layla....

Our time at the ranch was awesome, and I'm already missing you guys as I write this. Home called...but that doesn't mean we won't be back soon. You guys are really lucky, you know? One big family, and you are each allowed to be unique individuals, united for the same cause. I didn't want to leave today, matter of fact this is the third time I've written this note out. But, can't stay forever, can we? Spending Thanksgiving with you guys, was like spending it with family. You each are loved so dearly by us, and very much appreciated.

Stan,

Your hospitality is unending, and I really did feel at home. Strip Mario Kart and all. Plus, I think I ate all of your fruit? Sorry about that.

Bree,

We should do that again. Soon. I wish you were nearer, more often. :(

Jason,

Currently, I'm without a nice witty, snarky comment. Nothing less would be worthy of your time, and so when I conjur one up, I'll let you know. Take good care of Bree, and yourself when you aren't spending time being always right.

Layla,

You're quiet. I like you. Thanks for not eating me or James. <3

Portia, oh my Portia,

It's going to be okay, you know. It always is, isn't it? Eat and if you don't? Layla will tell me. I left her my cell phone number. Don't think I won't fly back up here or pay someone to forcefeed you. No man is worth it.

Marie,

I'll see your ass at home. You kick in bed, a lot. Or maybe that was the babies. I don't know. Don't forget I stuck my finger down your throat and I'll do it again. I heard once it gets easier each time, so..just think about that.

Love to all,

Ammerie and James Vail

The history of Ammerie and Madlyn.

Ammerie stood, hands clasped behind her back, a stoic expression washing over her face. She was only 16 years old, but you would have thought she was in her 20's by the way she stood, eyes surveying the main room of the underground quarters belonging to the Queen of Egypt. A long sword was strapped to her back, and it might have brushed the ground if not for her long legs making up the difference between her height and the length of the sword. Wrapped in leather bindings against her back, it was almost camouflaged by the leather suit that fight tightly against her body. The leather deflected knives better than any other material, and the deep black it was colored allowed her to move in the quiet night invisibly and with speed. Her hair was not pulled back into the long tight braid it normally was when she worked, the Queen had asked for her to keep her "beautiful glory" down. Ammerie was not in the business of arguing with the Queen of Egypt much less communicating verbally other than times when her life was being threatened. It was of no consequence to Ammerie, and so she had left her hair down this night in particular.

She stood by Queen Eftara, a vampire over two thousand years old, locking her eyes on each individual that entered and left the room. A Britlingen had exceptional speed and the ability to fade into the surroundings and be unseen, but this night she did not bother with concealing herself. She stood proudly beside the Queen, only brushing her ego here and there that she was chosen to spend these months at her side. It was a welcome break from the realm where Britlingens lived and trained, and she was due breather. A man was a mere ten feet from where the Queen sat, grovelling for his very life. He had betrayed her in a minuscule way, but then again nothing was very small when it came to the queen. The queens head was tilted, almost in amusement, as he ended his pleas for forgiveness, for understanding, for a second chance. A smile played at the corner of her perfect lips and she moved one long finger in a swooping motion. The swooping motion of her finger caught Ammerie's eye and she smiled. The smile was so beautiful it often caught her prey off their guard before she attacked, and it did this time. In a lightening fast blur she was standing three feet before the man, who looked at her, locking eyes on hers, and stopped speaking. With a smirk, and a small lift of the corner of one of her eyebrows, Ammerie unsheathed the sword from her back. In a flick of her wrists she cleanly sliced the man's head off, stepping back so she did not bloody herself. The man's head separated from his body, and they fell apart independently, scattering blood everywhere. Ammerie replaced her sword walking backwards to her original position beside the queen. Her legs slighty apart , still smiling, hands clasped behind her back. The queens giggles coming from beside her let her know that she had pleased her and she was happy. This too, made Ammerie happy as she enjoyed the act of relieving someone of the heavy burden of life.

