Allison was starting to think that she spent a little too much time in bars, even if she did manage to get some studying done. Over the past few days she went through her normal routine, a couple classes, lots of homework, and most of all trying to wrap her head around the whole concept of vampires. She quickly learned that internet searches didn't bring anything but fear and she quickly forwent that route of research. She would just need to question Marcel about it when she was ready to talk to him again.
Allison ended up in her normal seat at Rousseau's bugging Cami at work and flirting with a cute guy from one of her classes. He ended up being incredibly self involved and boring, and was starting to get a bit too handsy so early in the day. Allison eventually said her goodbyes and moved over a few seats to where Cami was talking to another one of her customers, a pretty blonde girl who looked to be there by herself.
Allison was able to pick up the end of what she was just saying, "…and so then I moved here to be closer to my brothers, because let's face it family's important, right Camille?"
"Cami." Allison corrected for her with a laugh as she sat in on one of the bar chairs. Cami poured her friend another drink as Allison continued, "How many drunk guys have hit on you in French today?"
The bartender laughed along with Allison. "I think the count's up to 5 and it's still early." Rebekah smiled along with them, looking at the girl who approached her. It was clear as day to Rebekah that Allison was human, her long light brown hair fell naturally straight over her shoulders and down her back. She had on a light pink sundress and a simple pair of brown Greek sandals, a cute outfit, which Rebekah appreciated.
"And what's your name love?" Rebekah curiously directed at Allison.
"Allison, but everyone calls be Allie, I guess the extra syllable gets to be too much." She joked. "I don't think we've actually met though." She added, taking the strikingly beautiful blonde in front of her. Her natural icy blonde hair gleamed in the sun rays that were making their way through the windows of the bar and fell in soft waves. She had striking blue eyes, full pink lips and pale white skin, with some freckles peppered perfectly across her cheeks and nose. She must have been around Allison's age, perhaps a year or two older, however something about her demeanor, made her seem much older.
"I'm Rebekah. So are you two friends?" She asked motioning to the two girls. She assumed they were close judging by how rudely Allison had interrupted their conversation, but it seemed like she did that a lot with Cami.
"Roommates." Cami mentioned in between mixing some other drinks.
"Cami, I'm hurt." Allison mocked offense. "We are the best of friends, first friends that we each made when we moved here." She smiled as Cami nodded along.
"Lovely." Rebekah stated with a smile. She couldn't help but be slightly jealous at how close the two seemed. Not having a real friend for almost a thousand years other than her family was very hard, she wished she could fall in easily and become fast friends with someone like these two did. "So Cami, your dating Marcel right?"
Allison choked on the drink she was sipping. This is the first she has heard of this. Granted her and Cami haven't really talked so much over the past few days. Allison was so immersed in trying to come to terms with the fact that her friend had been a vampire and now she hears that Cami is apparently dating said vampire. I really needed to get her head out of the clouds. Allison coughed for a second while Cami looked at her with a confused expression. "Why is this the first I'm hearing about this?" She finally managed to get out.
"Its not exactly dating, we went out once but it something came up." She explained looking a little taken aback that a stranger would know this small detail about her.
"Well, I heard he had a crush on the cute blonde bartender, he's a pal of mine." She added. Allison didn't bother saying anything. She hadn't really talked about Marcel with anyone. But now that she thought about it, if Marcel was a vampire and she was a friend of his, wouldn't that mean she is a vampire. But Marcel is friends with Allison and she's human so she supposed he could have human friends. Somehow she really didn't believe that he had many human friends and it was doubtful that this was one of them. Realizing this, her heart rate spiked as she became more nervous being in such a close vicinity to a vampire. Hearing the change in her heartbeat, Rebekah glanced over at Allison who averted her gaze.
Thankfully Cami continued, bringing Rebekah's attention back to the bartender. "I guess, he's wooing me sort of, I don't know, I mean he's very charming which probably means I should run for the hills."
"I'm kind of in an on again off again thing myself at the moment, it's been back and forth for a very long time." Rebekah divulged.
Allison could not figure out if she was a vampire and she felt obliged to pitch in on the conversation especially after she joined it without an invitation. "Those are the worst aren't they?" She quipped. "The ones you just can't shake even though you know better."
