Chapter Text
Claudia was still a fledgling, but she was learning from both her Father and her Uncle. Her Uncle Lestat was more than willing to teach her everything to do with hunting and immortal gifts. Anything that showcased the power of the vampire. The questions he avoided, Louis was usually able to answer. It was a good life with them. She never found herself wanting. They were an odd little family of their own. They were happy just the three of them. Uncle Les taught her how to play piano, and Daddy Lou read his books to her and always asked her thoughts afterwards. They would have family outings, often to see the newest picture show or an opera that Uncle Les had seen a dozen times. They joked and danced and laughed. It was a lot like the families in the picture shows.
It was nice for a while, but Claudia was starting to get restless. Where were the other vampires? She loved Daddy Lou and Uncle Les dearly, but where were other vampires? Ones her own age? These were the types of questions Lestat usually side-stepped. He tried to convince her that there was nothing she was missing out on. “Vampires are solitary,” he said. She tried to ask Louis, and he seemed as unsure as she was. Claudia took this to mean that Lestat may be right. Maybe there was nothing to know. She decided to put the thoughts away for the time being.
One evening, Lestat presented both Louis and Claudia with tickets to the latest show at the local Opera House. Lestat was beside himself, as usual, and Louis was trying to mirror his enthusiasm. Claudia tried to seem excited, but was only able to present an unconvincing grimace. Lestat took on a slightly annoyed expression at her lack of enthusiasm.
Louis snickered to himself at the exchange before Jumping in,“That’s why we need to get you a new dress. You know, for this special occasion.”
Claudia immediately perked up at this. “Really?,” She asked, bouncing in her seat, ”Can we go tonight?”
“Well I don’t know if-”
Lestat cut him off, taking a hold of any excitement he could get,”Of course, Ma Petite.”
Claudia squealed and rushed to grab her coat and shoes. Louis looked after her fondly before turning the same look on Lestat. He couldn’t hide his grin as he admonished Lestat.
“You spoil her too much.”
“Joy will not always come so simply, Mon Cher.”
Claudia was nearly floating down the street. Both Lestat and Louis wore smug grins on their faces. It wasn’t too late, but any shop owners were typically more than willing to accommodate the late night business of these beautiful strangers. They had a way about them.
“This is a shop of impeccable taste, I assure you, Mon Cher.”, Lestat said while gesticulating with both hands.
Louis walked with both hands in his pockets admiring both loves of his life. Both were radiating a glow that was a rare sight for the vampire.
“I don’t doubt it. You are particular about your fashions,” he paused for a second. He broke into a bigger grin than before, saying “That means it’s French, don’t it?” That got a loud giggle out of Claudia. She spun to look at them while she walked backwards.
Lestat rolled his eyes and gave Louis a sly smile.
As they entered the shop a small bell tinkled over the door. A petite older woman greeted them as they came in. Lestat’s face lit up at the woman’s thick french-accented english.
“Oh la la! Louis, I told you this was a place of good taste!,” he exclaimed as he began to greet her in french. Louis rolled his eyes. He had been teasing Lestat earlier when he said the shop was French, but there is a shred of truth in every joke he supposed. Lestat introduced himself, in French. He explained, they were here to find only the finest new pieces for his niece to wear on their night out. Making sure to include how lovely the older woman’s shop was as well as the garments on display. He prattled on about how he knew they were in the right place. Especially when he heard the lovely french vowels coming from her mouth. And some other compliments that caused a young girl behind the counter to grimace. Louis simply stood to the side and shook his head.
Claudia looked at the girl, “ Do you know what all they’re sayin’?” The girl grinned and responded, “Unfortunately. Just know he’s laying it on thick.” Louis guffawed at that. That broke the trance Lestat’s compliments had put on the woman. She was quick to throw a “Chut!” in the girl’s direction. Which she playfully rolled her eyes at. Lestat switched back to english, “This is Claudia, my niece that will only have the best. I see you have one here of your own as well?”
“Oui! This is my granddaughter, Celeste. She is here to help with anything you need as well! Claudia, dear, would you like to look at some of the pieces we have?”
Claudia nodded and followed her around the store with Lestat following eagerly after them. Louis strolled casually behind the other three. There were a few dresses that earned tame praise from Claudia. Then she let out a sudden gasp, “Oh what about this one Uncle Les?”
“It is perfect, ma petite. That color will look great on you.”
“Do you think?,” She asked back excitedly, “Please, Daddy Lou, can we get it?”
Louis had been quiet for most of the visit with only a wide smile while he watched them fuss over the different choices.He kept his smile while he teased, “Now I know you both like to fly by the seat of your pants, but let’s at least try it on before we make any hasty decisions.”
“These are not pants, this is a dress ,Daddy Lou, but fine.”
With that the woman took the dress down from its hanger and had Claudia put it on before directing her toward the trifold mirror at the front of the shop. It was a light pink dress that cut off about mid-shin. It was a silky material with flowers embroidered into the fabric of the bodice that trailed down onto the skirt. Uncle Les was right, the color did look great on her. She stood in front of the mirror and spun around a few times and exclaimed, “I love it!” Even though there were some areas that still needed to be altered. Her happiness and giggles at the dress were contagious and made Celeste genuinely smile.
The older woman sat on her stool below Claudia so she could pin any alterations that needed to be made,’’Alright now, stay still so I don’t stick you by accident. My Celeste learned the hard way.”
“Memere!,” Celeste shouted, embarrassed.