It was then that the side door to the room opened and a tall woman entered. Ammerie did not need to look at who it was, to know immediately who entered. It was Madlyn, the Queens consort. Her lover, her favorite. Ammerie turned her head slightly to the beautiful woman and eyed her, evaluating her mood, as she did every night. She did not trust this woman, and she couldn't put her finger on the reason why. Ammerie was only sixteen , but this did not mean she lacked wisdom, she did not. In fact her life experience was harder and had involved more torture than most had held in two life times. This vampire was not aggressive as the others she had spent many days and nights protecting. She came across as a gentler lover to the Queen which is what threw Ammerie immediately. Anyone , no any vampire, who tried to pass off a facade as being so humanat times had to be out for something. Calm words and a tone of voice always radiated from Madlyn, and often Ammerie wanted to round on her and ask "Do you ever get upset? Do you ever show emotion other than...what you are doing NOW?"But Ammerie spoke very little and instead, expressed herself in a more physical manner. The Queen stood as Madlyn neared, kissing her passionately. Ammerie's eyes stood squarely on them, and then lofting to the left making eye contact with her counterpart Isaiah, who was standing at the entrance. The Queen whispered to Madlyn and excused herself, motioning her to stay with Madlyn. This was not unusual, but it had only happened perhaps twice. And so Ammerie took her place beside Madlyn, walking with her, hands behind her back and hair wafting behind her in the fast pace they kept.

For part two please visit http://post.ly/Dfpj

Change pt. 2

The storms hadn't quieted down for hours, and the vanilla and punkin' spiced candles were almost burned to the end. Ammerie was thinking of how great a hot cup of cocoa would be when the lights popped and the electricity came back on. "Damn good timing," she muttered to the house. Her hands were busy making the cocoa, but her mind was busy on what she needed to do in less than 24 hours. Pack the clothes that were left and the few pictures she had hanging around. The house was being sold for cash, furniture included. Besides, anything in the house was something that Isaiah had got for her as I'm sorry gift, because he didn't get them any other time ,really. Stirring the cup of cocoa, she added an extra handful of marshmellows, citing comfort food as her reason for the indulgence.

"Electricity means we have TV. Wonder if NCIS is on or something," she ponderred down at her little mug overflowing with marshmallows. Carefully, she crawled into the bed, cringing a little at the stone cold sheets, careful not to bump her mug. Turning on the TV she scrolled the channels, looking for something she could either laugh at or cry at. "Aha, Friends, trustly good ole friends." Happy with the program of choice, she sat the remote back down on the side table and curled up , back against the headboard, sipping at her mug.

The phone beside her started out at a low volume, chiming the songe Breathe by Pearl Jam. Carefully she switched the cup to her other hand and answered the phone.

"Hello?" she asked, hoping she would hear a Texas accent.

"Hey Darlin, I miss you." Yep, it was him.

"Hey, I miss you, too. You doin' alright?" she asked, sighing a little and turning down the TV to a volume of 0.

"I'm tired. And stuck in an airport. I was tryin' to surprise you, but there are storms..." he said. Ammerie could hear the weariness in his voice and her heart fell a little. Only her, only she would have such luck.

"Yeah, it's been pretty bad here. The electricity just came on within the last hour or so. I'm sorry you're tired." And she was. It wasn't often you heard any kind of tone to James' voice other than well...just James. Laid back and relaxed or generally happy or mellow.

They talked for just a minute more, his business was all taken care of that he was dealing with. She told him about selling the house and call her if he got into the country , eventually. He was stuck in Costa Rica, and about to find a hotel. The storms just weren't allowing planes to go any further until it cleared up.

There was a little pause and to keep from being ridiculous, Ammerie simply stated "Well, I guess I'm gonna cuddle up here and get some sleep. The storms had me um, up all night. I love you so much, James." Her heart was sort of tugging at her chest and she was feeling pretty petty. But when he replied, smiled a little. "Ok darlin'. Get some sleep and call me if you need me for anythin'. I love you so fuckin' much and I'll see you soon." That felt good to her ears and somehow her soul felt a little recharged. They hung up their respective phones and Ammerie slid down into the covers with a groan, excusing herself from the rest of the hot chocolate that was sitting on the side table.

Her forearm slid over her eyes and she turned the TV back up a little. The cracks from the storm, the shudders beating against the house, didn't make for a good nights sleep for yet another night. Tomorrow she would be out of there for good, and hopefully soon on her way back to Bon Temps, where for some odd reason those storms didn't bother her nearly as much.