"And you always know better." Cami added making Allison laugh at the double meaning. It was true, Allison and Cami have both had their fair shares of failed relationships and have talked all of them through with each other.
"I like you two!" Rebekah stated throwing back the rest of her drink. "Hey so I'm supposed to go to this posh charity thing thrown by this Gatsby type man tonight. Any interest?" Cami and Allison both looked at each other and shrugged. It was a party and that was something Allison could never say no to. It would also be a good distraction from everything floating around in her head.
As Cami finished up the last hour of her shift, Allison talked to some friends in the quarter to find out a bit more about this charity party. She didn't know anyone that was really going, they said it was really exclusive, but from what they heard it was supposed to be an amazing party and it's for charity so what could possibly be the downside?
Allison and Cami met back at home where they were faced with the ultimate dilemma, what the hell were they going to wear to this party? Allison was guessing something a bit more formal since the party was so exclusive, so her collection of short cocktail dresses would not do. After an hour of tearing through each other's closets and putting together outfits, both girls were ready for the party.
Cami wore a white lace and jeweled dress paired with angel wings. Allison put her hair in a stylish up do and did her makeup, she truly looked gorgeous, like an angel. She couldn't help but feel jealous of her blonde friend, she looked really beautiful. Allison wore a green ball gown with silver sparkles that descended like a waterfall down her dress. The bust clung tightly to her chest, creating a nice amount of cleavage to be pulled up by the straps of the dress which stretched up to and over her shoulders, creating crossed patterns across the otherwise open back. There was a slit that started dangerously high on her thigh which only flew open when she walked. Cami curled Allison's long brown hair and added a flower to it giving more a costume feel that paired well with the elegant dress.
Before they knew it, it was time for them to head to the party. Cami pulled up the address that Rebekah had given her earlier that day as they both put on their simple heels and made their way out of the door. They both agreed to take a cab because it would be easier than trying to deal with their car in the morning, as they had a feeling that neither of them would be sober enough to drive them home.
The girls could hear the music outside of the luxurious compound as soon as the cab pulled up. Allison had passed the Arbitor so many times walking these streets, she never imagined that she would actually get to see the inside. Lights and decorations stretched outside and if it was this beautiful outside, they couldn't imagine what was inside.
Exiting the cab, the girls walked through the entrance, nodding to the bouncer that stood outside the door. He looked at the two beautiful girls and their apparel clearly indicated they were invited to the party.
Allison's breath was taken away as she entered the large courtyard of the compound. There was vibrant and modern music playing while lights and decorations covered the large room. Entertainers littered themselves throughout the room. Some girls on drapes, snake charmers, and various other performers tended to their respective tasks, looking unaware of the party guests watching and moving around them. It was definitely a sight to see. Allison had never been to a party this fancy for as long as she could remember. The only thing that even came close was prom in high school. The two girls spent a couple minutes looking around the room, taking it all in.
Rebekah spotted the two girls enter and look around the room, taking it all in. The blonde made her way over to the only humans in the whole compound. "Hello darlings, you both look precious."
The girls turned towards Rebekah and smiled to the striking blonde. "This party is amazing; I've never been to anything like it." Allison admired, looking around the room once again.
"Yes it's incredible." Cami added.
Allison looked over Rebekah's shoulder and noticed a man standing behind her watching their conversation. She locked eyes with him, and Allison got this the sense of danger that seemed to radiate off of him. There was a sense of power in the way he carried himself that suddenly made Allison feel very inferior.
The man shot her a smirk and started making his way over to where the three girls stood, his eyes now locked on Rebekah. The man came to stand next to Rebekah and shot a smile at Allison and Cami. "Is this the infamous on again off again?" Allison asked curiously seeing how he looked at Rebekah with a certain familiarity. The man standing before them was incredibly attractive. He stood just an inch under six feet, with dirty blonde short curly hair and dark blue-green eyes that contrasted incredibly well with his pearl white skin. He had a well built lanky physique, a delicate but masculine face, and was dressed in an impeccable black tux.
