The Red Witch and the Men that Sold the World
Two years after the war against the First word had traveled through the underground channels of the witch who had both tried to destroy the world and had also saved it from horrors that not even Klaus would ever think to unleash. After all, his goal was to rule the world, not watch it burn! And it seems fortune has shined down on him again, when Elijah drags him off to see his new obsession. And there, on stage, with a voice with far more soul than anyone her age should be able to put into a song, was the very witch who's aquaintance he had been wishing to seek! Singing a song it seems directly to him. Now if only Elijah would back off, he and the Red Witch could do what they had been born to do.
Chapter One: The Man that Sold the World
We passed upon a stair
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as a surprise
I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone
A long, long time ago
Oh no, not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
with the Man that Sold the World
I laughed and shook his hand
And made my way back home
I searched for form and land
For years and years I roamed
I gazed a gazeless stare
We walked a million hills
I must have died alone
A long, long time ago
Who knows, not me
We never lost control
Your face, to face
with the Man that sold the world
-The Man that Sold the War, written by David Bowie, as preformed by Nirvana
Klaus' POV
To say that he was amused by his usually put together and proper elder brother's obsession was putting it very mildly! He insisted for quite some time on ending his nights alone, at a bar that not even Bekah knew of. He got down right hostile if he was forced to leave, no matter how delicate a situation was since they began their personal Game of Thrones in New Orleans, even a few minutes later than his schedule. Tonight was the first night that instead of insisting to be alone, he had nearly physically dragged the Hybrid to the place. Due to the fact of amusement he let the slight pass, far to interested in what or who had got his brother so flustered and wanting to shake the hand and congradulate him/or her on a job well done! Inspite of waiting for news from the Hybrids sent to the crater that once was Sunnydale to learn any information on the powerful Red Witch that made the entire underground quake with fear in a way that only he was able to match, he wanted to see this, it was going to be a rare treat. It put him in a cheerful, charitable mood. That and the news that the last Bennet had been recovered, and brought Kol back from the viel with her. Finally the elder Salvatore had done something right! And as for Kol and Bonnie, he saw that coming a LONG time ago!
After all, if Bonnie Bennet didn't try to kill you at least once, you were underneath her notice. And she wasn't the nieve push over that every one could walk on anymore. His brother saw damn sure to that! He put the fear of God into the Salvatore brothers when they put on the pressure for her to put her life on the line, again, for the useless dopplegagger and she had refused outright. It wouldn't be long before they joined they're dysfuctional family in the Big Easy. Yet, this Red Witch, she had reached heights of power that no Bennett witch had ever been able to reach, not even Bonnie. She had, as he had after his curse had finally been put to an end, Ascended beyond the realm of meer mortals. It had been far to long since he had been in the presence of a true equal. They walked through the doors of one of the many famous dive bars, one that had so many names that it didn't even bother with a sign anymore. It was all dark but for the red and blue flickering lights up on the stage, which meant nothing to someone like him and Elijah, who made their way through the gloom with an ease that many a man would envy. It was quite clear that he wasn't in a talkative mood, which made Klaus that much more jovial and speak even more. It was strangely quiet, though crowded far more than he would of thought such a place would be, and he could sense strong fear in the room from different corners. This was interesting!
"This is a little bit of a darker crowd than your tastes, insn't it, brother? I wonder what it is that charms you so about it. Could it be you have a thing for the songbird coming on?" he goaded, enjoying the death glare that would make anyone one else piss their pants with fear. "I didn't ask you along to be mocked. I have my reasons why I finally decided to break my solitude and bring you along. Those reasons should be clear enough, when the curtains go up. Now can you do me the favor of sparing me of your banter and leave me in peace for this one time in your life?" Elijah bit off. And then, the air changed. Everything changed! He felt her before he saw her, or even realize her presence through his enhanced senses! He groaned, the rush of power, raw, untamed, uncontrolable power wrapping around him, embracing him almost like an old friend. And Elijah, caught as he was by his own reaction, shot him a devilish smirk. "What game are you playing at?" he demanded. But as though he were channeling their younger brother, he looked at Klaus with a strange fire in his eyes, excitement like he hadn't seen in nearly a thousand years while he put one finger to his lips, shushing him and pointing him to the stage. The first time her scent hit him, it was the most incredible scent he had ever known! If power had a smell, it would smell like her. Vanilla, with dark undertones of blackberry, a hint of smoke, fresh rain, and blood.