Change

Ammerie's head was under the faucet, the stylist at Critique working her hands through her hair. She closed her eyes and relaxed, someone messing with her hair felt great, causing her body to melt into the chair.  "Anna, thank you so  much for working me in. I know it was last minute, but it was a last minute idea," she grinned with her eyes closed. The sunbleached strands that were woven through Ammerie's hair were growing out and winter was coming. A change all around was needed, and she hadn't thought this one through real well but if the new hair color turned out bad, oh well. It was just hair and it was just color.

After a long while of sitting in the chair, letting Anna work her magic, Ammerie was swiveled around to evaluate the results. "Oh my god," she whispered to the mirror. She looked at herself, and wondered if it had been a good idea. But as she started looking harder, she smiled. The last several days alone at the house that sat on the edge of Madrid had Ammerie in a contemplative mood. The color was a good change. There was so much change going on lately, and she thought about that as she left the salon.

Arriving back at the house, Ammerie looked over the notes left by the real estate agent who had shown it while she was gone. A sigh escaped and she sat down on the edge of the couch. Three offers, and they were good offers. She leaned back against the couch and re-entered the argument she had been having with herself for the last couple of days. Carefully putting the papers on the table, Ammerie reached down and unzipped her tall boots off of her legs, and stood stretching. A decision could be made once she had a glass of wine and something to eat.

Walking into the kitchen Ammerie passed a picture frame on the edge of the mantle, and she paused. It was filled with a picture of her and James in front of one of the cathedrals she had drug him to visit. She picked it up and looked at it. The picture was taken before she and he had been handfasted. She stood  with both of her arms encircled around his waist, long hair flying behind her from the wind. James stood with his arm around her shoulder and his chin propped on her head. Placing a little kiss on the picture she smiled softly and put it back on the mantle. "Stupid meetings," she muttered quickly. That was the extent of a pity party she would allow to throw herself. She shook off the little empty feeling creeping into her chest and wondered when she'd hear from him or see him again. And then she had to laugh, how many times had she been in this house wondering when she was going to hear from someone or see someone?

The answer was a lot. The unattractive truth was the house had belonged to her and Isaiah, and while he made promise after promise to either meet her at the house, or spend the weekened with her, it never worked out. He would show up for a day and leave, or he would just never show up at all. And when he was there, it always ended in disaster, no matter how many times she tried to make it "just right" . Ammerie leaned against the counter and laughed, there the decision was made. She was getting rid of the house. She'd play eeny meenie miney mo at the two identical house offers that were the highest, and book a hotel room to stay in if the paper work wasn't finished. She felt lucky that the house was ready to be handed over , all she would need to do is pack her pictures and make sure her clothes were out of there, along with her many sets of leathers she had kept in the closet.

Pushing herself up onto the counter, Ammerie sipped from a glass of wine and nibbled on a Triscuit. There was a light thudding sound that was coming from outside, and it progressively got louder. Ammerie turned her head and then hopped down from the counter to peek outside at the window. Lightening filled the sky and it was getting darker. Flipping on the radio in the kitchen she listened to the stream of Spanish spilling from the speakers giving the details on the aggressive thunderstorms that were on their way, some obviously already having arrived.  A frown spread across her face as she walked back into the living room, sitting her box of Triscuits on the table and her wine glass on a napkin. Storms didn't bother her, but being so far away from home and alone, it gave her the goosebumps and she refused to admit to herself that she was perhaps a little creeped out.

Locking the front door and the back door, checking all the windows and grabbing the bright blue chenille throw from the bedroom, Ammerie plopped down on the couch. Moving her long hair from the curve of her neck, she wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and cuddled up against the couch. Her phone buzzed and she quickly pulled it out and checked to see who it was. She sighed a little and answered the phone.

The conversation with her real estate agent didn't last long, twenty minutes tops. She told the man which offer she accepted and laughed when he asked her what she was going to do with the cash. "Oh, I don't know , I haven't even thought about it to be honest," she admitted over the phone. And , that was the truth, she hadn't thought about it. She wasn't selling the house for the money, she was selling it for her own reasons.  Hanging up the phone, she furrowed her eyebrows and bit at the end of her pinkie in thought. What was she going to do with it?

The sounds from outside were getting louder and more brutal, and her stomach started to turn over nervously.  You can't control weather, hell you can't negotiate weather, it's totally unpredictable, making it something that Ammerie feared to a certain extent. (Although she would never admit it.) Trying to get her mind off of the hammering storm and winds, she thought about what she could do with money from the sale of the house.

