Page 14 of 14
Re: Zodiac's Grimoire and Diary
Posted: 26 Mar 2020, 02:36
by Zodiac
Volume 15, Page 98
3/25/2020 7:48 PM
It was inevitable.
She looked over the message in her phone one final time to be sure all was worded properly.
TO: The employees of the Pandora Project.
FROM: ‘Da Boss Lady’
SUBJECT: Closing.
I never thought a stupid virus would be the straw that broke our backs.
We have survived hard times, public opinion, and zombie hoards, but like the Martians in HG Wells tale, it was the littlest thing that ended their story.
Effective immediately, as dictated by Government orders, the operations known as Pandora’s Box, The Eye of Zodiac, The Pentacle Teahouse, and Enchanted Weddings, Inc are considered non essential operations and in light of the CONVID-19 pandemic are to be closed until further notice. I have no control over this, but at Midnight tonight all shops will be locked down to the public. Some of you will be called in to do a cleaning/re-storage, and dispensing of all perishable items the following day. Most will be taken to local food pantries in town, but some will be available for staff as well.
The proper paperwork is being prepared for all employees for processing unemployment claims as well as references to help with finding employment elsewhere if that is your choice and will be available for pick up on Friday at Pandora’s Box. All paperwork not picked up by 9 PM will be mailed.
Some of you have been here since the Project began and the rest have joined during our 9 years of operations. I thank all of you for your hard work and dedication. When the lockdown is over, I will send out a mass mailing to invite all of you back to your former positions. If you decide to decline or find employment elsewhere to your liking, PLEASE reply and let me know. There will be no hard feelings on my part.
I also wish to take a moment in this to address something else. I have heard some of you wondering if some of the staff in the four shops are vampires or not. I honestly do not know. It wasn’t a question to be asked on the applications all of you filled out and I never asked. But, if there are, I must ask you
Has anyone been accosted, assaulted or attacked by a vampire while working for me?
If they have, none have reported it to myself or any law enforcement, This suggests one of two things.
One: there is no vampires in my employ, or Two– they are just like the living. Just trying to pay their bills, keep a roof over their heads and minding their own business. All I know is the individuals who make up our collective workforce do their jobs and do them well. No government order has come down directing me to check my staff to see if they are alive or not and I am not about to start such a thing. Let your experiences here help guide your common sense on this subject. From what I have seen, they are just like the average living people. Some good, some bad, all just trying to survive.
If you have questions on any of this or more personal situations concerning your job, contact myself or Jennifer Hayes. Blessings to all of you. Be safe and take care of yourselves. When our doors open again, I will need you all.
Sincerely,
‘Da Boss Lady’ (aka: Mistress Zodiac.)
This was like the 9th rewrite she had done. The entire subject was breaking what was left of her heart. It was like the Universe was systematically chopping away at the foundations she had managed to stabilize her ‘life’ upon. Causing the whole deal to begin teetering and swaying in the breeze. Of them all, her business empire had been THE Rock, but it too now was questionable.
Financially she would survive, but she worried about her workers. She had found the right balance of individuals and now the door was open for them to scatter to the four winds.
”When would this Karma dump end?” she wondered.
With a sigh, she sent the message out to her collective staff.
(tbc)
Re: Zodiac's Grimoire and Diary
Posted: 26 Mar 2020, 15:34
by Zodiac
CONVID was a mixed blessing in the town of Harper Rock, if no place else on Earth.
Staying indoors meant people were safer and not just from the virus. Self quarantine also kept one safe from street violence, random monsters from the Shadow Realm, zombies, and the occasional psycho vampire who had as much compassion for the living as the living had for a rat. Less traffic meant cleaner air. Less pollution generated meant the water quality was better. The fact people were hiding from the virus kept them safe from other things as well, so in a way it was a blessing.
On the downside, quarantine meant a lot of the criminal elements could move freer in their dealings. Anyone caught outside at night had more to be worried about than a virus. The police and the Guard were stretched thin as it was. They didn’t want to get sick either. Hoarding was starting to have its effects as well. People would eventually run out of necessities and need to restock-only to find shops and stores lacking.