"No he's the brother actually." He chuckled, a comfortable lopsided grin on his face. "And my sister is right, you both look stunning." He shot that same smirk at Allison then let his eyes drift over to Cami, giving her a blatant once over and a cocky half smile. Allison didn't miss the interested look he had given her friend.
"You clean up pretty well yourself." Cami responded smiling at him.
"Don't be fooled sweetheart, I'm the devil in disguise." Allison got the sense that what he had just said was far more true than he was making it seem.
"Well I'll let you two chit chat, I'm sure Allison would like to come find the booze with me." Rebekah offered causing Allison to nod gratefully.
"You know me all to well already Rebekah, I think we are going to make great friends." She said happily moving to Rebekah's side and following her lead to the bar. The blonde beamed at the statement. As a woman without many friends, she appreciated Allison's character and would be open to a friendship with her. Over her many centuries and even as recent as her time in mystic falls, she had literally been stabbed in the back by people who said they were her friends. This caused Rebekah not to trust easily, or much at all. The blonde vampire was excited to have a potential normal friend in this city, she almost felt bad using Allison's friend as a distraction for Marcel.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear. As soon as they both had ordered their drinks Allison spotted Marcel approaching them. Why is he here? In fact, she didn't even know most of the people in attendance at the party. Allison suddenly felt very self conscious and out of place, looking around she realized she didn't really recognize anyone at the party on a personal level. And now the last thing that she could possibly need was approaching her quickly. She knew that Marcel couldn't be avoided forever, however she didn't really want to see him just yet.
Allison made eye contact with him for a moment before rolling her eyes and looking back to her drink. Marcel looked to the side to see who she was with and his eyes narrowed marginally at Rebekah. "I didn't know you two knew each other." Neither of the girls missed the skepticism in his voice, which made Rebekah smile, knowing her distraction for Marcel was working.
"We just met actually," Allison explained to Marcel reluctantly. She didn't feel like she needed to explain herself to him, especially since he was the one that owed her multiple explanations. "She was kind enough to invite me to this amazing party, but if I knew that you'd be here I probably would have opted out."
"Seeing as it's my party you're attending; It'd be a little rude to leave." He said coolly to her. Allison's mouth opened slightly in surprise, she wished Rebekah would have told her that major detail before she got dressed up and went to the party. "You look amazing by the way A." His comment made Allison blush and look down. She had never thought of herself as amazing in the looks department. Sure she'd been called pretty, but Allison never really saw it. She thought her appearance was average, maybe border lining boring. She had brown hair, brown eyes, heart shaped face, full lips, reached a height of 5'6", and had an average build, she wasn't stick thin, but her arms and legs were relatively toned.
"I'm going to leave you two alone." Rebekah stated. Allison was about to turn to ask her to stay but she was already gone. She reluctantly turned back to Marcel, dreading the conversation they were about to happen.
"Listen A, I'm so sorry for not telling you, but I didn't exactly know how to." Marcel started but was cut off by Allison.
"Oh how about, hey Allie just wanted to let you know that I'm a supernatural creature involved in a world that I deliberately kept you ignorant too." Marcel frowned at her words. "So before you go ahead and put all your trust in me, becoming my friend, I thought you'd want to know. That wouldn't have been so hard for a big bad vampire like yourself would it? But no, you chose to take the cowardly way out." She finished, glaring at the vampire. Normally Marcel would not take anyone calling him a coward lightly, if any other person had spoken to him the way Allison just had, he had no doubt that he would take violent action to show them just how cowardly he was not. A couple of his guys stepped forward, gauging if the small girl was a threat, and curious to see how Marcel would react.
He took a deep breath and looked around him at the party guests he managed to attract the attention of. "Let's not do this here." Allison was confused at first but she soon understood that Marcel didn't want his peers to have a front row seat to what they were about to hash out.
"Fine." Allison huffed. "Lead the way." A couple guys moved in to follow Marcel if he needed protection but he waved them off. There's not much that a human could do against a vampire, not like she would try anything anyway.