"Buy another house," she mused aloud. And the first image to flutter through her mind was the one of the moss covered stone villa that she had asked James to go and look at with her while they were in Ireland. It was on the edge of the sea, and perfect. It needed some work to be just right, but she had more than enough to invest in that. Maybe do a little of it herself. (Maybe not.) She still had all the paperwork at home for it, and if she wanted to she could always leave from the airport out of Madrid and go to the little town they had stayed in and see if it was still for sale. If it wasn't, that would be okay she could always view some properties there that were still for sale. She decided with a little matter of fact sip of her wine, that she'd see the house sold tomorrow and then she would try to find a flight back out to the cove.

Her body was just relaxing, when a loud crack resonated over the house and she jumped, spilling red wine on her shirt. "Okay, it's time for this day to end!" Peeling her clothes off as she walked into the bedroom, she threw them into the open suitcase with some frustrated force behind it. "Just a fucking storm," she scolded herself. Crawling into the cold bed she gathered the pillows from the other side of the bed, tucking them around her. She planted her cell phone on top of the pillow next her so if it rang she could hear it. The shutters were beating hard against the outside of the house now,  causing Ammerie to pull the covers up over her head. Her heart was beating out of her chest, slowing down only as the storm calmed for a moment. She felt six years old that night, and very, very, much wishing she were some where else.

Rain Rain, Go Away.

Related blog by @James_Vail : http://jamesvail.posterous.com/like-mother-nothin-like-daughter

My home has been in my family for hundreds of years. I don't know much about my family, but I guess I've learned a little from going through the stuff in the attic. I had a relative (maybe a grand parent ?) who was obsessed with Venician tea sets. Someone collected old guns, just like I do. *Grins* and someone had an odd affinity for baby dolls.(Freak-ay)  Of course, there's the insane wine cellar downstairs. I guess some things do pass on...the love for wines old and new. The Jack barrells that were bought in Lynchburg at some point - was that fate preparing for James or what?  This house is home now, and it's comfortable. James and I met here, made love for the first time here, and live here together. OUR home, not just mine, ours.

@Sophia_Rain is not dead. I don't think that became real until I saw a replica of me standing in front of me last night. Well visually we look a lot a like, but otherwise? We couldn't be more different. Needless to say we don't get along.  (She did things like call me Darling, and want me to call her Mother, called James a boy toy until she found out he had money, and then freaked out because we were living together and not married, along with lots and lots of "the world should worship me " attitude.) It makes me ashamed to have the last name Rain, seriously considering changing it to Smith or Payne or something. She came looking for a daughter would would immediately accept her and let her weigh in on how to navigate her own life. That's not what she found, and she didn't like it.

Before she left our house she made a point of saying that I had better pack and move because technically the house is hers since it went by heirship. But, she was "dead", and so obviously I was next in line with the golden ticket. The house is in mine and James' name and I called and spoke to the city records office this morning. Yeah, there can be things like this that happens - and the courts will award the house to the right person or make them sell it and settle any cost of improvements to the persons who had been living there. That's why theres title insurance (and I have that on the house, I looked), to protect you and reimburse you should the title company make any errors...like NOT checking for a death certificate for the next in line to inherit the house. Which they didn't. Because - there isn't one. So while I will get a ridiculous sum of money if this plays out  badly - it's not what I want.

I want the fronch porch steps where I sit and think. I want the swimming pool where I first met James. I want our kitchen where we ..cook a lot. I want to keep this house because it's a good place, full of good memories with my friends and with my significant other. I want that woman to dissapear. Go back to being dead.

Last night my head was going to explode. The only thing I could really think was if the house was gone, James and I wouldn't be living together anymore. What a big huge step back, what a suckerpunch. Then would we eventually go our seperate ways, drifting apart? Would he move to Texas and me back to Spain? My heart was broken and being pulled in so many ways, nothing seemed to make sense and I know I sure as hell didn't make any sense.

This morning, having dropped off Code (who we have had for the last two days) I started thinking.... I was panicking hard core. Last night it felt (okay so it sort of still does if I'm being honest) like my entire world was crashing at my feet, a mother who would rather see her daughter beat than fed and cared for. A home being jerked away, all sense of stability gone. My family gone. And I could-not-breathe. I-could-not-think. Having no control of my emotions and feeling insecure are two things that don't happen to me often, and feeling both things at once last night...seriously thought my heart was going to stop beating and my lungs were going to be squeezed until they couldn't expand to take even one breath.

