Standing Up
Title: Standing up
Author: @GemRoux and @Kezaiya
Word Count: 1,136 words
Characters: @GemRoux @VinnyT_BD @Kezaiya (mentioned: @StringerBellBD, @ScoopStone @SenatorStryker, @TrayDawsonBT
Feedback? Please!
Summary: Kezi asks Gem to be her bridesmaid. Part of the Royal Wedding SL featuring @Kezaiya and @KingFelipeTB
Cooling her heels at @VinnyT_BD's place was not @GemRoux's idea of fun. He, @StringerBellBD and #Eli were all busy digging into who was behind the murder of @JackMcKenna and now the misdeeds of @SenatorStryker. Gem felt completely left out and slightly ignored. Which was totally stupid and unfair. She hadn't come back to work, after all, she was hiding out from whatever had attacked @TrayDawsonBT's place looking for her.
Gem had to admit, she'd enjoyed her outings with Stringer and @ScoopStone even if it was just to talk to that adle-pated shrew @ElmaVaudry Sometimes she missed working for Vinny. Hell, she missed working, period. This forced idleness was beginning to wear on her. She wished she had something, anything to do. Preferably something useful. She just wished she knew what to do. Maybe Stringer was right, maybe she should talk to @Kezaiya about being reassigned.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Curious, and being the only one here who wasn't hip deep or higher in work at the moment, Gem went to answer the door. She checked the security feed before approaching. It was unlikely that an enemy would make it to the door, but after the last scare, Gem wasn't into taking any chances. She was surprised to see Kezaiya waiting in the hall. Gem rushed to open the door for her.
Kezi stepped over the threshold and into Vinny's place like she owned it. Which she didn't. But she wasn't going to let that stand in her way. Gem wisely shut and locked the door behind the ancient vampire before facing her.
“Welcome, Keziaya. Vinny is busy at the moment, but if you care to take a seat, I'll go let him know you're here,” Gem said.
“I didn't come to see Vinny,” Kezi told her, dark eyes raking the girl's face and form, looking for signs of injury.
Gem paused, then understanding bloomed in her eyes. Eyes that very quickly sought the floor.
“Oh, I'm afraid he and I are the only ones here...” Gem said, hoping she was wrong about why Kezi was here.
“I am aware of that,” Kezi said. “I cam to see you.”
To her credit, Gem neither winced nor sighed. She had known the quiet of the last few months wouldn't last. It was only a matter of time before the vampires called on her services. It wasn't like they coud call on anyone else.
“I see,” Gem said softly. “Let me get Vinny and my coat.”
“You won't need either,” Kezi told her.
Gem's head and eyes jumped up to Kezi's face in clear surprise. She didn't know what to say.
“Let us sit,” Kezi said, walking purposefully over to the sofa where Gem had been lying earlier.
Gem followed docilely. She couldn't imagine what was on Kezi's mind if it wasn't business. Taking the seat the vampire indicated, she waited for Kezi to tell her why she was here.
“You were attacked recently.”
A statement, not a question. Gem nodded seeing no need to elaborate. It wasn't a secret after all. Both Vinny and Kyvan had filed reports. Even she had filed a report.
“You're security has become lax,” Kezi began.
Gem stiffened, insulted for Tray and Kyvan.
“No, it hasn't,” she argued. “I'm safe and still in Authority hands.”
“Barely,” Kezi sneered. “My understanding is that it was luck and happenstance more than effective security that brought you here.”
“Effective security means knowing how to take advantage of opportunities,” Gem countered. “Besides the how, as I am often told, is not nearly as important as the results.”
Kezaiya studied the girl. Her loyalty and logic were admirable. They would be useful as well.
“Under ordinary circumstances, perhaps that is true,” Kezi allowed, “but you must admit, your circumstances are hardly ordinary. Unless you know the WereWitches in question?”
Gem shook her head. Until that night, she didn't even know there was such a thing as a WereWitch. Since then she'd done her homework and knew as much as there was to know about them without actually knowing one. Which she didn't think she did.
“I thought not,” a satisfied smile curled Kezi's lips. “Get your things, you are coming with me.”
“What?” Gem gaped.
“Get your things,” Kezi repeated. “You are being relocated immediately.”
“No!” Gem cried. “Why?”
The distress in the girl's eyes didn't please Kezi but it would serve her. She was out of other choices.
“Because you cannot go unguarded with the highest ranks of vampire society coming to town for my wedding,” Kezi informed her. “The risk, not just of someone biting you unaware but of someone stealing you away is too great. Vinny has his hands full already and Kyvan is performing.”
Gem blinked at Kezi. She couldn't fault the logic but she had the feeling that if she willingly returned to the Authority's clutches she might never get out of them again. There had to be another way. She wouldn't be a captive or a hostage ever again if she could help it.
Sensing Gem's growing panic at the prospect of being confined, Kezi took pity on her.
“It will not be permanent, just while were are entertaining so many guests,” Kezi said.
Gem clearly didn't believe her. Smart girl.
“And I could use a...bridesmaid,” Kezi smiled, playing her ace card. “Roya is gone and her permanent replacement has not arrived. If I must marry, I would have a...friend present. At least someone I can count on to keep my interests in mind and help with the “bridely” things.”
Gem just stared. The idea was...preposterous. She racked her brain for someone, anyone more suitable to bridesmaid duty. And came up completely blank. Kezi's Roya was the obvious choice but she wasn't here and elderly to boot. Keziaya's Progeny, at least those Gem knew of were male. She didn't have a dayperson and she had no idea who her Maker was or if they still existed. Not that Kezi could ask her Maker to do the millions of little tasks, many of them quite menial that a weeding thrown together on short notice was likely to require. She could have picked a vampire but it was likely there would be things that needed to be taken care of during daylight hours. Finally, Gem gave the vampire a curt nod.
“I would be honored to assist you,” Gem said softly and not entirely falsely. “Just let me get my things.”
“Take your time,” Kezi said. “I need to have a word with Vinny.”
Both women rose. As Gem went off to pack, Kezi walked, unannounced, into Vinny's office. She was pleased to find him waiting for her.
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Disclaimer: This is an original work of fiction. Other than my own original characters, I do not own all the characters mentioned, they are the property of their creators and/or role players. Tray Dawson is the property of Charlaine Harris in the Southern Vampire Mysteries novel series.