Ambrose Diaz

[  laith ashley  &  he/him &  trans man  ]  :  my  oh  my,  is  that  ambrose diaz  in  bon  temps  ?  what  the  hell  are  they  up  to  hanging  around  the public library  listening  to  underneath the stars  by  mariah carey  when  they  should  be  doing  whatever  a  pharmacy tech  does  ?  between  you  and  i,  the  26  year  old  halfling  is  avoided  for  acting stubborn,  but  whenever  they  let  their  compassionate  side  shine  through  people  flock  to  them.  i  guess  they’re  in  town  because  job relocation.  explains  some  of  it,  though  i  can’t  help  but  wonder  if  there’s  more  to  a  bookworm | gem in the rough story.   

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The vampire simply stares, a smile still lingering on his lips as if to derail any mistrust, but he seemed unable to move just then. As if in a trance, stuck in place by the sweet aroma of the handsome stranger. Many questions came to mind, but only one statement made any sense: Russell needed a taste. However, words being spoken snapped the vampire back to reality. Looking around as if disoriented, the vampire shook his head with a furrowed brow. “I apologize.” Hurrying off to stand directly across from the young man on the opposite side of the counter, the vampire offered an apologetic smile.

It surprised the vampire that he actually knew Otto’s birthday… In fact, the interraction he was having just then was making him realize that he’d known Otto for quite some time. For some reason, it made him smile. “October 6th, 1978,” he answered. “I am. He’s my employee,” Russell admitted without much thought—between the insatiable thirst and the hypnotizing scent, it was all he could do not to lose his shit. He had not been two mere centuries from having his 3,000 years to lose control in the hole in the road, Louisiana. It did pleased him to hear Otto had been in a hurry to get back to work, and the vampire made a mental note to give him a raise and bonus when they returned to Mississippi. “Stubborn fool. Don’t let him leave if he passes by again. He needs to learn to take proper care of himself.” 

Russell did pause at the question posed. “Maybe,” the vampire proposed. “I’ve been to Merlotte’s a few times.” Not a lie, but then again, he wasn’t exactly a regular. He just happened to go a few consecutive nights in a short period of time. “I’m not really a local… yet,” he jested. “You from around here?” 

“Seems like he has a really nice boss to come get his medicine for him. Must be a really closely-knit work family.” Ambrose was reassured, but he wasn’t exactly clear. He still had uncertainty by way of the silence. He peeks up at him to take more of his facial features into consideration, and back to typing he goes. He tugs the blue canvas top down, making sure he was still in proper uniform guidelines. Last thing he needed was William coming to tell him about his job title and duties that he’d been doing for quite some time. His birthday is typed in. “Give me one moment. I need to grab his bag. While I do that, there are a few pieces of information you need to agree or disagree with. It’s going to display on the card reader’s screen. Since you aren’t on his approved list, you have to read over the Terms and Conditions and press either green or red. Green is to agree. Red is to decline.” Ambrose leaves the computer for a moment to fish from the line of bags hanging on the rack behind him.  It had to be the bottom. 

“It would be nice if they actually followed alphabetical order instead of all these other criteria.” He bends first to see the names and ends up squatting. He slowly shifts from side to side, picking out each bag and reading the labels. Since his was urgent, it needed to be on the top rack. “The hell. Who sorts by first name?” He groans. “Alright. Soon as your done with those panels, it’ll let me finish checking Mr. Otto out of the system.” He returns to the computer.  “I’m...not.” Ambrose blinks, looking up at him. “I’m actually from another little town. I lived in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale most of my youth.” He squints. “I could’ve sworn, but maybe not. Maybe I’m confusing you from the many faces I’ve seen. But the voice is what is throwing me off.” He sighs, shrugging. “I’ll get out of your hair. Just finish accepting. I do want to inform you it’s a twenty dollar copay with Mr. Otto’s insurance.” 