Watching Code run off into the school with a huge ass smile on his face, even though he hadn't seen his momma or Trevor in two days, made me wake up a little. If he could smile in the midst of all he's probly feeling? What the hell was my problem? I paused in the parking lot, looking around. I never went to a school like this, we had different schools, and sure my life would be different if the woman had put me in the hands of a normal family with a normal life. But it wouldn't have led me to where I am now. Taking Cody to school, starting a business with Mai, curling up with Holly eating ice cream and watching junk TV. If it weren't for her leaving me with Sterling, I wouldn't have ever met my boy, and began the rest of my life with one person I was custom made for. (I don't know if we knew each other in previous lives, but I think we did and I'm sure I loved him just as much then.)

So I guess I should thank her. How ridiculous does that sound. Thanks for leaving me in a place that abuses and berrates, teaches you to kill and reward you for it. I would walk back through that hell in a milisecond and relive every terrifying ordeal since I was 5, if it meant that I could be right back here with him. He's worth that much to me.

So that's what I'm going to do, I'm going to thank that bitch for leaving me. I'm going to fight to keep my house, and family together (yeah yeah family of two, but its MINE) .

.....and I'm going to apologize to James. I shouldn't have been so quiet and said whatever. I know he hates that word more than anything. I just need him to be on my side, batting for me. 'Cause right now the score is 0-1, and I'm playing for a one woman team.

A note for James

Jamesy,

I know by the intro you can tell I want something, teehee. Well, first of all good morning and I love you. Second? When you get up I'll be at the offices working on my office. I ordered a new chair (this one) from the office supply store. Could you pick it up and head this way whenever you feel like it? No rush or anything, just going to put my desk where I want it and arrange a few other things. You know me, couldn't sleep in real late.

Anywho, I left you some cinnabread for breakfast/lunch (let's be realistic). Be careful on your way to me. I probably miss you already.

Love,

Ammerie

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

I sit here, at the foot of this couch. Staring at it. Long brown hair falling in waves around my legs, as they are pulled underneath my chin. I tilt my head to the side, and cover  my mouth with my hand. Laughing flows out of me, uncontrollably and doesn’t end quickly.

This is a great couch, a heavy cherry based couch, rich tapestry, very old but very nice.  It’s heavy, I would say at least 400 pounds, I remember that because it took Trevor and James to move it back in after the house was remodeled and they both gave me hell over it, asking why I didn’t just toss it.

Hand falling from my mouth, I reach up and pull myself standing, at the edge of the couch, sliding my hands underneath the bottom. Grabbing firmly, I lift the 400 pound couch off the ground completely, and sit it back down. Back into the floor I sit again, a fit of laughter coming over me hard.

“Shit” I say to myself, tucking my head between my legs.  I close my eyes and flashes of last night flow against the back of my eye lids like the projection TV.  James cutting my neck, across my clavicles, Madlyn going after Wren (@wrenfields) to drain her. Me, walking towards Madlyn seducing her with my blood, wiping it gently across her lips. The next part? The next part didn’t go as planned. Why am I surprised?

Before Madlyn (@manicdistrss) was able to get her fangs into me, Benni (@djvoodoochild) was to catch her with a silver chain and restrain her. Madlyn, quicker, knocked him and the chain away, finding my neck and making it hers quickly. James found the chain,  roped it around her ankles, pulling her from me , and I fell into the grass. Beni administered the magic needed to break Madlyn from this spell she had been under, and she immediately made known she had taken a lot of blood and James had to decide quickly what to do. He chose what was best for me, for Madlyn to give me her blood. This created a bond between Madlyn and myself.

Sitting back up I wipe away tears that have fallen from laughing so hard.  This isn’t the first time I’ve laughed until I cried today. No, it’s the second. The first time was when I looked into the  mirror and …it was the first time I think I’ve ever considered myself beautiful.

My hands trailed across my face, skin almost glowing, hell I think my hair was glowing. My eyes were bright and lips were pink and full. I looked behind me and then back a the mirror, was this me? I lifted up my shirt and ran my hand along the tattoo that trailed down my torso … this was me alright.

