Just What I Needed

[kaleidodope]

Title: Just What I Needed
Chars: Ivy, Steven, Eric, bill, Erika, Nan Flanagan
Summary: The Kingdom Event is underway.
Fandom/ Moon Knight




The event in the Compton estate was as splashy as it could’ve been. There were vampire dignitaries, sheriffs and monarchs from the neighboring states moving about with their spouses and partners.

Since it was a vampire event Ivy opted to bring Erika with her instead of requesting permission to bring Steven. Had she brought Nate the younger vampires would’ve been all over him.

Erika was no stranger to events like these. Both her parents worked for the government as well as her grandpire. Who smoothly walked across the room and handed Erika and Ivy a pair of flutes with blood tinged champagne in them.

“All eyes on you match stick.” Eric spoke casually.

“Yeah it’s totally my favorite thing.” Ivy smiled through gritted teeth, causing Eric to smile sympathetically.

“It’s not so bad. Just smile. Channel that inner Violet and look directly through people.”

“Your mom really does have an awesome thousand mile stare.” Erika hip bumped her cousin.

“She developed while hanging with us.” Eric gave a wink of reassurance and wandered away to greet other people in attendance.

“Where are your rents by the way?” Ivy looked over her shoulder.

“Moms having a word with King Bill. Dad looks like he’s gossiping with Illinois. Wow.”

“What?”

“That dress. She is such a fashion icon.” Erika fawned. “I’m going to go say hi.” She wandered off just as Nan Flanagan approached her. Ivy knew Nan Flanagan well. As a member of the authority she’d checked in with their families routinely over the years. They were after all an anomaly. While they weren’t friends they were friendly. Which gave Ivy less tension when she approached.

“The woman of the hour.” Nan smirked as she brought her flute to her lips.

“Reluctant woman of the hour.” Ivy laughed.

“Your brother can belt songs to a packed auditorium 5 nights a week but you’d sooner disappear into thin air.” She teased gently.

“He stole all the showmanship in the womb.” Ivy laughed a bit. “Are you a fan?”

“Well it started out with me going to a show to make sure he wasn’t doing anything vampy. Can’t have him going Lestat on stage.”

“Naturally.”

“But then I heard him cover take me out and well, let’s just say I don’t miss a show when they’re touring here.” She winked.

“That’s so cool.”

“Don’t tell him that. Make him think we are always watching.” Nan winked.

“I did catch your interview with bow tie McGee. I did love watching you make him squirm.”

“You know he won’t debate me in public because he’s scared that I’ll “hypnotize” him.” Nan laughed amused.

“Why am I not surprised.” Ivy laughed, feeling the ease returning to her.

“It’s almost time. See you in a bit.”

“Bye Nan.” Ivy offered a gentle wave.

The lights flickered indicating that they should take their seats for the presentation.

It started off with Damon approaching the mic. He lead the presentation like any charismatic MC would. He introduced each of the areas sheriffs. Who came to the podium and talked about their efforts to improve human/vampire relations.

One sheriff had a school supply drive for a school in his area.

Eric discussed hosting supervised vampire AMAs in Fangtasia for humans. Pam hated him for a week after.

Scarlett took the time to brag about Tyler’s supe gym which also provided therapy support for humans who plan to transition. She gave him full credit Ofcourse.

Klaus’s was solely focused on training his eastern vampires on how to behave like southern vampires in the presence of humans as the eastern vampires agreed to maintain coffin status for their species.

Once each area had contributed Damon introduced king Bill who then discussed statewide efforts to help with the recent storm cleanup and supplies as well as the political push for the vampire rights amendment. He annexed the topic by mentioning the domestic attack that Ivy and Steven had attempted to thwart.

“Support for vampire rights has been through the roof since the incident. And that’s because Ivy Rose and her associate risked themselves to do what was hard instead of what was easy. They are a part of this community. And that is the attitude that will get us to the polls. So Ivy Rose please join me here.”

Ivy rose to her feet and stood beside Bill “ On behalf of the city of New Orleans and on behalf of the Kingdom of Louisiana. I am presenting you with the key to the city from the mayor of Louisiana. And also on behalf of the kingdom of Louisiana I would like to present you with the medal of valor.” He lifted the medal from his velvet box and as she hung her head he gently placed it around her neck. The medal was white gold plated with Bills kingdom symbol on the front. Her name and date on the back.

She humbly accepted the gifts and thanked him for them before approaching the mic as she was expected to.

“Thank you so much Your majesty for this honor. And I privately thank the city of New Orleans for this key as well. I’m going to share this with my partner as he can’t be in attendance tonight.

Those of you who know me, know that I am very much a reserved woman. I didn’t seek recognition, but I understand the impact that the moment had. It’s my hope that these domestic terrorists will second guess doing this things again. It’s my wish that the general public stop fearing us and focus on those who truly wish to destroy their way of life. Thank you.” She smiled before making her way to her table where Erika leaned from her chair to hug her.

*

“How was the event?” Steven held the phone up to his ear as he thanked the clerk and gathered the Mylar balloons he’d bought.

“It was nice. Super important vampire people stuff.” She joked. “Can I swing by? I have something to give you.”

“Ofcourse you can! As if you’d ever have to ask!” Steven didn’t hesitate but was now giddy as she’d taken the guess work out of him having to ask her if he could bring the congratulatory balloons he’d given her.

“Awesome. Because I really…really want to see you.” She muttered into the phone then cringed at sounding so needy.

“Do you want me to meet you?” Steven asked.

“Nah. I’m already in the car. I’ll be there soon.”

When she pulled up Steven stood on the sidewalk holding the balloons. She smiled warmly before lifting out the bag she’d brought with her.

“Awe you didn’t have to do that.” She wrapped her arms around him for a tight hug. A moment later she heard Marc’s voice.

“I told him the balloons were a dorky idea.” He rolled his eyes and laughed. Ivy kissed his cheek.

“Leave him alone. I love them.” Ivy demanded while also saying hi to Marc.

“I hoped you would! That one has a mini torch it it!” He grinned. “Come on then. I made you tea.” He escorted her in.

A few moments later they were sitting on his couch as she pulled out the items she’d received that night.

“I got a fancy medal of valor for bravery.” She held it up to him.

“While I agree you’re incredibly brave those blokes were not equally yolked with us.”

“The bravery wasn’t us getting hurt. It was hurting a human in public.” She clarified. “My government could’ve put me in vampire jail or killed me for that.”

“Oh.”

“But because it was in defense of humans they are loving the PR we are getting from it so that was me risking my livelihood to help others and woooooow so brave.” She put it on and modeled it for him.

“Fabulous.” He teased.

“He also gave me this.” She pulled out the symbolic key to the city. “I was recognized in my community. But no one knows who you are. You were out there helping just like I was. This belongs to you as much as it belongs to me.”

He began to protest but she interrupted. “And you can’t say no because I’ll have a tantrum.” She teased.

“Well we can’t have that.” He smiled and leaned against her. “Wow” he sighed as he admired the key. “I would say this calls for celebration. But I can tell you’re all touched out.” He rose to his feet and walked to the linen closet. He returned with a blanket to wrap her in.

“Do you want me to put one of your cake decorating shows on the Telly and have a glass of wine?”

Ivy didn’t realize how much she needed exactly that until he mentioned it.

“Yes please.” She smiled in pure admiration.