Elysium Jackson

This is part of a series! You can find the first part here

Monetization is okay, and so is putting it behind a paywall. Just credit me and give me some way to listen to it, please! I am not looking for money myself, I just write scripts to practice my writing.

Summary: You and your vampiric partner walk through the city as twilight falls, preparing for a dangerous mission. While your vampire is consumed with confronting their sire, you carry a deeper personal burden—the search for your missing sister. You agreed to help them in exchange for information, but their cold demeanor and focus on their own problems create tension between you.

Settings: Starts in the speaker's house at nighttime, then it switches to the street when the two start walking toward the third location. The third location is a bar.

Word Count: 1,607

Estimated Length: ~8-9 minutes

A couple of quick notes: Nicolette Leroux is French, so her name would be pronounced as LeRoo, and all of her lines are optional, I wrote this so that if you can’t/don’t want to find someone else to voice her (or don’t want to do it yourself) you don’t have to. Heck, you could even gender-swap her if that strikes your fancy. I don’t mind either way. Once Nicolette’s lines start, I will specify with “S” for the speaker and N for Nicolette. Sorry if this is confusing! If you have questions, let me know!

(Talking as if in the middle of a conversation) Hunter, you can’t add more conditions to our deal. Besides, what kind of information do you even need from my sire?

You want to find where your sister is? Why would my sire even know?

She’s with a vampire? As in dating a vampire, or kidnapped?

You don’t know? She just disappeared?

(Sigh, sounding annoyed) Can you stop pleading? We can ask if we find my sire, but I think that’s going to be almost impossible. Everyone I’ve asked has told me that he hasn’t been seen in years.

Yes, except for me, obviously. Quite a few of the older vampires I’ve talked to were skeptical when I described who attacked me. I swear one of them almost fainted, though. I have a feeling that my sire is a dangerous man.

(Frustrated) No, I haven’t been able to get his name. The most I’ve been able to get is a nickname. I guess they call him Nox. It’s like a Voldemort situation or something. I don’t know.

I talked to a vampire two days ago who told me to look for a woman named Nicolette Leroux. He said she owns a bar downtown called Blood Infusion. 

(Laughs drily) I agree, the name is a little too on the nose.

So, how do we find her? I don’t know. I was just told, “you’ll know her when you see her.”

[Clothes rustle and metal clinks when the listener stands up, then footsteps as they walk toward the speaker’s front door.]

Ready to leave already? We have time for you to rest if you need it. You still look like shit.

Ok, Hunter, but don’t blame me if you pass out and I have to save you. I warned you.

[Door opens, footsteps as they both exit the house, the door closes, keys jingle as the speaker locks their front door.]

No, we’re not taking my car. The bar is close enough to walk to. I don’t want anyone we don’t trust to know what my car looks like.

Oh, yeah, your car is probably still at the school. You passed out, why would I bother finding your car, putting you in it, finding your keys, driving your car here, and then taking the bus back to the school to find my car? 

I’ll take you to go get it when we’re done with what we have to do tonight. 

[Footsteps as the two start walking to the bar, occasionally a car passes by. The listener’s backpack also clinks every so often while they walk.]

(After walking in silence for a couple of seconds, Annoyed) Hunter, do you need that stupid backpack? It’s so loud.

Just ditch it behind that bush, we can grab it on the way back.

[Zipper opens and the listener digs around in it for a second before rezipping it and stowing it behind the bush.]

Thank you.

[Footsteps resume and then slowly fade out as the scene changes. Fading in: Pop music playing and the sound of talking and laughing and cups being moved around.] 

(Talking over the hum of the bar) I know he said “you’ll know her when you see her” but I have no clue who we’re supposed to be looking for. She could be literally anywhere in here. It’s packed.

You think we should ask the bartender? Ok, but I’m doing the talking. You’re the only human in here and I don’t need you drawing attention to us by acting stupid.

[Footsteps as they walk up to the bar, both stop short.]

So, the bartender *is* Nicolette LeRoux. (Sarcastically) Perfect. How the hell do we get her to talk to us?

[Footsteps as the speaker walks up to the bar and the listener follows.]

N: What can I get you? A pint of beer? A glass of blood?

S: Oh, uh, neither. We’re actually here for information, Madam Leroux. I was told you might know where my sire is.