He saw his brother inhale rather deeply, smiling to himself before whispering "and my fair Willow comes." and something about how he said it put Klaus on alert. Suddenly there was alot more to this then he had first imagined! "I know that name, I've heard it before. Just what is it that you come here for again, Elijah!" he bit out. "You have eyes, just as good as mine. Why don't you look, take in our songbird, and tell me yourself?" he said before tuning him out completely and putting all his focus on the woman coming onto the stage. There was a hunger in his eyes that was undisguised lust, lust for what, Klaus couldn't have said. But there was only one other that had produced such feelings in his stoic brother and nothing was more scary than when the gentleman of their family lost control. He pushed all of these thoughts from his mind, copying his brother and putting all his focus on the petite form slowly making her way forward with two others for backup. As she got closer the feeling and smell inhanced, and to say he was impressed and intriuged was an understatement! There was electricity in the air, and that heavy feeling of fate was setting on him. Something was going to happen here. He barely had time to grab his drink before Elijah grabbed his arm and began to make his way up to the front of the stage, many people slowly backing off, making Klaus smirk. So he had let go more than once in here and people knew better than to get in his brother's way. Interesting! And then, over the loud speaker the owner began to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen, straight from the shores of California, tonight we treat you to the sweet, soulful sounds of Lady Red and the Willows!" and the curtain slowly pulled up to reveal a petite, fragile looking red head that would have been taken for an innocent but her eyes, oh lords those eyes! There was fire, there was madness, pain beyond all comprehending. Rage that could bring the world down to it's knees, love that left you breathless, Heaven and Hell. All that he read in those startling emerald eyes. Skimming the crowd, a slow smile crept on her face when she spotted Elijah, giving him a slight nod that he returned. A soft voice, a sound that angels would weep to hear and devils would envy wrapped itself around them as her eyes pinpointed him and Elijah and it was then he understood. It had not been Elijah's decision to bring him here, Lady Red and told him to. She knew something of who they were, and yet there was not an ounce of fear. Not even a little bit. It intoxicated his brother, while it simply made Klaus far more curious. "She's a witch." he said to Elijah. "Just getting that, are you?" he said with a smirk. Something about this was to mocking, to knowing. "Who is she, who is she really? And don't tell me you don't know! You are chummy enough to have spoken with her and to bring me at her request." the threat was apparent in his voice. "She's THE witch, Nikolaus. And she would speak with us alone, after. But she wanted my honest opinion on something and knows and understands, truly understands what it means to be in love with jazz. I told her I would give her listen again and tell her what I thought." he said.
And like that, Klaus knew that beautiful, powerful creature had his brother wrapped around her pinky finger! And for once, Klaus was impressed with his brother's choice! It was the smart choice, one built on mutual power, a kinship of equals instead of the always depressing damsel in distress. But he wondered if she knew the effect that she had, on the more powerful beings of the world. But then again, all but they had shied away from her it seemed. There were more than just a few supernaturals in the room with them. "Well, it's lovely to see you all. It has been a beautiful spring, my first here in the Big Easy, and I never wish to leave. This place has brought me into my own, and I wanted to share my love of this wonderful city and remember where I came from, and salute also the bygone era of the Blues. Tonight, raise your glasses and sing with me, while we celebrate Beltane together!" she brought out a beautiful accustic guitar and started with one of his personal favorites, in honor of the love of his musical life, Billie Holiday with Lady Sings the Blues. And the emotion that came pouring out of her and onto the crowd infected him, went down into his very bones in a very intimate way, as though it was she and he alone and she played only to him! He had never come across someone who's voice was as endearlingly strong and yet broken in YEARS! He began to forget everything else but her, singing out secrets through every single song after that. Sometimes he could see and smell the tears that never fell.
