Avenging Angel

Episode Slant

By Illinois Jules

Jumping into Ms. Stone's last [Present Day] comment to detective Knight. Right before the first Flash Back:

Ms. Stone: [referring to the assaulted woman] "Guess you're used to this?" (Our Nicky-boy can, and will, apply the following to a more personal level! ) "You must see this all the time... Abuse -- Domestic violence..." (Ahhh, yes. - Such is the *norm*, being LaCroix' favorite!?!?)

NK: "You never get used to it."

Fade to flashback:

[Nick and LaCroix sharing some time in 1850 San Francisco, Chinatown]

A converted warehouse has a rooster fight about to begin. The packed room is full of the ruck of mortals, Asian and white alike, all eagerly wagering and awaiting for the spectacle to begin!

Pan to: Our guys, standing within the crowd. (And *So* cute together!)

LaCroix relates to his less than enthusiastic companion, Nick, that this is all sport.

LC: "Better to die properly in the pit, than at the hands of the butcher." (Uncle foretells the future??!! WOW, KEWL!!! Hmmm....? But it *does* sound more like: {Be nice to Nat now, Jules! ;-[)!!})

As the two vampires' conversation lags...

First LC [eyes diverted], then his protege - notice 'another' type of spectacle, beyond the avid throng. A [Chinese] man is seen harshly berating a [Chinese] woman. With raised voice, he proceeds to slap and then backhand her. At that, the *ever* chivalrous de Brabant lurches to his left, in an attempt to rush over to the couple and assist the distraught girl.

Unfortunately for Nick, his master grabs [with his right hand] him abruptly by the upper arm. LaCroix thus halts his blond ward suddenly, 'tho temporarily. (As if LC would *really* stop his darling boy from blindly exploring life's wicked ways??!! )

LC: [comment delivered evenly - no pauses. not even looking at his counterpart] "She's his concubine Nicholas his property we have no right to interfere." [stated as though all this is perfectly normal and understandable to him] (...Which of course it is!! Just imagine how VampMaster "L" would deal with *anyone* stepping in and trying to show or tell Himself how he should 'handle' Blond Hormone!!?????? --YIKES! Wouldn't want to be THAT idiot a moment later!)

Fin - Pt. 1

Still in flashback, picking up the moment after LaCroix' last cutting remark:

Regardless of his master's 'unencouraging' words, an appalled and determined Nicholas bolts off towards the pair.

(Brief line sung to "Jim Dandy": Nick Boy to the rescue....! ;-[)!!)

(Hmmm... Actually... Ever notice how *every* time NK gets a hint of a situation similar to his "R" {Relationship} with You-Know-Buzz-Head-Who, he's gotta go to *any* extremes to try and 'fix' it?? At least he's consistent in his passions... Kinda like dad, huh??!!! If they only realized how much the same they really are!!! )

A slight pause, then LaCroix suddenly jolts his gaze to his left and glares, watching as his whelp vanishes into the crowd. (! But Daddy *loves* this! Even if he doesn't show it!!)

Shot:

The Chinese couple. [view from behind the woman, male facing her] She still on her knees. Her 'keeper' continues with his face slapping and verbal berating.

Nick (With a nifty brass "L" hook-topped walking cane in hand!) hastily approaches the Asian male from behind. [LC is seen sauntering up in the background, just off Nick's right]

When our impassioned blond hero reaches the pair he cuts in to halt the beating. He stops the next assult with a quick flick of his upraised cane- clutching hand to catch the others arm before it strikes down again. After uttering in fury a few words in the man's native tongue, and the other a word or two back at the interfering 'round eye', the cavalier knight proceeds to backhand the mortal hard enough to fling him onto the floor some distance away.

NK: [crouched down, grasping the human by the back of the neck. Nick hisses out to the astonished figure] "I will let you go... If you leave directly. [close-up shot of an approaching, bemused looking LaCroix] [Nick, still in the Chinese man's face, motions in the direction of the woman] Leave her alone! Touch her again, and I will kill you!"