”And what about vampires?” she wondered. They were always hungry and with a lack of available ‘food’ out and about, some of their numbers might have to find new ways to quench that thirst. She doubted blood packs would be available for much longer. The odds were quite good this new micro invader would do little, if anything, to them, but Nature could be tricky when she fancied. How long till her process (possibly helped by science) produced something that did effect them in their unique place between the living and the dead. A vampire with a head cold sounded like a joke until one really considered how said vampire caught the cold to begin with.
She had tried to get some of the data on the virus. Perhaps a holistic or supernatural viewpoint might find a way to help bring it to heel. Sadly, her inquiries met brick walls. No one had time or the inclination to send her anything that she required. As one self important scientist told her in a quickly written reply ‘What does basically a witch doctor in a backwoods town like Harper Rock think she can accomplish when the best minds on the planet can’t figure it out?’
’Arrogant pricks. The lot of them.” Could she brew a cure? Doubtful, but she had hopes she could in time make something to ease the intensity of it or cancel out the more harmful aspects of it. Science was just like the cool kids on the playground. It’s our ball and we don’t have to share. Even if they had no idea how to use the ball properly.
The biggest problem science had was it failed to take into account one thing that could not be explained under a microscope. Human nature.
How many people had she encountered that maintained they felt fine as they went about their business as normal. Too many. Yes, she shook hands with clients and even hugged a few in simple confidence that the virus would have almost zero (if not total zero) effect on her, but that was her. The living continued to be the living and she could just picture the virus being a type of chain letter moving from person to person. It was like the thing in the novel The Stand Everyone was getting invites to the Corona party without even knowing it and then passing invites of their own.
Science could fix many things, but not human stupidity. Nothing it would come up with would work as long as people were people.
Martial law would not help. Again, the ones enforcing it had no wish to get in on the Corona party, and armed soldiers on the streets would inspire first obedience, then fear, then eventually revolt. And the living were scared of a war between them and vampires? The living would fight the living while the true target of the rage just kept skipping along from person to person.
Madness personified.
Humanity would survive. She was sure of that much, but the reactions to the situation at hand told her if this was a plague of apocalyptic proportions it would be the end game for the living.
Her phone chirped and she saw a message from Jennifer. It said simply TALK TO ME which was code for Zo to contact her telepathically.
(tbc)
Re: Zodiac's Grimoire and Diary
Posted: 28 Mar 2020, 14:31
by Zodiac
”What is going on?” Zodiac spoke in Jennifer’s mind while Jenn replied by talking into the phone.
“I had just arrived in the Tomkin warehouse to put some of your more ‘personal’ stuff in order upstairs.”
Translation: I was putting away some of your more vampire type supplies.
“When I heard the door unlock and open downstairs. Caught a couple of your normals…”
Translation: Normals = human workers.
“Breaking into the storage warehouse downstairs.”
”WHAT? WHY?
“Oh yes. Seems they remembered you had a supply of toilet paper for employee use in there along with sanitizer and other things. Problem is they were grabbing a few other things that had nothing to do with surviving a quarantine and they was helping themselves.”
”Are you okay?’
“No worries. Chain is right behind me staring them down. He has the alarm system so it lets him know if something is off in all the places, so he got here quick. I called the police. What do you want to do about this?”
’I’ll be there shortly. I am in the area.’
She was already at the small apartment she had in the area printing out the paperwork she was preparing for her people.
“Come as yourself. The police are already arriving.” Jennifer whispered into the phone.
A burst of speed solved the problem of appearance. She left her weapons on the bed (knowing how twitchy Harper Rock’s finest could be at times) and walked 3 blocks to the warehouse. She could see the flashing red and blue lights as she approached. Jennifer was in view, watching for her, and waved her to come to the back where the loading dock was.
Another heartbreak met her eyes as she came around the corner. The two (human) women being grilled by the police. By the dock sat the car of one of them. The trunk was open and half filled with items they were in the process of removing while her security expert kept a close eye on all that was happening.
One of the officers turned to the gypsy. ID and such was shown. All the pleasantry one must show to the minions of law and such. Once they were satisfied, the gypsy turned her full attentions to the traitors in her ranks . She listened without comment as the two plead their case as a rage began to build within her. The fact that these two were not recent hires or temps, but people who had been with her for years only made the issue more painful.