They walked throughout the first floor of the large building. The hallways came to elegant arches and she could see the old and expensive architecture that made the building so interesting. Lights stretched throughout the compound and in to other areas of the building, even though the party would never reach that location. The pair stopped in one of the dining rooms on the first floor. Allison looked around the elegant room, it looked like something out of a movie, all the decor was expensive yet classic and tied together beautifully. Marcel let Allison look around the room for a bit, before she turned to face him. He could see the confusion and hurt on her face, and he hated seeing her so distraught, but he couldn't blame her, her whole world had just been turned upside down.
"Are you scared of me?" Marcel asked apprehensively, nervous for the answer he would receive. There was no part of him that had wanted to lie to or deceive her, her only wanted to protect her. She had no idea the world that was out there and just how easy it was to end up dead because of it.
"No." It was true, she wasn't scared of Marcel, she trusted him not to want to hurt her, if he did, he had ample opportunity over the past six months. What she was scared of was the unknown, and at that moment, Allison knew she was in the dark about a lot of things.
"Then please don't ignore me A." Allison's lips twitch upwards for a moment as he used the nickname he'd given her shortly after they met. She was used to people shortening her name to Allie, but she didn't think it was necessary to cut it down any further, he wouldn't let the nickname go though and Allison eventually came to like when Marcel called her that.
"You lied. I don't take that lightly. But you know that." Allison scowled at him, she was hurt that he broke her trust, even if it was a lie by omission, it was still a lie, he let her draw certain conclusions that weren't the whole truth. Marcel had known how uneasily she trusted those around her, she was too scared of opening herself up to get hurt, but he had always been there for her. No matter what she needed, he helped her. And eventually she found herself trusting Marcel completely.
"Look A, I didn't technically lie, I just didn't tell you everything about me." He countered, before he could stop himself, knowing that his words would only make what he did worse.
"A lie by omission is still a lie Marcel."
"What can I do to make it up to you?" He asked, not wanting her upset with him for any longer. Allison thought about that question, she didn't exactly want anything from Marcel, she wasn't sure if she even still wanted to be friends with him. She had missed being able to ask for advice from him and let's face it he's the one motivating her through school, she had been avoiding putting all of her effort in to her studies. When it came down to it, all that she really wanted was answers.
"Tell me about vampires." Her soft voice made only made Marcel feel bad for befriending her and bringing her in to the circle of humans that were aware of the supernatural. He brought an innocent, kind hearted, loving and fragile teenager in to a world that was drenched with blood and riddled in death. Marcel knew she was strong, that young woman had been through her fair share of pain, but humans were the lowest on the supernatural food chain and he couldn't ignore the threat that posed. "What do vampires do? I mean besides drinking blood." Allison grimaced slightly as she thought about him drinking someone's blood. Marcel looked taken back by the question but answered truthfully anyway.
"Um." He rubbed the back of his neck as he thought about where to start. "Vampires have certain abilities, we can run faster than a race car, hear a conversation in another part of the building, see in the dead of night, enhanced touch and smell." That actually sounds pretty cool. "Then there's compulsion. Its like mind control, we can tell a human to do something and they will just do it, no matter how much they don't want to." Well that's not cool for us humans. Marcel didn't miss the horrified look that flashed across her face. Allison held on to her thoughts and memories as if they were the most valuable thing she had, because they were the only true thing that was your own. The thought that vampires could take away the only true thing anyone had in the world was terrifying. "Hey you said you wanted me to be truthful, here it is, anything you ask, I will tell you the truth, A."
"Have you ever used this compulsion thing on me?" She was worried about the answer, but needed to know and hoped that Marcel would be truthful with her.
"No." He answered honestly. "And no vampire has since we've met, no vampire has ever bitten you either."
"How do you know that?" Allison asked, relieved that she hadn't been attacked by a vampire and forced to forget about it.
"There is this plant, it's called vervain, its like poison to vampires, I put it in your water filter so you always have it in your system." Allison should feel angry that he violated her home even if it was to protect her, but she felt this warming safe feeling. Marcel was looking out for her, she couldn't be mad at him for that. And who knows what could have happened to her if he hadn't of done that.
"Can vampires be compelled like humans can?" Allison asked curiously.