LC: [observing all this play out. a wee quirk of a smile on his face. droll] "Believe me, he means what he says."

(LaCroix, LaCroix, LaCroix!!! Those looks you get {YUM!! }, as you watch your *favorite* stumble through the often unfairness of mortality!! No wonder you have stuck around for so long!?! You almost have a look of sad resignation for you son's practically pointless quests, but yet you don't, do you??!! He continues to amuse and excite you, eh Walking Orgasm??!! )

Without wasting any more effort to even glance at him, Nicholas wrenches the China man up and away from him in disgust. The Asian quickly moves off. He pauses a moment, looks to where his woman is now being consoled my the brash westerner, then scuttles off into the masses.

Shot: In the foreground LaCroix silently and unseen by all but us, offers a small smirk.

Fin - Pt. 2

(I didn't dwell on it in part two... But... So is Daddy Vamp practically gleaming there 'cuz he knows his Nickness is on his way to screw up again? Or --- NO! I doubt it!! I think Mister Master is almost grinning because he's damn proud his naif is showing himself once more as being so strongly convicted in his purpose!! {Albeit annoying and seemingly misguided to him at times, *many* times! })

Nicholas has fervently dropped down to cup the side of the disraught woman's face in his left hand. He endeavors to force her to look into his eyes. The Asian female tries to wriggle from his hold.

NK: [with profound assurance] (He *thinks*! But we love him because he keeps trying!!) "You may come with me, if you have no where else to go." [a small smile, given with all the heart and passion he possesses. Nicholas truly feels he has freed her]

Mai-Loong: "No." [just the 'thought' of the suggestion seems to pain her even]

NK: "Come with me."

M-L: [shaking head vehemently, then struggling against Nick's clasp. almost whispered 'tho very intent] "No!"

Our stalwart blond grasps the confused, scared, and very frightened young woman's face with both hands now... She grabs hold of his wrists in return.

NK: (*Whammy* alert effort! AS IF, HA!!) "Come with me... And I will see to your safety."

The Oriental lass pauses under the intense gaze and freezes at the softly woven words ... Then she suddenly breaks free of the attempted hypnosis and utters again:

M-L: "No. I must go to my master. [shaking from this strange ones fingers] He will punish me if I'm not prompt." [she scurries off]

De Brabant remains on the dusty floor a moment. A look of dejection and loss haunts his expression and posture. (Poor Nicky. He just *doesn't* get it yet!?... Yet he SHOULD, he's had *so* much experience!!! ;-[)!!)

Still lost in thought, abruptly Nicholas pushes up on his cane to quickly stand. Tall Pallid One is waiting patiently as his favorite rises and turns.

LC: [no look at his son] (Heartless bastard! ) "Your powers of suggestion need honing and your gallantry is misplaced..." [coming back to himself, the other hastily shifts and shoots an acid eye to his companion, acknowledging his maker's cutting approach at yet *more* 'words of wisdom'] () Laxidasially LaCroix finally offers a gander to his wayward charge, "...She has nothing without him," (Read: ) "and she knows it." (Read: Damn good thing he adores you Nickeroo!)

(Ooooh! Those words cut our tender boy deep! How similar his *own* lot, eh??!)

Nicholas swivels sharply away from LaCroix and his 'advice', to seem to voice to no one:

NK: [almost stated in bewilderment] "He beats her and yet she runs to him?" (Silly Boy! SO-DO-YOU!! )

LC: "She would have more right of freedom if she were his dog, Nicholas..." (And they are for breakfast remember?? -- But only in the worst of times! Buzz Head is getting bored with Sonny's angsting now...!) "Let it go!" [LaCroix has *definitely* had enough of this 'entertainment'. such the scowling grimace he gives at the last line there! he strides off]

We leave this flash back with a shot of Nicholas now alone in the crowd. A look of misunderstanding and doubt upon his handsome visage. (Thick as a ... What??! )

Fin - Pt. 3

(Damn, but these are FUN! ;-[)!!)

(I would like to take this last moment again let everyone know, if they missed it, that this entire Ep. Slant has been dedicated to SUSAN FIELD. ({{{BUD}}}!