Weren’t they part of her tribe?
Helping themselves to supplies? Did they feel that entitled or did they think their employer was that soft? Supplies she had ordered and kept stock as a courtesy to her living staff. The hand sanitizers were nice. They smelled good and helped keep her own hands safe and clean during the course of business. But toilet paper? There was a pallet of paper products in storage. It never occurred to her to ask if any needed some, but if she had she would have been handing them out herself.
Like a vampire has a need to wipe their ***?
She never abused her living workers. She needed them. A full staff of competent vampires is a good thing until situations involving daylight came into play. Between herself and Jennifer they sorted out the best that applied and moved them up or down within their system as their skills and efforts merited. She, ironically, had to take a far firmer stance with the ‘night help’, especially when they found themselves taking orders from a human. None of them dared challenged Jennifer's authority, but whined and complained when a 'snack' was put above them in the chain of things.
Others of her kind warned her such ingratitude would rear its face one day. She didn’t want to accept that. She spoiled her people, living and otherwise, and made sure they were protected.
She turned and approached the car and looked over the contents of the trunk so far. She could see in the window the back seat was stuffed with paper products, but the trunk concerned her more. Merchandise. None of the cheap novelty trinkets they sold at a cheap price for amusements. The real stuff. Things collectors and serious students of the Esoteric arts would pay a high price for.
Stealing to survive was one thing she could have sympathy with. It was how she had to grow up. But outright thievery for profit from one who had done so much for them?
And was this a first time event, or had more vanished over time?
A soft cracking noise was heard. Zodiac’s hands had been resting on the lip of the trunk and as her rage filled her, the plastic liner inside the trunk was breaking under the pressure of her grip. Her eyes aglow and her fangs extended. A large hand settled on her back gently. She looked up and saw Chain, one of her most loyal people, standing there.
“Try and chill, boss.” The giant whispered. “Not in front of the cops.”
She nodded and took a deep breath before turning back to the others. Not a trace of her anger on her face. She directed Jennifer to stand near the two women so she could translate. Zodiac put on her best smile and she could see the relief wash over the two girl’s faces.
I would like to thank the two of you for pointing out a serious oversight on my part, she began. I had forgotten I had an abundance of products in storage that could be most helpful to my staff in this time. I will have to send out a notice telling them I will be passing this type of stuff out for free to my employees this Friday.
However,
the smile vanished.
You come here in the middle of the night, betray my trust, and seek to make a profit instead of just taking what you need? You think that is an acceptable thing in spite of all the good I have done for you? A bit of a tremor came to her hands as she signed. And then have the nerve to beg me for mercy once you have been caught? How much more before this?
The two began to speak, but a slashing motion across the gypsy’s throat cowed them back into silence.
No more. No more. You are both fired. Officers? she turned to face the policemen. I am pressing full charges. Arrest them. That’s right, girls. No unemployment, sick and personal days vanished, and anyone calling with interest of hiring you will be told about this, and never return to me in hopes of a job.
Even Jennifer raised an eyebrow at the words. She knew Zodiac had as much use and trust in the system of law than she did for week old garbage, so to toss anyone into the system like that was rare-unheard of-for her to do. Zo turned her back as the girls began to beg and plead as the cops placed them in handcuffs. Jennifer handled the rest of the exchanges with the officers while the mystic continued to look off into the darkness ignoring their pleas.
Traitors in the ranks. In her tribe in childhood, thieves preying upon other members of the tribe would have punished then exiled. These people, both living and not, were her tribe now. A tribe was an alliance of souls. A tribe was love. Tough love when required. A tribe did not sympathies or make excuses for those who prey on other members of their own tribe.
Next time, she would be far less merciful.
These two were lucky Jennifer had called the police.
Very lucky.
*****
TO: The employees of the Pandora Project.
FROM: ‘Da Boss Lady’
SUBJECT: Necessities and details
Just a side note. In this time of people going crazy thinking toilet tissue is going to keep them virus free, I am opening my supply closet so to speak.
