Date:         Thu, 18 Aug 1994 13:54:56 -0230
 
 
** This little scene takes place directly after the last episode.
Impossible, I know, but I liked the idea.
 
 
 
MASTER
 
Copyright 1994, Mary Farrell, Ravenette
 
 
 
The Raven was, as usual, very crowded.  Janette signaled one of the
bouncers with a wave of her gloved hand to prevent any more people from
entering for the moment.  She sat on her usual stool by the bar, surveying
the crowd.  What was it she had said to Nicholah?  Dancing as if Father
Time was shooting bullets at their heels?  They certainly were tonight.
If anything, the crowd seemed more energetic than usual.  As if to echo her
thoughts, Alma came up and stood next to her.
 
"What a bunch!  Everyone's so wired!"
 
"I noticed.  A special event in the city?"
 
Alma frowned in thought.  "Not that I know of."  As usual, Alma's powers of
concentration caused her mind to wander off the topic at hand almost
immediately.  "What time did you say that shipment of booze will be in
tomorrow?"
 
"Late afternoon," Janette replied, stirring her drink with her finger, "And
it's two hundred year old Scotch, Alma.  It is *not* 'booze'".
 
"Whatever.  Who's going to stay up and sign for it?"
 
"Alexander has agreed to come over and accept it."  Alma turned and smiled
winningly at the handsome bartender.  She was about to go down the other
end of the bar to talk to him when Janette's manicured nail hooked into her
belt.  "Alma," she said evenly.
 
"I know."  Alma rolled her eyes, and spoke as if reciting a grocery list.
"Rule No. 1, Don't play with the mortal staff, Rule No. 2, If you are
caught playing with the mortal staff, make sure you have a jar of SPF 4000
sunscreen with you.."
 
"*Some*thing like that," Janette said.  She lifted her glass to her mouth
and was just about to take a drink, when she stopped, and her eyes widened.
 
Alma's next comment stopped on her lips.  She'd never seen that expression on
Janette's face before.
 
"What's wrong?"
 
Janette's eyes were staring off in the distant, passed the dancers, passed
the crowd.
 
"Janette?  C'mon, snap out of it!"  She poked her in the arm with one
finger.  Janette blinked and looked at her as if not seeing her.  She shook her
head and slid off the stool, threading her way towards her office.  "Mind the
shop," she called back over her shoulder.  Alma stared after her.
 
**************************
 
LaCroix flew through the air effortlessly.  The blood had been rich and
plentiful.  His eyes still held the faintest touch of red.  He was
completly healed now, and ready to exact his revenge.  How dare he!   How
dare his own creation try to destroy him!  He was his Master!  He would
make him pay for his treachery and betrayal.  How dare he defy him!  The child
*would* obey the parent once again.  If only he could stay out of the reach
of...too late!!  A familiar shiver ran through him.  A summoning.  A voice
in his mind.  One word.  "COME."  Her turned in mid air.
 
**************************
 
The back alley behind the club echoed softly with the music that blared
inside.  LaCroix landed, and his heightened vision searched the shadows,
coming to rest on a figure leaning against the wall, regarding him cooly.
He sensed his other child, peering from a doorway.  Did she really think he
would not feel her?  He decided to ignore her, for now.
 
"You're strong again."  The voice that spoke to him held no surprise.  It was
cool and emotionless.
 
"It took a long while...I'm ready now."
 
"For what?  For revenge?  You should be proud of him.  It's really the
first time he's completely stood up to you, you know."
 
"You like that, don't you?", he sneered at the shadow, "You like it when he
gives me trouble.  You always did!"
 
"I like to see you getting some of your own, darling.  You know you've
caused ME enough trouble since I turned you."  They both heard the figure in
hiding gasp.  The shadow detached itself from the wall and walked over to
LaCroix, tracing the curve of his jaw with one long finger.  He tried to
remain still, but trembled inside.  The other sensed this and smiled.  "You
will stay away from him...for now."  When LaCroix would speak, the figure
raised its hand. "Do NOT defy me again!  I have plans for him.  You will
have your chance!  Do you understand?"
 
"He almost killed me!"  LaCroix hissed, but did not move away from the hand
that caressed his cheek.
 
"Do.  You.  Understand?"  The voice had gotten cold and hard as a diamond.
"You will NOT survive if you attempt to defy *me*...You know that."
 
"Yes," he sneered, defiant but unable to resist the eyes..the voice, of the
one so much older than he.  "Yes...Master."
 
"Good.  I *am* glad you are well again."  The voice had gotten silky and
the figure in the shadows watched LaCroix close his eyes as the hand passed
over his lips.  "You *will* have your chance, LaCroix.  I promise.  Yes?"
 
"Soon?"  He was completely mesmerised by the figure.  The woman in the
shadows shivered, having never seen her Master submit so completely before.
 
"Soon."
 
LaCroix smiled and caught the hand, kissing the back of it.  He stepped
back, still watching the figure, and flew up into the air.  In an instant,
there was only two people left.  The figure turned swiftly, and in a split
second, had pulled the woman from her hiding place.  The woman stared into
old, powerful eyes and succumbed to the voice in her head.
 
"You will forget everything you just heard.  You have just come out of the
club to get some air."
 
"Yes..."  The woman blinked, shook her head and regarded the person next to
her with surprise.
 
"What'cha doing out here?"
 
"I wanted to make sure the ramp was in place for the shipment tomorrow.
And I needed some air."
 
"Yeah...uh...me too."  Alma shook her head, there was something she should
remember, something that...but it was gone.
 
"Come, Alma, we'd better be getting back."
 
Alma nodded, turned, still slightly dazed, and followed Janette back into the
club.
 
THE END