Not only do I wish to offer it to her as a my Birthday Gift (*Told* you I had a 'Special' present for you!!! ), but Susan deserves this honor. She has continued to be probably my greatest fan and supporter, and I adore her for her continued nagging for more!!!! ;-[)!)

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU - SUSAN!! LONG LIVE THE UNNAMED!!!!!!!!

In the midst of interrogation, a comment made by the accused man flicks Nick into a momentary fade-off into flashback land. (Trivial point: The practically instantaneous shot shown *actually* occurs AFTER the upcoming full fb ... Did that make any sense? )

Very Short fb [about one second long]:

Foreground:

While kneeling on the wooden flooring of the makeshift 'arena', a gasping gallant Nicholas is seen gently lifting into his arms what looks to be an unconscious Mai-Loong. Her eyes are closed and she is bleeding slightly from the right side of her mouth, a long gash is visible across her throat.

A look of 'lost' blankets the former knight's face. (Read: "Okay, I have this beaten woman safely in my arms now, yet don't have the *slightest* klew what to do now?!?" But he will... Soon!)

Background:

A pair of lean blackclad legs are seen behind the pair, facing towards them. We are [rightfully] assuming it's LaCroix. (Duh! Like who else *would* it be?! )

Cut back to the precinct.

Fin - Pt. 4

WE WILL NOW RETURN YOU TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED FLASHINGBACKING - IN *PROPER* SEQUENTIAL ORDER! ;-[)

(Still dedicated to Susan Field!)

Nicholas raises as Mai-Loong rushes off. LaCroix is standing near.

(Note: The Continuity Gods must be taking a break at Buck Stars here. The two flashbacks don't quite *fit* right from the 'OUT' of the last one, to the 'Back' of this one. But I shall persevere. )

NK: [to his perpetual companion. empassioned and anxious] "It's not right. Someone should do something."

LC: [dismissing] "You had your chance Nicholas, and you didn't... So put it out of your mind." (Gee, what better way to tweek Nicky into doing so now than to rub a little stinging guilt into his already festering angst ridden wounds?! )

NK: [answering more to himself than his master as he stares off] "Maybe I should help her?" BING! LIGHTBULB!! No comment...)

LC: [enjoying the moment] "Oh ... Don't be such a fool, Nicholas.." [NK glances sharply at his tormentor-mentor]

(Here it comes! ---- The entire reason I just *hadda* Slant this whole damn thing! ;-[)!!)

LaCroix is smirking now.

LC: [continuing] "After all, which is more amusing...? Some tawdry domestic melodrama? Or a pair of prized cocks pecking each other's eyes out?" (YIKES! That's One Focking Line there!! I can't think of any better way to spend an evening than watching or reading OUR favorite Prized Cocks pecking at each other! Or whatever else they might be doing!!!!! )

Ex-knight has begun to stride past his father. He cuts his retreat short to whip around sharply at that last reference. He pins his sight harshly at his companions choice of phrase. (*I* like to think it was Walking Orgasms last remark there that hit a bit too close to home - on *both* fronts!)

LaCroix snaps his head in turn, to catch his protege's gaze as quickly and intensely.

( You *hafta* see the hasty full body glance Blond Hormone gives Daddy just before he makes his last comment here!! And some think I make this shit up?!!? )

NK: [walking away] "I'll catch up with you later." (Oh, I BET he will! )

The pair's little suggestive banter and wordplay-ala-body language is suddenly interrupted by a plaintive feminine cry. Both 'gentleman' hie off towards the wail, hastening around the oblivious spectators to locate a prone Mai-Loong.

As Nicholas delicately cradles the slashed and beaten woman, he ventures to apologize:

NK: [breathily] "I'm sorry I should have......."

His voice trails off as the Asian lass lifts up a bit to look glassily a last moment at her 'attempted' savior. Her head then lolls back. She finally succumbs to the tolls of her molestation.

Brabant (Or whatever his name is during this time? ) gingerly eases the limp form back to the floor. He bows his head in despair.