Friday, when you come to Pandy’s to pick up your forms I will have ‘gift bags’ available. Toilet paper, paper towels, tissue, sanitizer, cleaning supplies and equipment. Over time I have stocked up on these items in the main warehouse when the price was right. None of it will be doing anyone any good with the doors to the shops locked till further notice, so a small gift to help all along in these strange times. Drinks and treats will also be available. I should have thought of this sooner, but with everything happening at once, even I can’t keep it all straight. Still, better late than never. Another way to show how much I value each and every one of you. We are tribe. And tribes stick together.
Also, due to a small incident you may see in the papers, all employees with key privileges will be asked to return them for now.
Be smart and safe out there, and I look forward to seeing you all on Friday.
Sincerely, with love.
‘Da Boss Lady’ (aka: Mistress Zodiac.)
(to be concluded)
Re: Zodiac's Grimoire and Diary
Posted: 04 Apr 2020, 12:11
by Zodiac
3/28/2020 12:36 AM
“You okay, boss?”
She looked up at the sound of his voice. A spot within her still found the image of the pair of them together funny. Chain, over 6 feet tall, broad as a barn and built like he could win a battle royal in record time, and her, just over five feet and probably would fit inside his backpack.
And he called her ‘boss’.
”I’m getting there,’ she sighed. She was getting the few forms that were not picked up in person ready for mailing. It had been a calm day. Her people showing in what her Nanna would call ‘dribs and drabs’. Some laughs, a few tears. Her resisting the urge to hug the ones that were most upset by current events. Just because Corona did not (so far) effect her did not mean she couldn't actually pass it on was her view. She might have been wrong, but better safe that attending a funeral.
Chain took the chair on the opposite side of her desk and sat down. “I asked you if you was okay.”
Curious now, she put down the papers she was folding and rested her chin on folded hands. ’I thought I answered that question, dear.’
“No, you didn’t. This is me you are talking to now. We have known each other for far too long. Been through too many things. Hell, technically you were one of my two ‘moms’ after I was turned.”
That made her smile a bit. What a strange pair Dulce and her made trying to bring this man mountain to heel long enough to be taught how to survive as a vampire. It was downright comedy sometimes, but they had to have done something right because he was still here.
“I didn’t say much at the warehouse, but I saw you. All smooth as ice on the outside, but if the cops hadn’t been there you would have gutted those two and been wearing their guts as garters. I have seen you angry before, but that was a new level of pissed for you. What has changed in you.”
’They betrayed the tribe,’ she replied, as if that explained everything.
“Tribe? What tribe?” Chain had never heard her use that term before except in the few times she mentioned her life before fangs.
Zodiac sat back in her chair as she debated how to explain it. ’Nothing has changed in me. I just haven’t been pushed to this level of pissed, as you put it, in a very long time.’
‘A tribe,’ she continued. ’Is like a family, and the last thing you do to your family is stab them in the back-especially if said family has been good to you. This. All of you. Is what replaced that aspect of my life.’
“You see us all as some kind of family?”
’In a way, yes. I do. In the beginning it was just Jenn and me. Over time others joined in and we expanded into new things. Why have you stayed with me for so long? Is it the pay? You have some compulsion to keep me safe? Or is it because we take care of each other? That’s not part of any job description I ever read.’ She looked at the man with one of her ‘Well, I’m waiting’ looks.
Chain considered it for a moment. It was a fair question. With his military skills he could have written his own ticket with some of the larger companies in the town. It would have been a lifestyle he was more familiar and comfortable with. Going from place to place. No solid ties to any, yet here he was overseeing a security operation for 4 shops and a warehouse still. Why?
“I see your point,” he admitted.
’And I have treated everyone who has worked here the same way I treated you. It was never just a paycheck. It was taking an interest in people. Helping for them in ways beyond the job, which may make me sound like a mother hen, but in return I got the best out of them when it came to running this company.’
“And in return, 2 of them stabbed you in the back,” Chain nodded. “I get it now. But still, you was ready to kill them both. A bit extreme for you.”