And then it happened again, laughing until I cried. Leaning against the sink, laughing uncontrollably. What the hell was going on?  I mean…I know some of what was going on…the strength was obviously from feeding off of Madlyn, but the rest of it, I wanted to understand. I sat down in the bathroom floor, picked up the phone and hit speed dial number 3 for a vampire who has always taken very good care of me.

And hour later, the cell phone slipped through my hands into the floor. But I didn’t notice. My mind was speeding along the highway of WTF, and left the current world two exits behind.  Not a lot is known about bonds, I mean , there are no specific rules. But there are some things that are just facts.

Fact: I was going to be very attractive to people, humans, fae and vampire for a while.

Fact: I was going to be strong, feel healthy and be very pleased with overall demeanor. My senses will be heightened.

Fact: The closer I was to Madlyn, the more attracted to her I would be.  And when she was not close, all of those *ahem* lusty and wonderful feelings would be directed at James.  The dreams would continue until the effects of this wore off, and that is something I was going to have to learn to deal with. Although if I am honeset with you... *whispers* The dreams aren't bad, at ALL.

Fact: Even after the effects wear off? Madlyn would always be able to track me. No, we didn’t exchange enough for her to be able to influence my feelings or forever feel my feelings, but we would always have the teeny tie of her being able to track me if she put her mind to it.

This would explain the dreams. Oh yeah those dreams that we teased boys about in high school? Well, I was dealing with my own fantastic set of them now. Waking up in a sweat, leaving me wanting to pull James up against any sturdy structure for the rest of the day.  Do I tell James about Madlyn, the dreams….the desire to just call and hear her voicemail? (Shit did I just say that out loud? Yeah I did. *sigh*) Do you realize how that probably makes me look? How do you say to your best friend, your soul mate “Hey I’m crushing like whoa on Madlyn, and by the way I’d like to throw HER up against a wall.”  Would he understand? Would he forgive me? I think he would, he’s the most amazing person I know. He saved my life and then saved me from myself so many times I stopped counting. 

I look at the phone, turning it over in my hand, leaning my head back against the bathroom counter.   I’m certainly not used to not being in control of my own emotions. Jesus Ammerie, you just gotta keep your shit together for a couple weeks. You can do that , right? 

__________________________

Related blogs about this:  @WrenFields http://wrenfields.posterous.com/doubt-20

Business.

Last night I put the deposit down on our building in downtown Shreveport. It’s close enough to home and far enough away that more business will be funneled to it. I guess you could say I am 50% percent nervous and 50% excited about this. I know that @Dj_Midori and I will have a successful events business, it’s just butterflies.

The building is fantastic. It has , as James put it, character. When you walk in you see a very nice large reception area, and beautiful hardwood floors. There are four individual offices as well as a textiles room, conference room and a room that will be used to put the things together we need for the events. It could even be labled as a show room I guess. Of course, there are two bathrooms as well. The decorating is being left to @Dj_Midori , because that’s her forte and @Aeolus_Kaius has given a traditional gift of good luck to us. Of course it’s over the top - he wants to purchase all of the furnishings for the offices. It’s really sweet and he can do that, all of them but my office. I want it to be entirely mine and well, I think we all know how I feel about being given anything really.

Now, for a name. Man if this isn’t the hardest part I don’t know what is! I have been thinking about it while I cook, while I read … I’m not sure I even know what is going on in my last book. But, one will come to us, and when we know it? Mai and I will know immediately it is the one. That’s how most things usually work at least, when it feels right - go with it.

Last night after we left the building (it’s on the corner of Lincoln by the way), I had a lot of questions. James pulled over on the side of the road and unexpectedly brought me to this little field where we sat and talked. He explained all about what happens next, what he thinks the best business outline for us is and some about advertising. I think @James_Vail , well, is going to be a life saver. Between him and Aeolus we are skipping a lot of this difficult process and sort of getting to do straight away what we love, make happy happen. Hey…make happy happen. That’s a neat little slogan.

As James and I crawled in bed last night my mind was ticking off a list to get over there and do once Mai has it decorated like we want. So if you’re reading this and want to volunteer a couple of hours one night soon to hang out with us and get stuff situated at the new offices, I would be more than glad to provide champagne and food and music. We could have a merry ole time.