N: Follow me.

[Footsteps as all three walk into the kitchen and into the walk-in cooler.]

S: You have information for me, don’t you? 

N: Yes, but you’re not going to like it.

S: What do you mean? Why wouldn’t I like it? I’m so close to finding my sire.

N: About that, you’re actually much further away.

S: How am I further away? I was told he’d be in this city. I was told he’d be in Baltimore so here I am.

N: It’s not that simple, he moves around a lot.

S: (Snaps) And you couldn’t have mentioned that before I wasted days in this goddamn city chasing ghosts?

N: I told you, it’s not easy tracking someone like him! You knew that from the start. He’s not just any vampire.

S: (Pacing, sounding irritated) Yeah, well, I’m getting real tired of chasing rumors of him from city to city. How far is he this time? Tell me he didn’t run off to the other side of the country.

N: (Quietly) Actually… he’s in Texas now. More specifically, he’s in Austin.

S: (Stunned silence for a beat, then incredulous) Austin? What the hell is he doing in Texas? That’s halfway across the country! He’s supposed to be laying low, not vacationing in the South.

N: (Defensive) I don’t think he’s there by choice. Word is, something went down in Baltimore, and he had to bolt. Some bad blood—pardon the pun—caught up with him. Austin’s just a pit stop. He’s not staying long.

S: (Sighs heavily) Great. So, what, I’m supposed to drop everything and go halfway across the country on your maybe? He probably won’t even be there when I get there. He’ll be in Hawaii or Alaska by that point.

N: It’s not a maybe. It’s solid intel. I wouldn’t have my associates lead you to me if it wasn’t. He’s hiding out in a safe house outside the city. But I don’t know how much longer he’ll be there.

S: (Frustrated) And what’s your definition of ‘solid’ now? Because last time your “associates” said that, I walked into a warehouse full of traps with no damn sign of him. You won’t even tell me his name!

N: (She sounds hurt) That wasn’t my fault! He’s got spies everywhere, and he’s paranoid. Always covering his tracks. You think I want to be wrong? You think I like telling you this?

S: (Cold) I think you’re playing both sides, and I’m starting to wonder which one you’re really on. You’re just as old as he is, in fact, you’re older. Why are you scared of him?

N: (Sighs, exasperated) Look, Ethan, you don’t have to trust me, but you know I’m your best shot at finding him. Nobody else is willing to dig this deep for you. No one else would risk what I’m risking.

S: I know. That’s why I’m still standing in this room instead of walking out of here. I am fully aware that he’s dangerous, so stop beating around the bush. I’m not asking for your advice. I’m asking where he is. Tell me everything you know.

N: (Brief silence, then resigned) He’s been lying low at this place on the outskirts of Austin. Some big old house. It’s run-down, looks abandoned. He’s got a couple of other vampires with him—loyal ones, the kind who won’t think twice about tearing you apart if you get too close. He’s expecting trouble, so don’t think you can just walk in.

S: I’m not an idiot. My sire is smart, I know he knows that I’m coming for him. What else?

N: Rumor has it he’s got some kind of deal going with a local coven. Witches, powerful ones. If you show up there, they’ll know. They’ll be watching. You’re going to need help.

S: (Defiant) I don’t need help. I need answers. And I’m tired of people telling me to wait. This ends with me and him.

N: (Earnestly) I get that, I really do. But if you go in guns blazing, you’ll end up dead. You can’t be reckless.

S: (Snarls) Reckless? You think I’ve been careful this whole time? I’ve been hunting him for weeks, and every time I get close, something pushes me back. I’m done waiting. I’m done with all the excuses. Just tell me where.

N: (Long pause, then quietly) Alright. There’s a road just outside the city, Route 71. Follow it west until you hit the hills. The house is hidden there. You’ll know it when you see it.”

S: Route 71. Got it. And if he’s not there?

N: He’s there. But be careful. If you go in half-cocked, he’ll destroy you.

S: (Flatly) He can try. I’m not letting him slip away again.

N: Good luck. Don’t get yourselves killed. And don’t bring a human into my bar again. (Pause, and then a laugh) Yes, little hunter, I can smell the human all over you.

[Fades from inside the cooler to the street. Footsteps fade in as the two walk back to the speaker’s house.]