"You are asking some pretty good questions Allie, yes they can but only by the original vampires, those are the ones that were first created by magic, all other vampires are derived from them. They are over 1000 years old." Allison gasped at this, 1000 years is a long time. Hell most people are lucky to make it to 100. She couldn't begin to imagine the amount of things they had seen, then progression of history and the human race.
"Do you kill people?" Allison asked hesitantly. Marcel looked away from her and sighed. That was all the answer she needed. She stepped away from him, wanting to put as much distance between them as possible. "Allie please wait!" She stopped and looked at him. "Look it's not like that, I don't like killing, and when I need to feed I don't kill, neither do my guys. We take what we need, heal the people, then erase their mind so they never knew it happened."
"What do you mean heal them?" Allison wondered.
"Our blood, can heal pretty much any wound. It can bring someone back from the brink of death." Allison's jaw dropped at his words. If vampire blood could heal any wound why were there so many people dying needlessly and around the world?
"That's incredible." Allison stated almost forgetting that Marcel just admitted to having killed people. "What else?"
"Well we don't age, we look the same we do when we turn." He responded. Allison tried to wrap her head around all of this new information. She would never have thought that all these creatures possessed those supernatural powers, it made her feel inferior.
"How do you turn someone?"
"Why do you want to know that?" Marcel didn't want her to get the idea that becoming a vampire was a good thing. Allison was too innocent to be able to handle herself in the supernatural world.
"Morbid curiosity" Allison shrugged.
He resigned with a sigh. "Basically, you have to ingest vampire blood, then be killed. Then you wake up and feed on human blood to complete the transition."
"Wow." Allison couldn't think of anything else she wanted to ask him right away, so she changed the topic. "So you're Mr. Big shot in the city?"
He laughed at her question. "You could say that." Allison raised a brow, wanting him to continue and explain. "Let's just say there's a hierarchy in this city, and I'm at the top." Her jaw dropped slightly at his blatant words. It sunk in that she was talking to the most powerful man in the city, that one of her best friends was the most powerful man in the city. Allison had to admit that it did make a lot of sense, Marcel always had the best sections at clubs, best tables at restaurants, and now had practically an army of vampires at his disposal.
"So what do they, um your vampire people that you're above, know about me?" She was curious as to what Marcel had told them about her because clearly she had been seen around with him and she doubted that they wouldn't be curious about a human hanging out with their vampire leader.
"They should've known not to go after you the other night." Marcel growled remembering how Diego had lost control and nearly attacked her. "They just know you're my friend Allie." His answer made her nod, satisfied with her questioning for now.
"Should I be worried about anything?" Allison felt a little better knowing what she was dealing with, but she couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that clouded her mind. The thought of being utterly helpless against a vampire was enough to keep her on edge.
"No Allie, you don't have to worry about anything. Just be a little more carful walking at night alone. And if you ever feel like you're in danger, just call me, I will be there in minutes." Marcel did his best to reassure her. While he knew all to well that there were endless dangers for Allison in New Orleans, having her paranoid wouldn't serve her any good. Her worries were calmed somewhat, but remained at the back of her mind.
"So while we're on the whole honesty thing, what's going on with you and Cami? I didn't even know you guys knew each other, then she said you went on a date?" Allison was curious at how they got to know each other. And even though she knew that Marcel wasn't a bad guy, she still didn't want her best friend to get involved with vampires.
"I like her A." He said simply, shrugging.
"I don't want her mixed up in anything dangerous, she has enough to deal with already." Allison stressed, worried for her friend.
"I know; I don't want either of you involved in any of this." Marcel stressed as he thought about the originals entering his city and potentially stirring up trouble for him.
"Marcel, we are still friends but I need you to trust me enough to be honest and not lie about things. And if you ever need any advice on Cami, it'd be nice to return the favor for how much you have told me and helped me out." Talking things out with Marcel and him being honest meant a lot to Allison, she wanted to move past this because being hung up on things you can't change is no way to live your life. And from what it seemed, it would be better and a hell of a lot safer to have the most powerful guy in the city as her friend.
"We should head back; my guys might be getting antsy if I'm not around soon." The last thing Marcel needed was his guys wandering trying to listen in on his conversation. As much as he values his friendship with Allison, he knew she would be seen as a weakness to him, just like Cami was.