Still crouched, our now anguished Nicholas turns a heated amber pair of eyes to where he senses the sourse of this needless destuction of fragile mortal fire. Heedless of all of the humans present, he flies away. (I have to interject... I *honestly* feel for our Tow Head Lad here - He MEANS well, really! He DOES!! His fervor just always seems to impede his common sense, vampiric or otherwise!)

And speaking of Our Boys here ... 'Ole Buzz Head is about to be a *particularly* single-minded naughty one himself! ;-[0 YUM!!)

(In his haste to pursue Mai-Loong's owner, Nicholas has unfortunately forgotten his *own* eternal 'Ball and Chain'! )

LaCroix has sidled into the shot, watching the entire sub-drama. With his right thumb twitching furiously (And not one to let a Free Lunch go to waste! ), Bad Boy Lucien furtively takes a cursory inspection of the crowd about. (And looking guiltly as Hell! -- Oh Man!!! You Nunkies' and a few Cousin's out there would just *die* at how CUTE he acts!!! ) He takes one last eye to recheck if anyone of importance sees... Then knee drops swiftly to the deceased woman and with fangs fully bared, lifts her to take a healthy feeding! (OH.... Honey Boy Is Gonna Be SOOOO Pissed!! If he finds out, that is! )

Out.

That was the last of the Good Stuff! But I wanted to add this last bit, to round the Ep. Slant out.

(Toss in a commercil or two, then back to Toronto.)

Present Day:

Detective Knight slowly uncovers the goal of the well-meaning 'tho ill-directed, Laura stone. During, there's really kewl Fred Mollin music playing. With Nick in the Caddy, assuming on his way to stop the said erstwhile Social Worker... The dulcet tongue of the Nightcrawler merges with the haunting score. Knight *seems* in an aimless pondering.

(Okay, now this isn't really of any import to my Ep. Slant but I have a personal fondness for this particular upcoming monologue. You see, more than three years ago, I wrote it out and submitted it to the CERK Archive site, way back in the infancy of my FKcyber life. Before the UF, before my Ep. Slants, Missing Scenes, before I was into *anything* specific. And there is a little note of thanks after that "AA" entry, to me - Illinois Jules - It's still there. I get a shiver whenever I visit there. I've always been proud to have a listing on that page, see... It was one of the very first sites I ever found. Okay, I'm done now! )

Nightcrawler: [Knight listening in, of course] "I hear something familiar on the wind tonight. A lonely woman's cry for justice, from beyond death. And what justice is sweeter, than that exacted by those who have been wronged. What law more perfect than that exercised by an advocate, who moves swiftly and with resolve. Only you who've practiced it know what I'm talking about. A man that studyeth revenge, keeps his own wounds green."

And, as ever, how so appropriate!

In the midst of various shots, driving around, our Beloved Eternal Boy has another moment of previous flashback of Mai-Loong dying in his arms.

To final flashback:

The current interlude ends to meld into a sight of a desperate Chinese man racing through a darkened warehouse. He is unexpectedly halted by an incited being. Nicholas has descented in front of him. We see the quarry is Mai-Loong's master. He pulls up short in terror. The Protector of Humanity grabs hold and yanks the Asian male around. With hand clasped across the flailing mortals forehead, Nicholas mercilessly tears into the tender exposed throat. He holds tight, drawing an equal life, until the struggling man ceases to exist - like the fair maiden he so recently destroyed himself.

Present Day:

We melt back to Knight sitting in his car as it idles at a green lighted intersection. He has a far-off look of ... dare I say ... Understanding?? He *could* have hurried and stopped Laura Stone from shooting and killing the abusive husband. But in a moment of total NON-brickness, I think he finally knew and realized her [like his] vigilante act was the *right* thing to do. (Be DAMNED the angst!! ... And Dad would be *so* proud! )

The poor detective *does* have to grimace a bit when he hears the call over the radio for him to respond, but he doesn't! (Dark Knighties, Delight!! )

FIN

Especially *YOU*, Susan! ;-[)