(Muttering to himself) Stupid old bat. She can’t even tell me his name. What kind of informant can’t tell me my sire’s name?

(Annoyed) What, Hunter?

(Bitterly) Yeah, I realize we forgot to ask about Claire. You know where vampires tend to go, why can’t you just ask them?

(Softly) You’ve already tried?

(Hurriedly) Woah, woah, woah. Hunter, are you crying?

(Kindly) Come here. 

[Clothes rustle as the speaker pulls the listener into a hug.]

Let’s go to Austin together, maybe we can ask vampires along the way if they’ve seen Claire.

Summary: You are a vampire hunter in training. You were out of town for a lab in your chemistry class due to a hunting assignment, so your professor paired you up with the only other student who was absent that day. You had to complete the lab outside of class so you and your lab partner are the only two in the lab. You’ve only ever met this person a few times but something about them has made you suspicious. You think there’s something off about them but brush it aside. Little did you know how bad of an idea that was…

Settings: College chemistry lab in the beginning. SFX could include the sound of bubbling liquid, pencil on paper, things being mixed in glassware, or anything else you think might fit. The second setting is in a house, so there are not very many ambient sounds. Maybe the occasional car passing by. But ultimately that’s up to you.

Word Count: 1202

Estimated Length: ~7-8 minutes

[Door opens, footsteps approach the listener. A quiet thud as the speaker sets a bag down on the floor.]

(Rushed) Hey, sorry I’m late. I didn’t miss much, did I?

You just started? That’s good. What do you need me to do?

(Dismissively) I’m always pale. I don’t ever go outside.

(Slightly annoyed) I’m fine, I’ve just had a rough week. Can we just do this stupid lab?

(Long pause)

(Sniffs) You smell really good, are you wearing perfume?

No? (Mumbles) That’s fucking weird…

[Fingers tapping on the table]

Anxious? No, I’m not anxious. Why do you think I am?

‘Cause I’m tapping on the table? It’s just something I do. 

(Annoyed) Can you be quiet so we can get this lab done? The sooner we finish, the sooner I don’t have to hear your fake concern.

(Scoffs) Yeah, you should be sorry. Hand me the copper sulfate. You haven’t dissolved it yet. That’s the first step. Did you even read the instructions?

Sure you did. I can tell by the way you’ve done everything but the first step so far. By the way, did you know that you needed to turn the Bunsen burner on? ‘Cause you didn’t fucking turn it on. I thought you were supposed to be good at chemistry.

Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know I was being mean. I just figured that we’d have been almost done by now.

Well, you started fifteen minutes before I got here. Were you just waiting for me or something?

[Glass shatters as the listener drops an empty beaker]

(Laughs) Good job, dipshit.

[Rustling]

Are you going to pick that up with your bare hands? Are you cra-?

(Annoyed) Great. Go get a Band-Aid, idiot.

[Footsteps as the listener walks. Then a second, faster set as the speaker runs after them. Then a thud as the speaker tackles the listener to the ground. The listener’s heartbeat gets loud and fast.]

(Strained) Stay. Still.

Don’t make me cover your mouth. I have you fucking pinned. You’re not going anywhere.

(A little crazed) I know why you smell so good now. And with all that cortisol and adrenaline in your blood right now, I just know that you are going to taste (Drawn out) so damn good.

(Voice close to the listener’s ear) I’ll only take a little. So be a good snack and stay still.

[Feeding sounds. After a few seconds, the listener’s heartbeat starts slowing and all sounds are increasingly muffled until there is silence.]

[A few seconds pause as the setting changes.]

[Rustling. Then a thud as the listener tries to stand after getting off a bed.]

[Drily] Careful, Hunter. You lost a lot of blood. Standing up probably isn’t the best idea right now. You’re going to make a fool of yourself.

And whose fault is the blood loss? Mine? (Scoffs) If you hadn’t insisted on picking up broken glass with your bare hands, I wouldn’t have lost control. This is your fault, hunter, not mine.

Now you ask where you are? (Sarcastic) Good job! That brain of yours is actually working now, isn’t it? (Normally) You’re in my house. I don’t know where you live so I brought you here after I realized what I’d done. 

Why’d I do it? I’m a vampire in case you haven’t put that together. We drink blood. Are you shocked? I figured a hunter would be one of the first to figure out what I am.

