Present day
"Who was she?" Cami held the old photo carefully. The woman in the picture had short brown hair and a wide inviting smile. Klaus stood next to the woman smiling just as wide. "You look so happy" she remarked.
"I was" Klaus simply said. Not wanting to explain further.
"So many people from your past, I'll never know" Cami put the photograph back between the pages of the book. "I wish I could have met her"
"Perhaps in another life" Klaus took the book from Cami a placed it back in its hiding spot on the shelf.
"Do you miss her?" Cami asked before she realized what she was asking.
"Everyday" was all Klaus said.
Chicago 1930 era
The woman's voice danced through the crowd. It was sultry and seductive, unlike any other. Her fingers traced the outline of the microphone as she swayed to the lone piano filling the ears of easy listeners. The club was dark and Klaus took the same seat towards the back as he had the night before. He ordered his usual drink, top shelf whiskey, two ice cubes, not three. He turned, sipped his drink and watched the young woman continue. The song ended and those paying attention applauded, those not paying attention shortly joined.
"Uncultured swine" Klaus thought to himself. How could they not appreciate such talent. He sipped his drink again, placing the glass back on the bar. He lost sight of the performer, but he knew she would return after intermission and therefore was not concerned. However, the soft stench of cheap perfume soon filled his lungs.
"Care to buy me a drink?" A tiny blonde smiled waving her empty glass back and forth. A trick she has clearly done before without fail. Her curls were tightly pinned around her face emphasizing her structured cheek bones.
"Perhaps another time" Klaus simply said and turned away from her. The blonde pouted and stomped off.
"Second night in a row" Klaus turned to the new presence by his side. He expected to see another cheap blonde attempting to gain his company, instead his gaze was met by the performer. "You must be new to town" she smiled and waved at the bar tender, she held up two fingers and the man nodded. Her eyes were heavily lined with lashes that complimented her dark brown hair.
"That obvious is it?" Klaus played along. The bar tender presented them with two glasses. Klaus lifted his and tilted it to cheers.
"That is unfortunate for you" she threw her drink back confidently "House rules are, if you are new to town you either have to request a song or buy a round for the bar." She winked.
"Well it appears my tab will be much higher than expected this evening. What will the bar be drinking" Klaus found himself smiling as he laid a couple hundreds down on the bar. A small streak of shock mixed with horror ran across the woman's face.
"I only drink water on performance nights, but I'll hold you to that drink another time" her eyes moved from Klaus to something behind him and then back on his, " and I would be careful flashing that kind of money around here" she placed a gloved hand on his cheek before Klaus could turn to see what she was looking at. She got up to leave as the bar tender poured the rounds.
"I'm not very careful about anything" he said to himself as she walked away returning to the stage. A few patrons walked to the bar to receive their free round, the Blonde was among them.
"I don't think anyone has bought a round for the bar before," her voice was increasingly more annoying as words continued to fall out of her mouth. Klaus cringed at each syllable. He focused on the beautiful woman who now stood, again, in front of the microphone. The blonde huffed slightly, attempting on final time to gain his attention.
"is this man bothering you?" a gruff voice spoke from behind Klaus. Great another mouth breather. Klaus continued to ignore both as the music began.
"Not anymore" the blonde tilted her, now, full glass back and forth. She giggled as some spilled onto the floor. The man cleared his throat to speak again, but Klaus raised his fingers to his lips and silenced him.
"It is rude to speak during a performance" Klaus simply said and walked away, wanting no further interactions with the two. He found himself an empty table closer to the stage.
"This goes out to the sultry new comer who so generously provided this round." The woman announced as she winked at Klaus. He lifted his glass and everyone around him followed. He could get used to this town.
Long after the fine establishment had closed, Klaus found himself wandering the streets of the city. They were quiet and dark. The alcohol weighed heavily on his eye lids as he turned down an alleyway he hoped would lead him home. Not soon after he was halfway down the small enclosed street, he heard footsteps behind him. He slowed his step, hoping whoever it was would be a tasty treat to end the night. As he neared the end of the alleyway, Klaus envisioned the meal he was about to make. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a couple at the entrance. He paused and cursed, knowing his meal would have to wait.
"There he is" a female voice pointed to him. It was the blonde, accompanied by the large man from the bar. Before Klaus could realize what was happening, the man from behind him jumped him. Fists pounded against his body, the other man shortly joined. Upon gaining himself, Klaus quickly over took both men. He pushed the one off and grabbed the other by the throat. His grip was strong with hunger, his fangs appeared. He bit the man's neck harder than he would have normally, this was personal. The man screamed in agony as Klaus drained him. He dropped the lifeless body on the ground. The blonde screamed in horror. The other man stood in shock. Klaus' lips were dripping and his eyes focused on the next kill. He was quick and swift, only taking a small amount of blood, considering his thirst had already been quenched. Two lifeless bodies now laid on the cobblestoned street. Now for the blonde, He thought. She was sprinting out of the alley crying for help. But Klaus' speed quickly closed the gap. He grabbed her arm and jerked her to face him. Her makeup was streaked from crying and her curls were a mess from the struggle.
"Hello love," he smiled, his mouth still covered in blood.
"Please don't hurt me" she quivered in his grasp.
"shhhh" he said, faintly consoling her "you will remember nothing of what you just saw" he urged with a hint of compulsion. "you were walking with your companion, when he was jumped, it all happened to fast you can't be sure what you saw" he stressed the last part. "now go along and fetch the police, there's been a terrible crime" the Blonde nodded and as soon as Klaus released her she sprinted away yelling for the police.
Klaus knew he had a few minutes to stage the bodies so he made good use of his time. He liked this new town, and wasn't ready to leave, especially with the new possibility that someone, someone human, was after him.