Allison nodded in agreement, feeling like there was a weight lifted off of her shoulders, the weight of the unknown, and while she was sure she would have many more questions as she was exposed to this world, having a basic understanding was helping her cope.
Allison suddenly stepped forward and threw her arms around Marcel, hugging him and resting her head on his shoulder. "I forgive you, just be straight with me Marc." He nodded happy he wasn't angry with him anymore, using the nickname he only allowed her to address him by. She knew that it was right thing to do to forgive him. He had been a rock for her, someone to lean on, and she needed that now more than ever.
"Alright A, let's get back." He pulled away from her and grabbed her hand, pulling her back towards the party.
When they both got back inside, Allison spotted Cami at the bar looking incredibly bored. She instantly felt guilty for ditching her best friend at a party where neither of them knew more than a handful of people. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Marcel following for gaze with his own. "You know, if you really do like her, go make sure she has a blast at this party." She turned to face Marcel so she could meet his eyes. "I'm sure I can find a way to entertain myself." Allison finished suggestively before looking around at the guys at the party.
Marcel narrowed his eyes, knowing how this girl liked to party, he really didn't want his male vampires setting their sights on her. Marcel couldn't describe the relationship him and Allie had in any certain terms. They had a weird balance, while Marcel was first and foremost her friend, and they loved hanging out together, he was protective of her. He had seen her at her lowest points in the past six months, he had seen her break more than once and he wasn't going to let anything toxic in her life, when she was just getting in to a good routine. He couldn't explain what had made him see Allie as more of a little sister than a friend, but he did and he'd do everything in his power to protect her from his world. "Just be careful A, the room is filled with vampires." Allison gave another glance around the room trying to see a distinction within the crowd of people that would tell her who was a vampire, but she found none. They all just looked like people. Her heart pounded in slight nervousness at being at a significant disadvantage if she were to get on the wrong side of the wrong person. A worried expression defined itself on her face as she looked up at him. "Don't worry you are on vervain no one can compel you and no vampire will be able to drink the vervain in your blood. And no one is going to bug you here."
His assurance eased Allison's concerns significantly, but she couldn't get rid of the fear lingering at the back of her mind. "Thank you Marcel."
"I'll always look out for you A." The sincerity in his voice made her smile and nod. She was grateful to Marcel for being there for her more times than she could count. She wouldn't believe he was a vampire if she hadn't heard it from himself. How could someone as compassionate, caring, and genuinely nice as Marcel be the monster of people's nightmares? He touched her shoulder as a goodbye and headed over to Cami, who smiled when she saw him approaching her with a charming smile on his face.
Allison headed to the other end of the bar where she saw Rebekah and her brother Klaus having what looked like an intense conversation. As she walked up they halted the conversation, obviously talking about something that Allison wasn't supposed to hear. "Don't let me ruin your chat," Allison started, "Just came to get a drink, I don't have nearly enough liquor in me." She quickly attracted the attention of the bartender, who started pouring her requested drink.
The pair turned to look at the girl who was leaning over the bar impatiently waiting for her drink. Rebekah laughed at the girl's insistence for liquor and caught the eye of the bartender, asking him to double whatever he was making. Rebekah's voice caused Allison to pull herself off the bar a little less obnoxiously and look to her right.
"Where'd you disappear to?" The blonde asked curiously, having not seen Allison anywhere in the large room for the past half hour.
Allison shrugged, "Just had to talk to Marcel." She didn't want to delve too much in detail, having only just met this woman. The bartender placed the two drinks in front of them and Allison happily took hers, while sliding the other towards Rebekah.