And when she began to sing the song written by Charlie Chaplin, Smile, images began slipping out of her. Images so heart breaking that even he, the sociopathic Hybrid felt compassion, and rage at those that had brought such horrible things on her. Slowly, he began to intake all of the small details, hints to the idenity of the Red Goddess that sang her heart out to them. Her specific accent, the unqiue and overwhelming signature of the magick that surrounded her like a cacoon, the menace he could feel lying beneath it all, begging to be released, to be set free to take the world. He breathed it all in like air. And as an hour passed by and slowly he began his second bottle of Scotch shared between he and his rapt brother who silently passed the bottle back and forth between them the clues started to add up! It was the names that came passing through her lips, dedications to the dead and that undisguised anguish that clicked everything into place, and suddenly, this night became the most important of his entire life! What everything he had done had been moving towards! On that stage was someone whom he understood intimately! He understood her more than anyone else ever could, including those so called friends that reminded him all to closely of those that used and abused another powerful witch. He understood her better than she understood herself, the longings, dark desires, to want to test the limits of her incredible power, the perfect blend of Heaven and Hell in a lovely petite package with long crimson hair.
The whole time her eyes kept straying back to him and Elijah. No human would have been able to spot them in that crowd of bodies, moving around the stage as they did. But she is the one that transcended past her mortal shell and was still getting comfortable in her power. Which made his opportunity that much more precious! He had no issue with being generous to someone like her, offering to her that which all the rest of the world took away. The opportunity that she could only be able to snatch while at his side. To reach for the stars, to let her power spread out across the land. To be free of the chains that had been set upon her by those that feared her power. He smirked, they should fear her. They should shudder in her presence, fear to speak her name! For if she agreed, he would make sure that they broke every single chain those so called good people had cast upon her and reclaim the city, and then from there, the world was their personal play ground! And she would also have a star pupil to tutor in controling the dark side of her magick in Bonnie. That would make Kol her everlasting friend! He wondered if Bonnie knew that it would be he that turned her, so that as a Hybrid she could keep the magick flowing in her veins. Kol had asked it of him, he wanted her removed from Elena forever! And now he could understand why, watching what such devotion to such unworthy and weak humans could do to a powerful witch! Soon, when she was ready, revenge for all her pain was in order!
He saw the pain in Elijah as the images spilled on to him, and the murderous rage underneath. He could see how the gentleman would fixate on someone like her, so lovely, so darkly powerful and utterly vulnerable at the same time. He could paint her a thousand times, the Fallen Angel cast down for love. Though not the same in effect, Klaus could not deny that her presence effected him like no other, not even the mother of his child ever had! Hayley knew her place, understood that he would never be in love with her like he had been with Caroline. But he would see to it that she had respect and people would learn to fear her. Her and his son, whom he named after one of his old favorite books and it's author, Dorian Oscar. He just couldn't make himself care for anyone like that after Caroline, nor could he before her. But his songbird upon the stage was different, he could feel it in his bones! She could read every secret he ever had, should she wish, and unlike everyone he's ever known, she wouldn't run away, and she wouldn't be afraid. Then the last song, the one his brother had been waiting on began. And it was like hearing it for the first time, as though it had been written and was being sung directly to him, and the two powerful beings connected together in unwavering gazes, her eyes filled with a long lost sense of wonder and his filled with excitement and new vigor running through his veins! Elijah shot him a smirk, taking the last swig of the second bottle before leaving to get other drinks and set up a table for them to speak after everyone else left.
To say he was delightfully shocked when she sung such a song to him, not even disguising the fact that her mind was not on the rest of her audience who had begun to shuffle out, who couldn't handle the pressure her magick unintentionally caused or the darker emotions she provoked out of them. Her other band members she had sent off and it was just her and the guitar while roadies came in to take out the rest of the instruments. He found himself mouthing the lyrics with her and together they carried the song The Man that Sold the World. He shot one look at Elijah, who's eyes kept straying back to the stage, a look of emense pleasure taking over and his eyes darkening in longing that made him smirk to himself. She finished with a flourish, getting up and reaching, taking his hand and confirming what he already knew now. He had no more need to waste resources to find the Red Witch. She was right in the Big Easy. Seperated most likely permenately from her friends, cast aside after she was no longer useful as they feared what she could now be capeable of. That suited him, though for the first time in more years than he cared to think about he felt absolute hatred and rage for those that had done such a thing, after everything she had done and had sacraficed for them. It was a damn good thing Bonnie realized what it was that she felt for his brother while they were on the otherside, otherwise another witch who deserved only the best would suffer the same pain!