’No it is not. You forget how I grew up. Justice was swift, honest and to the point in my tribe. When there was a ‘trial’, we were all required to gather and bear witness, but there was a few occasions when once a decision was made, the children among us were excused before the decision was announced. Once I was 11, I was allowed to stay and I saw extreme. Repeat offenders or a crime too intense to be solved with simple banishment. We were our own law because we knew the justice system was always biased against us so how could we trust them? I only saw one execution and 2 events where the guilty probably wished they had been killed. Blood for blood. Life for life. Pain for pain.’ The last part she almost recited like a mantra of sorts.
Chain was divided for a second. He knew the woman could rage with the best of them. He had seen her ‘dance’ when she was confronted with creatures and on the rare occasion she had to fight their own kind, but this was different.
’I never feel the desire to kill the living as a sport or because they are a ‘lower’ form of life as some think they are. If they can think, talk to me, explain things, then I judge them the same as I would vampires. If they are kind, I return it a hundred fold. If they mess with me, I will have no mercy.’
“Not quite true. A few vamps have pulled some things on you and never got a visit from you.”
Zodiac sighed and gave the man a small smile. ”You are right. A few have gotten away with things. But the difference may be the fact I wasn’t protecting them as I do the living that work for me. Do you know what an effort it is to keep such a mix as I have here running like a clock?’
Chain nodded. He had broken up a few potential disagreements himself in the past.
’I think Jennifer alone has pissed off every vampire that ever worked with me-including me, but she runs the crews the same way I do. She doesn’t see the fangs. She sees people and treats them all the same. If someone is ******* up, she is on top of it and is not afraid to do what is necessary.’
‘I know that for a fact.” He agreed. Several times he had come down from his security station and watched such debates to be sure it didn’t end in dismemberment. Despite his normal stand offish attitude with most of the employees, he remembered having conversations with the woman on occasion, and not all were pleasent. “She takes no ****. Just like you.”
’But back to the point, it wasn’t about the stupid toilet paper or the valuables. It was the fact after all I have done to advise them, care for them, and help them to succeed and protect them, they felt justified to take advantage of me like that?’ She shook her head. ’No, in this tribe I am the law, and you do not pat people on the head for a crime like that.’
Chain stood up slowly and placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. A rare thing for him to do. “You do what you feel you have to do, but for now– try and relax.” She glanced at the hand then up at him. Her own tiny hand covered his and gave a small squeeze.
’Thanks,’ The giant then excused himself and left her office. She went back to finishing up the envelops.
(FIN)
Chaindog was used with permission of his player.
Re: Zodiac's Grimoire and Diary
Posted: 01 May 2020, 22:47
by Zodiac
Volume 15, Page 107
4/30/2020 11:22 PM
She didn’t want to touch it at first.
There had been a time earlier in the week were most of her kind went into a type of frenzy. They got tired as normal during their hunts and such, but for some reason their energy returned with just a little rest. It was a phenomena she had encountered before, but she could not be sure what caused it. Some rare lunar cycle or conditions in the town itself?
The stars were right?
Regardless, she threw herself willingly into the frenzy. Every kill made her feel stronger and the fiends that lurked in the depths just kept coming. Almost a kid in a candy store effect. She wanted more and whoever created the creatures obliged. When she sensed that whatever was causing this was beginning to wane, she dragged herself and the over flowing tote full of treasures she found back home. The tote sat in a corner for several days as things returned to normal, and only earlier this eve did she begin to go through the contents to see what could sold or thrown away and what bits might be worth keeping. Usually the ‘keepers’ were quite rare in hauls like this, but when she pulled the one sword out to inspect it, she knew it was pure luck in motion.
Just by sight alone, she knew this was not the common junk she normally found. It pulled free from its scabbard with ease and gave off a slight tone. It was far larger than she was normally comfortable with. (Truth be told, the thing was almost as large as she was tall). Yet it sat easy in her hand and barely had any weight to it. She began to dance about as she did when she fought the monsters she found all too often in this place. The sword moved like a needle thin rapier with no drag or hesitations. She did not know what she had done to curry favor from the Goddess, but this was a true blessing given form.
When she stopped, the blade was pointed to the ceiling as both her hands held it fast. Her eyes found her reflection in the computer monitor via the camera and she laughed.