"You looked thoroughly pissed when you saw first saw him, you guys seem close." The brunette didn't miss the suggestive tone that lingered in Rebekah's voice, it nearly made her cringe as she realized what she was insinuating. Allison wondered why she wanted to know, she clearly knew Marcel and she said they were friends, so she could just ask him. She wasn't about to start running her mouth about a fight with Marcel that just got resolved. After she didn't say anything, simply sipping at her drink, Rebekah continued. "Apologies if I brought up that he was seeing Cami this afternoon." Allison's brows creased, she could tell that Rebekah was fishing, she wasn't sure what for, but the blonde was defiantly getting the wrong idea about her and Marcel. It caused Allison to frown slightly, before forcing her lips to pull back upwards. "I get the jealous thing, trust me." Allison could be the first person to admit that Marcel was attractive, he was the definition of tall, dark, and handsome, he was charming and he knew it. But she'd never see Marcel in a romantic kind of way, and he'd never see her that way.
She shook her head quickly. "No, it's nothing like that. Me and Marcel are just friends, he's like the big brother I never had." Allison glanced to Rebekah's side seeing her brother, Klaus, casually watching the girl's conversation with interest. "It'd be like you hooking up with Klaus." Allison laughed at the horrified look that came across both sibling's faces. "Exactly."
Rebekah's phone started ringing and she excused herself, grabbing her drink and moving to the outskirts of the loud party to take the call. After watching after Rebekah, Allison leaned her back flat against the bar and looked out at the party.
"I didn't appreciate the analogy." Klaus's voice made Allison turn her head towards him. His eyes were narrowed slightly, scanning her face, trying to get a read on her. She came to just about his shoulder height, her wavy brown hair cascaded down her back, and the dress she wore clung to her curves and gave her a nice neckline that Klaus took a moment to appreciate. He had seen many beautiful girls in his long lifetime, but he could never stop himself from looking at something pretty.
"I don't appreciate people prying in to my personal life." She replied indifferently.
Klaus scoffed at her snarky response and put a smirk on his face before turning back to the party. "So, are you from New Orleans?" Allison asked casually, not seeing anyone else she even remotely recognized to talk to. The only person she came to the party with was off with the only other person Allison personally knew at this party. She needed to at least entertain herself.
"No, but I'd like to call it my home." Klaus smirked, sipping his drink and turning to look once at the girl next to him.
"Its an amazing city. Favorite one that I've even seen, not that I've seen much." Allison carried on the conversation, trying to fidget under his intense gaze as his eyes ran over her again.
When they came back to meet hers and she could see the mischief and danger that floated in them which put her guard up slightly. "There is an entire world of amazing cities to explore."
"Maybe one day." Allison said softly. New Orleans was the farthest she had ever travelled from her home state of Wisconsin. She always imagined at some point in her life she would see the world, she made a goal in high school to see every country before she died. Everything she had ever learned about the world fascinated her, the history, the culture, the things that so many people in this time have forgotten all about. "So Klaus, that's an interesting name, haven't heard it before."
Klaus had turned his gaze to survey the room, putting a hard look on his face. "Well love, that's because it's a very old name, short for Niklaus." He wondered why this human was at a vampire event, asking an immortal hybrid about his name of all things. He tried to determine why she seemed to mean something to Marcel, why they he had left his own party for nearly a half hour to speak with her.
"Hmm. I like Nik better, Klaus seems so old school and a bit intimidating," Allison responded with a smile, trying to lighten the mood and get the judging analytical look of Klaus's face.
He raised one eyebrow and turned his entire body to face her so his side was leaning against the bar, his drink remaining firmly in his hand. "Well perhaps I like the intimidation my name gives." There was a dark look that came to his eyes, and Allison would bet all her savings that the man in front of her was a vampire. There's no way he couldn't be, but he's also Rebekah's brother, and Rebekah's friends with Marcel, and we're at a fucking vampire's party.
Deciding not to stress her mind too much with the unknown she decided took a guess to see if her assumptions were correct. She was however hesitant, from what Marcel said, vampires were very dangerous creatures. Knowing that they wouldn't be able to compel or drink from her gave her a bit more confidence, she had some form of protection. "I'd think the whole vampire thing would be intimidation enough."
He narrowed his eyes speculatively, "How did you meet Marcel?"
"How did you meet him?" Allison deflected, not wanting to explain the moment of weakness Marcel had found her in when they met.
Klaus smirked at her turning the question back to him, but deciding to humor her, "I met Marcellus when he was very young." Allison's forehead creased at the mention of Marcel's full name. "When he was still human."