But it was going to be ok, with or without permission, he would make sure that those friends learn that they are not untouchable and that he would make sure that they understood exactly what it felt like to be treated like they had treated her! She reached out into the crowd and looking side to side grabbed her hand, eyes gazing into hers. Startling azure on fiery emerald orbs and with his strength he held her there, his gaze gaining rapt attention, his intent read sure as day, and he kissed her hand before letting go and giving her a knowing smirk that she returned with a lopsided, interested grin. There was a spark there, a spark that had been missing likely for far to long! Hers was a beast that never knew freedom, and he was the one there offering her the keys, keys to the world! The beginning of a game that only the two of them could play. He felt more alive than he had in a millenia! He gave her a nod before dissapearing into the crowd, seeking after Elijah after compelling many to leave quietly and give them some peace. And they all left rather quickly, the three of them being more than the humans could take in the same space. He took his time, waiting to see her return after changing from the back changing room before walking slowly and making it to their table but a few seconds before she did. She wore a bright smile when she saw Elijah. "You came through!" she said rather excitedly before blushing a charming color shooting a quick glance in Klaus' direction.
"As much as I would like to keep you to myself, I am a man of my word, my Lady. I am rather interested myself in what the Watchers know of us. We are not the more common breed of vampire that you are used to. I didn't even know we were known by the Order till you graciously excepted my first invitation." he said, getting up and taking her hand, doing as Klaus did earlier with his eyes never leaving her face, taking in every small change. "How could I NOT?! You guys are the first of your kind! I've only met one other immortal that could boast of your age and he did not roll with the times. You are living history, you saw it happen, watched the French Revolution unfold, the end of the Czars, had spoken to Lorenzo Medici, and the PAINTINGS! I confess it was the paintings that had me interested in meeting your brother here! They are so primal, full of passion, you can feel the emotions pouring off the canvas and suddenly you are there and in another world and madness is no longer anything to fear. And then there is your poetry, and the portrait of Rebekah by Rembrandt!" She spoke fast, her excitement began infecting him and he felt flattered at how she was effected by his work, and amused that some of it had been collecting dust within the archives of an Order as old as time itself! Oh to have access to those archives! And with her, he just might! It would only take one mention of looking upon some of his own work again….
His brother smiled brightly at her. "I am glad we meet with such approval, knowing what you know and who and what we are. You are litterally the only person that has been in our presence with such knowledge and yet can approach with no fear in your heart. I can't remember the last time I had such a pleasure be thrust upon me. But I can't help but think that seeing me, there isn't a bit more to this than meeting the Originals." it was tactful and polite, but a pointed question. She shrugged, looking at Klaus next. "What can I say, I was never a good liar. Is it so wrong to seek out those like me after all I've been through? How could I go back after everything that I have done? I have wrought my own pain, because I can't find control. Do you know how hard it is to reign in the beast when it screams beneath my veins with all the power of hell? That I feel locked in a cage, to be poked and prodded at by the innocent millions who have no idea of what others have done so that they can continue in their ignorent bliss? I have been stuck in my gilded cage of Hell with no one to turn to and then suddenly, one night, I see you, and you looked so moved, I had never effected anyone like that before. And when I learned who you were, I knew you might regect me, but I had to try and seek out help from those who have known witches with dark power. I wouldn't be the first you ever helped, but only now we'll be on equal footing and I know this time all that I stand to loose and what I'm getting myself into. You could help me find control, and through me learn things you couldn't ever dream about, as well as my magickal help and aid in taking the city back from Marcel.
I DO NOT like that guy! He has let the supernaturals of this city go unchecked, and he treats his witches like slaves! It would be a pleasure to at least give some aid to someone that understands and respects a witch's power. I wish to make a life here, to no longer be in fear every time I cast a spell of loosing control and letting Hell take me over entirely. I want to be free from the judgement, the constant second guessing, the long looks of suspision when they think I'm not looking! I don't come to you empty handed. You know who I am, and you especially, Nikolaus, know what and who I have it in me to be. I am asking for your help to reach that potential. I offer you something of high value in return. Do you hate me for that?" her voice sounded broken and her eyes were on the white table cloth. Feeling that unusual compassion flood through him, he shot Elijah a glance, who's hand already reached over and gently began to stroke her hair. "I could never hate you. And you have done nothing wrong. In fact, my brother has been looking for you since we heard about the War. We need to know when the stakes are so high, and to understand what needs to be done. We also have our own magickal needs, as creatures like us always do. I can't speak for Klaus, but I'll do anything in my power to help you." Klaus smirked. Elijah was infatuated, he would do whatever Willow Rosenberg asked him. Klaus reached his hand across the table and took hers.
