TQB Ship Polarus, Mediterranean
Frank looked up from the conference table in the main meeting room on the ship. He could hear steps but it was the large white German Shepherd which came around the corner. Ashur quickly looked around as if he was checking the corners before continuing to walk and sit behind the chair at the head of the table.
A moment later, Eric also stepped in and did the same check. It amused Frank to watch the two ‘Queens Own’, Eric and Ashur protect an individual who was the one who least needed it. Well, here on this ship anyway. Some might argue Frank’s opinion on lumping Ashur into the Queen’s Own, but everyone who truly watched the dog came around to his way of thinking.
If Bethany Anne was aware of how Ashur treated her, she didn’t show it. She came in with the new vampire behind her. Frank stood as Bethany Anne came over to him with open arms. He took her hug and smiled at the young woman. “Beautiful as always, Bethany Anne.”
She winked to him. “I imagine you are testing your smooth talking on me in anticipation of a future conquest, Frank.” She turned to the man he didn’t know, “Frank, meet Barnabas.”
Frank held out his hand, “Glad to meet you, I’ve been curious about you for decades.”
Barnabas grabbed his hand in a handshake, but when Frank admitted he had been curious about him for decades he looked puzzled. Barnabas glanced to Bethany Anne quickly and she just smiled back at him.
Barnabas kept Frank’s hand and measured his genial smile. He stepped a little closer to Frank and covertly sniffed the air. He stepped back and dropped Frank’s hand. “You don’t smell like a vampire or a Wechselbalg. Yet, you really mean that you have been interested in me for decades?”
Frank nodded in agreement. His eyes alight. “Yes, for at least six.”