’I look like I am trying out for ‘Game of Thrones’ or something.’
She laid the blade down almost reverently and went back to searching her loot. Several other items suggested they were of a superior nature, but they did not feel as good as the one she had played with. Perhaps she would pass them on to people who knew the art of using parts of them to make something bigger and better. (’Mordie, where the **** are you?’)
Eventually, the keepers were sat aside and the rest tossed back into her pack. As an afterthought, she wrapped the new blade in a cloth to take with her as well.
***
“It won’t be cheap,” the (supposed) ‘Mage’ said to her. He stood there, looking down at her as if he were speaking to a special needs child. In reply she simply opened her wallet and dug past the normal credit cards she carried for work. Hidden in the back was a card most every establishment in town recognized when doing ‘night’ business. The mage took it and inspected it before nodding his satisfaction. He laid the card back in front of her while he gathered up the sword and headed to the back.
“Have a seat. This will take a bit.”
The girl flopped in a chair. Eyes looking around a barren waiting room. ’You’d think they would have magazines or something.’ She pulled her phone from her purse and amused herself with a game. Other people came and went as she sat there, but she paid them no mind.
(to be concluded)
Re: Zodiac's Grimoire and Diary
Posted: 02 May 2020, 10:41
by Zodiac
’Stupid bubbles.’ She frowned as her shot fell short in the game and forced her to consider using one of her few remaining power shots. Just as she made a decision she felt eyes upon her. Looking up, she saw the mage watching her. He gestured for her to follow him into the back where he had taken the blade.
“First time I have seen one of these,” he admitted as she followed him. In the next room the sword lay on a table under a light. Runes and bits of faeshards now gleamed with the metal. She looked up at him as if asking a question. “It won’t break. Try it out.” He pointed to a anvil that sat near the middle of the room.
She would swear the blade felt even lighter now as she picked it up. Slowly she rotated it in her hands to spin and began to dance. The mage took a step back and watched as she began to pick up speed. The blade reaching out from her randomly as she circled the anvil. So she was almost a blur of motion. Suddenly she was airborn. A silent cry on her lips as she brought the blade crashing down on top of the anvil. A loud ringing noise filled her ears as steel met steel and the shock of the strike echoed up her arms. Once she was back on the floor, she began to inspect her new toy. No signs of stress of faults in the blade could be found, and running her thumb along the edge caused her to pull away as her blood flowed freely. The edge was still in place.
“Well?” the mage asked.
Without a word, she pulled the card from her pocket and handed it to him. As he went out to complete the transaction, she slipped the sword back into it’s scabbard and re-wrapped it. A quick stop at the bank and then back to home. The night was young yet and a final test was left to be done.
***
She held her ground as the beast made ready to attack. Normally this particular breed caused her problems when she fought them so what better test could there be. As always, she curtseyed before the thing before she pulled her sword free.
’Shall we dance, madam?’ her thoughts asked a second before she dodged the thing’s first strike. She fought differently than some of her nocturnal brother and sisters. She had seen others of her kind literally stand toe to toe with these things and made the fight look like a pair of children beating each other with hammers until one fell down. Not quite her style. As she saw it, the more times she hit it and the less times it hit her-the better. She kept dodging and spinning about. Seeking openings to lash out and do damage while doing her best to avoid claw and fang. The sword felt perfect in her grip and the extra length was not the hindrance she had feared it would be. It could be said that the natural armor on some of these beasts were just as hard as the anvil in the shop, but there were no weak points on the anvil to exploit like there were on these creatures.
Eventually her determination paid off. The creature let loose a shuddering scream as it collapsed and landed in a pool of its own blood on the ancient brick floor. ’YEAH, BABY!” the girl shouted in her thoughts. She continued to dance around the corpse for a few moments, Poking it to be sure it was indeed dead. It was her first of this particular beast and she giggled.
Finally, she bent down and plucked an item from the remains and dropped it into her carry pack. A towel was used to wipe the sword clean of the beast’s blood. ’Hail to the Queen, baby girl.’ she cackled as she kissed the blade. In the semi darkness around her, she heard soft growls and saw eyes gleaming red or yellow in the faint light.