Yes, I know you’re a hunter.

It was obvious once I looked in your backpack. You have twelve stakes and a bottle of holy water. Oh, and the hunting permit in your wallet was a giveaway as well. Now that I think about it, (Laughs) you’re not even a full hunter. You’re a fucking trainee, aren’t you?

(Bleakly, losing all their usual sarcasm) You figured that out pretty quickly. Yeah, I’m newly turned. I was turned about a month ago. The jackass attacked me in an alley and left me for dead. Only, I didn’t die like he thought I would. I woke up from the most excruciatingly painful moment in my life and could only think about how damn hungry I was. Once my head cleared, I was standing over a body with blood dripping from my mouth. I vowed then to never feed again. You saw how well that turned out.

Yeah, well as it turns out, starvation is utter hell for a vampire. We just feel emptier and emptier until we snap.

Yes, like I did with you. If you hadn’t cut yourself on the beaker, I probably would have jumped you the second your back was turned anyway. I’m sorry that I did that. I had no control over it. I was so hungry I couldn’t think straight and you were just right there.

[Footsteps as the speaker approaches] Will you let me help you back up onto the bed? Or are you comfortable down there on the floor? 

[Rustling]

There. Better? Good. I need your help with something.

What do you mean by “Fuck no”?

‘Cause I attacked you? (Annoyed) On accident, Hunter. I’m not going to do it again. I swear. (Normal) I need your help finding my sire. I’m sure you have access to records and connections all over this godforsaken city. 

I know you’re just an apprentice, but you have to be able to access records without your teachers breathing down your neck 24/7.

(Desperate) Come on, Hunter. Please. I’ve been trying to track them down, but I’m not making much progress on my own. They’re the key to understanding what’s happening to me and possibly finding a way to control this hunger without having to keep drinking blood. Maybe we can find a cure.

I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need your skills. I can offer you resources and information that could be useful for your training. It’s a mutual benefit.

You don’t have to say yes, but it would be a great help if you did. 

(Bluntly) If you don’t want to, then you’re free to go. I’m not going to keep you here against your will. But if you’re interested in helping, I can provide you with everything I know and keep you safe-ish while we search.

Yeah, “safe-ish”. From other vampires, or werewolves, or witches, all of that supernatural type shit. This isn’t going to be a completely safe gig. I can’t promise that you won’t get hurt, but I won’t let anything kill you either.

Yes, I promise. On my fucking life, Hunter. Or unlife. Or whatever. Will you just please help me?

(Shocked) Really? You’ll actually help me?

(Playful) But I have to stop calling you “Hunter”? Why not? It’s what you are.

“Hunter in training” takes too long to say. 

I’m not calling you H.I.T.

No. Absolutely not.

I saw that yawn. Let me get you some juice or something with lots of sugar and then your ass is going back to bed. 

Yes here. Where else? You’re not in any condition to go anywhere. Your eyes are still hella glazed over.

Whatever, Hunter. Stay in the bed.

So, give it a listen if you haven't. (If you want ofc, who am i to force you? But the lyrics would make more sense if you listened to the song.)

I do realize that the song is a play on Romeo and Juliet, but I could argue that The Bastard Warrior is a sort of Romeo and Juliet-esque tale. Now for the breakdown of the lyrics.

This set of lyrics are from the beginning of the song, and it sort of reminds me of how Albus always tells Faithful that she's too good for him and to find someone else, even if he did love her.

This, I feel, isn't quite so on-the-nose as Faithful and Albus aren't ever actually in a relationship, but Albus feels like he's constantly never good enough for Faithful. Therefore, he would feel like he's constantly fucking up.

This one actually does feel very on-the-nose. I feel like this whole post revolves around Albus feeling inadequate. His whole life has revolved around feeling inadequate, though. Albus thinks that he's going to hurt Faithful, especially during the last episode when he's a demon and possed by the 10,000 souls.

Albus hated that he loved Faithful because he figured she would never love him in return. He continued to help her knowing that he would die. His part in the play (so to speak) was to die. (He was also suicidal so that is another reason that he was ok with dying.

After this verse, the chorus repeats but this time it's slower, so it's acting more like the bridge:

This repetition makes me think of what could have been running through his head when Faithful used the key to appear in his mind in the last episode. He kept warning her away from him, but she stayed.