Claudia let out a small giggle and smiled. Celeste felt her face grow hot as the blood quickly rushed to it. Claudia’s face suddenly dropped and became quite blank as if she were in a trance. Lestat quickly moved from his spot next to the mirror in front of Claudia to in front of the counter where Celeste sat. Louis moved from where he stood to wrap a hand around Claudia's arm. He stared at her intently, almost like he could speak to her without moving his lips. Claudia only gazed in Celeste’s direction. There were a few moments of silence. It wasn’t clear what was happening, but something was… off. “D-did I do something wrong?,” Celeste managed to stutter out. Lestat quickly answered,”Oh no! My niece sometimes has these spells, nothing you can really do to prevent them I’m afraid.”
“Oh, does she need water or somethin’?,” Celeste offered, trying to escape the tension in the room. Memere decided to step in, “Yes, Chère, why don’t you bring the set.” Celeste left to grab their nice glass pitcher and the several matching glasses. As she was filling the pitcher Celeste could hear Claudia apologizing and her grandmother placating her. Celeste returned to the store front only for Claudia to decline the water and apologize again for ‘being a bother’.
About that time, two young women entered the store. The shop owner greeted them and asked them to wait a moment while she finished up with Claudia. She asked Celeste to offer them glasses of water. They both accepted, but it was clear by the looks on their faces that they did not like being told to wait. They begrudgingly took a seat on the small couch by the door. They set their glasses next to the pitcher on the table in front of them, and began looking through some of the catalogues spread across the table top. A couple minutes had passed when one of the women looked Claudia up and down before making a comment to her friend that made them burst into giggles.
Celeste didn’t hear what was said, but she didn’t have to. She could feel their hatefulness from across the store the same as she would the burning heat of the fireplace when sitting on the hearth in their living room. The look on Claudia’s face was a mix of anger and embarrassment. Celeste glared at the girls. Then one of the glass shattered. The girl it had sat in front of shrieked. Not in pain, but from fear and surprise. Only a few moments went by before the second glass shattered causing both girls to shriek this time, and a moment later the pitcher overturned, pouring all its water in their direction, soaking their stockings and shoes. The two ladies stood up together with gasps and scoffs before rushing out of the shop.
Everyone stilled in a stunned silence. There was a unique static energy in the air. No one could truly point a finger at Celeste, but the smirk she held on her face made her a suspect. Claudia looked towards Celeste in delighted awe. The woman turned in Celeste’s direction, giving her a glossy stare. ”Démoniaque Fille,” she said in a hushed voice. Celeste’s look of triumph quickly disappeared. After a few seconds her grandmother began to scold her in a raised voice. Her berate of French finally ended in, “Barre-toi!” Her fists were clenched in anger and her lips pressed together tight. She directed her strangled voice at Celeste, “Go upstairs, find your Grandfather.”
Celeste stood in her place for a moment. She wore a serious tightlipped expression of her own. “We don’t want them as customers.” She said before turning and leaving the room. Claudia felt a pang of sadness at her leaving.
As they walked through their front door, Claudia had an excitement about her. As soon as the door shut behind them Claudia began, “That girl, she was a vampire, right? She’s gotta be.”
Louis hesitated before answering, "I don't know, it felt different.”
Lestat quickly followed up, “No, she is not a vampire. You are not to talk to her.”
Claudia shot back, “ Why not? She obviously moved those things with her mind. And she’s my age! Another vampire, we could -”
“What? Be friends?,” Lestat asked mockingly. ”She is not a Vampire. Do not talk to her”, He repeated.
“How do you know she’s not? Why are you always so unfriendly? Never want to talk to nobody. You won’t even wave at people on the street.”
He had walked into the living room, turning his back to her. “What is the point of greeting your food, Ma petite?”,He laughed.
“Daddy Lou!”
Louis let out a gentle sigh. He wanted to treat this delicately. He knew Claudia was lonely. “He does have a point. This girl could be dangerous.”
“Thank you, Mon Cher,” Lestat yelled, but Louis decidedly ignored.
“It did feel different. Uncle Les is just trying to keep you safe. He does know some things.”
“You keep sayin’ that! Feels different from what? What other vampires do you know? Me and Lestat?
Lestat threw up his hands, “Oh, not this again.”
Louis’ voice became more agitated, a little firmer, maybe even hurt. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he answered,” Yes. And you two are enough. Les?”
“Yes, it is enough. I can tell you all vampires feel like other vampires. And she is not one. There are other creatures in New Orleans.”
Lestat regretted his choice of words as soon as it left his lips. It only intensified Claudia’s curiosity.
She looked at Lestat, both surprised and delighted, “Really?”
He had caught Louis’ attention as well. The man turned toward him. His facial expression was blank, but intrigued.
Lestat let out an aggravated sigh, “Yes, but we are still not to interact with them. Ever.”
Claudia wasn’t deterred, “What Else?”
Louis interjected flatly, “Witches.”
Lestat huffed in exasperation before replying, “Yes.”
Louis forgot about discouraging Claudia. “We were always told growing up, not to go near the Mayfair house. I thought it was some old wives’ tale to scare kids.”
“I don’t know anything about any Mayfairs, but that is what I was considering. He paused a moment before spinning the conversation, “See Louis agrees. We stay away from them.”
Claudia’s hopeful look from earlier had returned, “Surely, it wouldn’t hurt to know other immortals?”
“They are not immortal. They live longer than the average mortal, but they are merely mortal with insight. We are meant to kill and eat them all the same.”
“So you have met one, then? A witch. Talked to one?”
He walks to stand in front of her, making direct eye contact with her, “You are not to speak to that girl. Or any of them. End of discussion.” Then he turns and walks up stairs.
Louis and Claudia are left alone in the foyer. Both were silent, Claudia was glaring at the wall and Louis was looking around awkwardly.
Louis finally spoke, “He seems very serious about this. We don’t talk to any of them, understand?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I mean it, Claudia”
She fixes him with a cold gaze, “I know, so do I.”