James, thank you for helping and being so supportive - I love you.

Highlights of a highlighter

Read from the bottom up. I pulled it off because A. it was epicly adorable and B. well done. Sometimes, this shows you, it's the little things. Small gestures can mean more than a poorly written proposal let's say. Again scroll down and read up. These are @James_Vail's tweets after @AmmerieRain fell asleep holding one of Halleigh's infamous erasable highlighters.

Have a good night, twitter.

-Smilin' as @AmmerieRain curls up in my arms and gets comfortable. Kissin' her face softly, then driftin' off.....-

@poeticimmortal -Grin- Have a good night man. Talk with you again soon. 

@poeticimmortal -Coverin' @AmmerieRain's ears.- Petunia's a sensitive subject around here.... -Laughin' hard.-

-Whisperin' sweet things in @AmmerieRain's ear, tryin' to convince her to not run off with the highlighter and leave me in the dust.- 

@poeticimmortal -Yawnin' a little and grinnin'.- Just hope I don't dream about her runnin' off into the sunset with a damn highlighter... 

@poeticimmortal Man, I gave up on the damn thing. She's got a death grip on it. -Laughin' and shakin' my head.- Y'all have a good night.

-Pullin' the blanket up over @AmmerieRain and I, then pullin' her in close and kissin' her forehead. Smoothin' her hair outta her face.- 

@poeticimmortal -Smilin' and noddin'.- I couldn't agree with you more. Well, tell Victor I said hey and I look forward to seein' y'all. 

@poeticimmortal Oh man, don't I know that's true. -Turnin' off the side lamp and pullin' @AmmerieRain close with a grin.- She's my world. 

@poeticimmortal -Grinnin'- And that's exactly how it should be. Sounds like y'all are in the right mindset. -Laughin'-

-Yawnin' some as I finish my Sodoku puzzle. Sittin' it aside and checkin' my phone for emails.- 

@poeticimmortal I don't give a fuck what people think of me and Ammerie's relationship. Hers is the only opinion that matters. -Grin- 

I'd rather be a fool in love, than a fool all alone.

@poeticimmortal -Laughin'- Well at least not to each other. Anyone else lookin' on? Yeah...fools in love. -Grin- 

@poeticimmortal I don't mind one bit. It's nice to be around people of the same caliber. -Grinnin'- Lovesick I mean. -Wink- 

-Raisin' my brow and watchin' as @AmmerieRain curls up next to me with the highlighter under her face.- That can't be comfortable...

Hmm wait a tic..... -Laughin'-about 22 hours ago from web

@poeticimmortal Awesome. -Grinnin'- I'm sure Ammerie'd love to spend some time relaxin' with her two favorite men besides me. -Laughin'-

@poeticimmortal I think it'd be cool to meet up and chill in Europe for a bit. I mean, if y'all wouldn't mind two tag-alongs. -Laughin'- 

@poeticimmortal Sounds fantastic. -Grinnin'- Maybe our travels will let us meet up at some point. 

@poeticimmortal Where are you guys headed? Ammerie and I were thinkin' of headin' out to New Zealand next.

-Turnin' on the side lamp and grabbin' my sodoku puzzle. Eyeballin' that stupid Tamagotchi to make sure he didn't poop again.-about 22 hours ago from web

@AmmerieRain -Givin' in and lettin' you hang on to the highlighter. Kissin' your forehead, then climbin' in bed with you.-

@poeticimmortal I'm learnin' that real quick. -Laughin' hard.- So where are you and Victor now? Still in Vegas?

@poeticimmortal -Laughin' as I struggle with a sleepin' @AmmerieRain and her highlighter.- Goin' pretty damn good. She's attached to this.

Death grip. Damn. 

@AmmerieRain -Settlin' you into the bed. Pullin the blanket up around you and tryin' to get the highlighter outta your hands.- Give it here!

@poeticimmortal -Laughin'- Hey Peter. How's it goin'?

@AmmerieRain -Carefully liftin' you up from the floor and carryin' you into the bedroom. Laughin' when you cuddle your highlighter.-

She loves those damn things.

@AmmerieRain What the......? -Smilin' at my baby curled up on the floor. Laughin' at the fact that she's holdin' a highlighter.-