Chapter 183 - Lights, Camera, Action!

The Training Hall Three was a place that would've fit in a sci-fi movie. It would've been a place built by ancient aliens, with their indecipherable writing covering the metal walls, floor and ceiling, with a feeling of weird flatness about it. That is, if you discarded the dozen of folding metal chairs set in a circle and a knee-tall box full of indefinable stuff stood in a corner like a sport equipment didn't put back after usage.

It also looked way too much like a sealed coffin if you look from inside. I didn't miss the way JJ's steps faltered when we entered. I took his hand then, and he squeezed it in return before letting go.

Just like that last time I saw her, Prom Queen brought her escort of two cousins and Roma. Eyes of all four kept flickering to JJ, like he was an old bomb that might go off at any given moment. At their obvious fear, JJ only smiled and pretended he didn't notice, and Prom Queen, in turn, pretended that she wasn't afraid when she thanked him for his help in "achieving their goal of liberating supernatural population from the shackles of millenniums-old tradition".

"We have already begun the first step of our established plan," Prom Queen declared, standing up like she was on a podium and not in an underground hole for magical experiments. "Our posts on VKontakte, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Reddit had gained tons of comment and reposts in just the first hours! It was mostly a test at this point, but I'm glad to say that while there are still many sceptics who declare the magic showed in the videos to be computer graphics, there are many genuinely interested and curious people, too!"

I nodded. I've seen those—I had time to check my newsfeed after that nap, and there's been a lot of reposts of the posts made by Prom Queen's team. "It's good that you kept yourself anonymous on them," I noted.

"Of course! It's quite obvious that whoever will show themselves as the public representative of our community will be a target not only for common haters but also for vampires who still keep to the First Commandment," Prom Queen's eyes flickered to JJ. "But speaking of which, one of the reason we've been so glad to have you here, Jean-Jacques, is because many of the sceptics bring up an argument of us, witches, looking too human-like. Plus, our mentions of other supernaturals are questioned because none of them had been around to talk with the public yet. If you'd allow us to make a video with you, showing off some of your basic abilities, maybe just the harmless ones, it would've reaaally helped."

"Alyona, you should know that vampires have no harmless abilities." JJ flashed his fangs in the most friendly manner one could do with something as dangerous as a vampire's eye teeth. "And it would be tricky to show my more obvious features," he gestured at his face, pausing at eyes and mouth, "while keeping me anonymous, wouldn't it?"

"Well," Prom Queen pinched her lips. "We all thought… You could be our spokesperson openly." Before JJ could respond, she hurriedly added, "You are a powerful and old vampire, and your particular fame, Jean-Jacques, makes you a perfect person for it! The man who defeated demon of old, the great and terrible Dracula, saving the Europe from even darker Dark Ages, now spearheads progress and liberty once again—"

A single glance at JJ's faintly nauseated face made me bite my cheek to fight a smile. I hurried to save him. "Have you been thinking about this all night?" I interrupted. "This just won't do. It's too early for dropping the protection of anonymity! We need more support, especially from other supernaturals."

"I told you the same," Roma said, shaking his head. Prom Queen let out a huff of air.

"It was just an offer. You are, of course, are free to refuse. This is a heavy responsibility, I understand. We are still arguing about other possible candidates… I could do it, of course, but it doesn't seem right with my low position in supernatural society. Well, I still hope you can shoot in a video. We can record it right now, if you agree." Prom Queen glanced around. "This place looks just the right sort of magic-cool. Sometimes, you just get into the stereotype!"

I and JJ exchanged glances. "She does have a point about showing off," I said. "But I think it would be better if you talked about something you could only learn by living a few centuries ago. Some rare historical facts and stuff. One can fake fangs and eyes and whatnot, but something that obscure, in my opinion, will bring more interesting questions from people. There'd be experts and so on and so on…"

"That's a great idea, Diana!" Prom Queen brightened. "And we can still show your fangs in the shot, Jean-Jacques."

He crossed his arms across his chest and hummed. Then, in a habitual gesture, he inclined his head, spilling waves of gold over his shoulder, and looked at Prom Queen, who looked torn between blushing and paling. "This sounds quite interesting. As long as you use your technological methods to keep me from being recognised by my face or voice, I would gladly do it."

"Amazing, just amazing. Thank you! Lyuba, where's the camera? We only booked the hall until," she checked her phone, "for one more hour. We have to hurry if we want to shoot a vid and still have time for the rest of the meeting!"

"I have the camera, I have it."

Roma was already pulling a laptop out of the big bag he had with him. "I can edit some here, but I will need a power outlet soon."

I blinked. "Boy, this was fast. Well," I patted JJ on his arm. "I'm sure you will do fine. You were born for a camera."