’Fear not,’ she called out with her thoughts. ’Plenty of spots left on my dance card tonight.’ She smiled as she put a bit of wiggle to her hips as she strode deeper into the darkness.
(FIN)
Re: Zodiac's Grimoire and Diary
Posted: 29 May 2020, 23:02
by Zodiac
Volume 15, Page 131
5/29/2020 9:22 PM
She smiled and waved as her client exited into the darkness. No hugs or any of the usual fanfare that came with a visit to the gypsy girl. No, the government would not tolerate that kind of behavior now. She yanked off her mask and frowned at the stupid dots that now lined the carpet to remind people to keep their distance from each other. Pandora’s Box was open again, but still not back to its full grandeur that made it popular to begin with. Too many rules to follow now. No more than 10 people in the shop? Maintaining distance ? Must do this, must provide that, and so on.
There was a way to run a shop like hers, and this was not it. Acting like the client who came to you for help was a potential walking barrel of toxic waste did not generate feelings of safety, concern, and caring. She hated this, but to act otherwise might reveal what she truly was and that would be something she could never bounce back from.
’Stupid virus,’ The first wave of it was passing and everyone was waiting for the second surge to come. She saw it in her divinations and history would back up her claim. They would all be dealing with ‘Miss Rhona’ (as she liked to call it) for a long time to come.
’Rhona’s running round the world,
Rhona’s in the sky,
Miss Rhona makes you lonely,
Eating chips and fries,’
She sang softly in her thoughts. The legend that ‘Ring around the Rosy’ was a children’s rhyme concerning the Black Plague had inspired her to do her own little sing along song on the subject.
’Rhona makes you loose your job
And there's nothing you can do,
Rhona makes the daily news,
And no one’s sure what’s true’
‘Miss Rhona’s in our neighborhood,
She just wants to play,
Miss Rhona’s in our backyard,
and she won’t go away’
She glanced at the mortal help she had as they prepared to leave for the evening. Already some of the ‘night shift’ had arrived. The living and not living discussing things with layers of cloth hiding their mouths. At least the vampires got with the idea of ‘play human’.
A gentle tap on her shoulder. She turned and saw the night clerk ready to check into the cash register so she stepped aside. They had not done too bad for the day, but this time last year it was almost double (even with the anti vampire paranoia going on) No, it would be awhile before things would build back up again. A surge of determination raced within her. Unlike the major businesses in town that moaned and wailed like old women in the streets about how much profit they had lost, she kept silent. Let them cry like babies, begging the government to let them suck on their teats for survival. She would endure and come back stronger than ever. Her time of anger and sadness had past. Some idiot in the news dared to say ‘We are all in the same boat.’ What utter nonsense. It was more like ‘We are all in the same ocean, but in very different boats.’ The ‘SS Ferenczy’ had survived the opening swells and was charging boldly to pass through the storm. Let the bigger ships beg for life lines like the pussies they were. So scared of spending a dime of their own (unless $10 dollars appeared to take the dime’s place). As they begged they could watch her bob along, riding the waves. Silent, defiant, The Unsinkable Mistress Zodiac. The bigger ‘ships’ had already come to call. So sympathetic at her plight, yet willing to buy her out at pennies to the dollar. Opportunists they were (and if she had more cash to play with, she might have done the same) She smiled in reply and informed them to go play go **** yourselves.
A wave had passed, but between economics, Miss Rhona, and the government’s view of vampires this storm was just getting started.
’Avast,’ she thought.
“Excuse me?”
She blinked. She did not realize she had thought ‘out loud’, and the vampire at the cash register had ‘heard’ her. The girl laughed and gave the woman a hug. ’Time to be pirates, my dear. Make our way through the storms and reach the treasure on the other side.’
“Aye aye, Captain.”
’Cry Havoc!’ Zodiac shouted as she left the others to their work. She continued to sing as she made her way upstairs.
‘Rhona makes you wear a mask
you don't wanna cry
Miss Rhona’s in your bedroom
Miss Rhona makes you die. ‘
original poem by me. I claim all legal rights to it and such.