The Sun had just set when Russell announced to his guards that he’d be going on a ride around town atop his precious steed, Sargento. As his men scattered, he changed into his riding clothes before finally making it to the saddle. The thirst was all-consuming, and Russell even swore he felt his stomach growl a few times—which was technically impossible, but he’d heard some people had been hallucinating after the fundraiser Mrs. Lockwood had put on.

On his way to try to meet with the mayor, however, a faintly familiar scent caught his attention. For some reason, Russell’s memory betrayed him. Either he was hallucinating or his hunger was getting to him because the scent was the most amazing thing Russell had ever encountered. A scent straight out of a daydream or fantasy… 

Before Russell knew it, he had hopped off his horse and was walking into a drug store. For a moment, the vampire stood silently, watching the god-like creature behind the counter while he played with the pills. Whatever he was, he made the vampire’s mouth water. Walking around the counter, he watched the other turn and even saw it coming from a mile away that he’d be startled. Once it came to be, Russell offered an amused but friendly smile. “I apologize,” he said sheepishly. “I was picking up some medications under the name of Otto Guidry.” His human guard would probably have a heart attack when the vampire king returned home with his medication, but whatever the stranger was: Russell was willing to sacrifice more than one measly human. 

Ambrose kept his hand above his chest. The hell was up with him and why was he in his space. Behind this counter. He backs off, slowly. Obviously, Ambrose was still a little uneasy with the man’s presence. For once, there was an absence of gaze that matched the stillness of thoughts. Well. His own thoughts were circulating but nothing was seeping into the cycle. He studied the man. What a weird one. Maybe he’s drunk. He rubs his shoulder before gesturing to the other side of the counter. “Customers and patrons are not allowed back here. It is against the law.” Ambrose steps over to his register, scanning his finger to bring up the Pharmacy’s database. 

“Guidry?” He began to type in his username, but left the password completely void. The quiet still bugged him, but he kept his composure. Seemed like he was a genuinely kind guy. “Alright. I need the birthdate.” He smirked. “You must be here on his behalf. I hope Mr. Otto is feeling okay. He seemed to be in quite a rush the last time.” Ambrose signs in. “You look familiar. Maybe I’ve seen you at Merlotte’s.” 

Sookie Was running around “Like a chicken with it’s head cut off” as her Gran would say. “If Sam doesn’t hire some more staff, and soon, I’m gonna need a raise” She muttered to Arlene as she swept by. She was already supposed to be off, but the dinner rush had failed to stop….rushing.

Untying the apron around her waist, she brushed a stray lock of hair from her eyes, sighing long and hard. “I need a drink” She thought to herself, sneaking behind the bar to pour a little something for herself. To her surprise, there was someone sitting there. “Oh! Don’t mind me, just need somethin’ to unwind.” She smiled at the stranger. 

“Never seen him before, he must be new. I woulda’ noticed someone as handsome as he is by now if he’s been around a while.” She thought to herself as she poured.

Bon Temps wasn’t exactly Miami or St. Charles. It was much closer in terms of the familiarity of the community. With that thought in mind, he waves to the senior couple that were tucked into their booth looking over the parking lot. Merlotte’s. It is almost like a comfortable reunion. If you wanted to dance? That was your choice. He ducks over to the bar. “Just one.” The waitress nods and takes off, sliding the menu. 

“Ah, I know the feeling.” He smiles. He thinks nothing of it. In fact, he immediately tunes into the thoughts that seemed to swim through the air. It was like drifting into mindless television. It was just the comfort of background noise that calmed his own thoughts. A light stroke of along the nape of his neck seemed to tug his attention from the many voices to this lone one. Key phrases: ‘never seen’, ‘new’, and ‘handsome’. He looks around. 

“Handsome? Where?” He thinks to himself as he plays off the wandering of his eyes to pretend he was looking for something. He looks down at the menu, observing the woman from his visual cone outside his direct focus. “She’s drinking a lot for just unwinding.”