Page 17 of Foes & Cons
“Yes!” we scream.
“Then welcome our organiser, MC for the weekend, owner of Mirror Events and ultimate nerd . . . Felix Hutson!”
Felix jogs onto the stage and we don’t care that he’s just announced his own self. We scream and clap for him as he stops in front of the mic and unbuttons the jacket on his signature checked suit (a blue one this year, the same colour as his hi-top fade), waving at everyone.
“Are you ready tofallin love with ourVampire Fallsguests?” he asks, which is of course a rhetorical question.
The noise dials up a few notches and my palms are numb from slapping them together, but I’m soaring into such a euphoric state that I feel no pain. You can feel the good vibes bouncing around Conference Hall A, a truly mystical place.
Felix starts with the guests who are further down the alphabet than some. You know, those guys who are on the convention circuit because they’ve been showing up under layers ofprosthetics since the dawn of time. Don’t get me wrong, they have no less right to be here than the A-listers; they are thefoundations on which conventions are built and Felix introduces them with the vigour they very much deserve.
First, we have Clayton Tusk, who smiles widely and blows kisses as he comes on, hislong hair co-ordinated with a pair of grey cowboy boots. He has the record for most characters played in the show, appearing as Kip the Bartender, Eudoff Grost and Krugg the Scavenger.
He’s joined by Sage Howard, owner of the most amazing cheekbones I’ve ever seen in real life, who played Goddess Bydora in season three.
Kawata Hisashi, who played the principal both before and after he was possessed by a Hangorth demon, comes on next.
Dax St. James (Whitlock Abrahams, a sorcerer and one of the vertices of the Whitlock/Juliana/Viggo love triangle) comes on next, his arms open wide making his six-foot frame even bigger. He turns astumbleinto Felix into ahugfor Felix, butRxy and I share a knowing look; he’s already drunk.
Orlando Wilde, who plays Lila Murphy’s best friend, Bud Leroy, comes on next, waving at the audience, then hugs the other guests before he sits down.
Roxy grabs my hand whenAmber Anderson strides on stage next, her legs impossibly long but the only ones that could fill the boots of Juliana the Demon Huntress.
There’s just one chair left up on the stage, and I have plenty in the tank to welcome the final guest. We all do. I throw my arms around Roxy’s waist.
“Thank you for making me stay,” I shout in her ear. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” she says, putting her arm around me.
“Now. . . get ready tofall in love at first bite,” whispers Felix, like he’s sharing a secret. “Would you like to meet our final guest?”
Wild. We arewildwith excitement, and we don’t care whoknows it.
“I said. . .” he says, louder this time.
Nobody can hearhim as we’rescreamingfor our guestand our show and our fandom and our love for it all. I can see his lips moving and l know when someone is saying my favourite actor’s name without me hearing a word. We all know.
Felixopens his arms and steps back as Damon Van Schwartz jogs on, his black shirt the same shade as his hair. He looks out at us with a big, humble smile on his face and puts his hands together in prayer. The screaming and clapping continue, even when he raises his hand for us to stop.
We slowly quieten down, ready to hear his smooth voice. He leans into the mic and lifts a hand to his brow, looking out at the audience. We all straighten up in our seats so he can see us properly. I’m so happy right now I could actually straddle someone and kiss them all over.
“Now, let’s get down tosome important business,” he says, his eyes sparkling in the spotlights. “Is Charlie Chamberlain here?”
CHAPTER EIGHT
WHITLOCK ABRAHAMS
We have history, Juliana. Don’t you think of me? I think of you all the time.
JULIANA THE DEMON HUNTRESS
I don’t let myself.
Vampire Falls. Season two, episode seventeen – “Dead Moon”
I am so livid right now I could actually leap on someone and murder them dead.
“Charlie Chamberlain, I know you’re out there,” calls Damon Van Schwartz, his voice all sing-songy. “Stand up so I can see you, my brother.”