She looked up and their gazes locked, and he knew he would never get used to that utter beauty of her eyes, the true windows of her soul. He would never tire of looking upon them. "I know what it is to be locked in a cage not of your own making by those afraid of power, Songbird. Gladly will I help you and make a mutally exceptable agreement. This is quite a gift, I didn't wish to have to take your services using tatics like before. I wish to set you free, and let you soar above those that drug you down in their self righteousness before running away in fear. Give us your services and bond yourself to us in blood and I will set you free and you shall not know want again. And you will have a star pupil for yourself, in a short time. A Bennett witch quickly coming into her own, like you she has just begun to cast off the chains others cast upon her. And realize that this city is but only a beginning. From here we can go anywhere you wish. But you must know that once the bond is complete, it is for life. You will be one of us, and you will not be able to go back to the world you knew. Your time of fighting Appocolypses is over. I shall not let that Order of old fools continue to use and abuse what is mine in such a manner as they see fit. Your time with the Slayers is also over. Your past must remain exactly that, for I will not have them meddling in my affairs." he said truthfully, wondering why he bothered to reveal that instead of trapping her. Something about her made him want everything out on the table.
A slow bitter laugh erupted from his lips followed by a heartbreaking smile. "I know, Nikolaus, I knew that before I dared to ask. I don't belong to their world anymore. I am tired, I am so very tired. I have spent my life fighting things that fill a thousand fairy tale horrors. I have always been overlooked, trodden upon, and used whether it be for my intelligence, my hacking, or my power and I've never had a chance to live, truly just live! Surely there is nothing wrong with wanting to live! To let go and just be and not have the weight of the world always on my shoulders." She turned to meet Elijah's intent face, blushing again when she saw how close they were. "No, it's not. But agree to do this, and we promise it won't all be just work." he said. But it was Klaus who sold the deal, gripping her hand a little tighter to catch her attention, a little gasp that he only caught by being who and what he was being enjoyed by him. "Do this and I will have the world at your feet, Songbird. You will have everything you didn't have before. A life, friends, a family, and you will come under our protection. So what do you say, shall we seal the deal?" he couldn't help himself from throwing the innuendo, and the unguarded smile and true laughter showed him that he made a good move.
"Only if you get some of your pets to move my stuff. Lots and lots and LOTS of books, and if I want to live the life of luxury, I want the joy of commanding lackies to pick up my stuff and do my work for me." she said with a humoress grin that sent him into laughter right along with her and had Elijah wearing an relieved and amused smile. "Done! As I am not a patient man, I ask you give me your address and trust to my sister's decorating genious and before tomorrow while you sleep we will set up everything, that way all you need your energy for is the bonding ritual." Elijah answered. She smiled at them both, laughing at herself. "After everything I have done, I join the Originals in the quest of world dominance and trusting vampires to not kill a threat in her sleep while they move her things. And yet, I trust that you are men of your word. I haven't felt this secure, this free in a very long time gentlemen. I won't forget this kindness." he could tell that she meant every word. And Klaus knew that nothings was more valuable that a witch willingly at your side with true loyalty to you. And he knew of none on par with her power. He couldn't believe he was thinking it, but Elijah had done the impossible, and he owed his elder brother for this, BIG TIME! Just like he now owed Bonnie and already had Hybrids looking after her and reporting on every annoyance the Salvatores brought with them, pleading every time Kol looked elsewhere for ten seconds.
Willow wrote her address and passed it to him, and he sent a message to his most trusted Hybrids. Those that would be careful with the items they brought. There would be priceless magickal artifacts with her that he would kill several of his own for if they dared to allow any damage to come to! He ordered Champagne and the three of them toasted to the new world to come.