"Wow." Allison smiled slightly thinking about Marcel as a young boy. "What was he like?"
Klaus scoffed and thought for a moment, remembering the time he spent raising Marcel and what eventually led to him becoming a vampire. "Stubborn."
"Sounds like him." Allison took a long sip of her drink.
"Your turn." Klaus lifted his, encouraging her to share.
"We met in a park." She shrugged. "I didn't know he was a vampire, until a couple days ago. I didn't even know vampires existed." A frustrated breath escaped her as she ran her hand through her hair.
"Oh little girl, you have no idea the world that is out there do you?" Allison gave him a confused look, trying not to take offense to him calling her a little girl. "In terms of the supernatural, vampires can be very low on the food chain." Her heartbeat picked up as she considered what he meant. "Oh now don't look so surprised love, you think that if vampires exist there couldn't possibly be something worse out there?"
"I haven't really thought about it. Allison said shrugging and moving her eyes away, suddenly finding interest in the ice floating in her nearly finished drink. "What are you?" Before she could filter the question it escaped.
"I'm a couple different things." He threw back the rest of his drink.
"What does that mean?"
"They call me the hybrid. Half werewolf, half vampire." Klaus smirked at her shocked expression. This girl really had no idea what Marcel had just introduced her to. It was almost liberating to talk to someone who didn't have some preconceived notion of him, or knew anything about his reputation. He picked up his empty glass and gestured to her. "Another round?" Allison nodded at his question, pulling the rest of the liquid in her glass through the straw and setting the empty glass on the bar.
"Werewolves?" What's next, fairies? Klaus simply nodded and ordered them two drinks.
When Allison got her drink she turned back around against the bar to face the rest of the party, she noticed Cami and Marcel dancing in the center of the floor. She couldn't help but smile at the image of her two friends. They both looked happy, and if Cami wanted to be with him, Marcel would protect her in everyway that he could. Allison was genuinely happy for her friends, both of them deserved it.
"They seem good together." Allison commented to Klaus, lifting her drink to gesture to the dance floor where Marcel and Cami were. The hybrid followed her gaze to the pair on the dance floor.
"I'm glad you think so." Klaus said. Not quite a response that Allison expected but she brushed it off.
Klaus was actually surprisingly easy to talk to for a supernatural creature, not that she had much to compare that to. He told her how he had just come back to town from Virginia, and was looking forward to seeing his old friend Marcel again. He didn't give too much detail beyond that in to his life, but he kept Allison talking and it made her incredibly less bored. She told him about how she transferred schools to New Orleans from Milwaukee, and that this was her first time living out of her home state. After a shot or two with Klaus and some more casual conversation, Allison was pretty buzzed and actually having a good time talking with Klaus.
Suddenly, she noticed the vampire that threw her in to the wall the other night in the ally, walk right to where Marcel and Cami were dancing. He said something in Marcel's ear that clearly angered him and apologized to Cami only to walk away over to another group of guys. She tensed up when she saw Marcel grab him by the throat and shove him against the wall. Wanting to look away, she found herself unable to. Marcel had never looked so enraged, so violent, so deadly to Allison before. This wasn't the friend she had come to know, the one who helped her overcome so much. I guess I don't really know him. Allison looked over at Klaus and saw him smirking slightly to himself. He had some sort of knowing look on his face as he watched Marcel.
Cami then walked over and joined Klaus and Allison at the bar. All three watched as Marcel yelled at his vampires. He looked so predatory and angry.
Klaus looked at Cami and said, "Are you alright sweetheart?"
"He's got a temper doesn't he?" She responded, not looking at Allison or Klaus, but keeping her eyes fixated on Marcel. "I guess this is the moment I remember that I know better."
Allison stepped forward to comfort her friend, "Cami, I'm sure its just business stuff. He's a nice guy." She knew that Cami didn't have any idea Marcel was a vampire or that she was in a room full of them, and there was no way Allison could explain to her that he was most likely dealing with something supernatural without sounding crazy.
"I'm just going to go home, Allie, stay and enjoy the party, I need to sleep." Cami said walking away, not letting Allison get another word in to convince her to stay. She knew that her friend just needed some space, she needed to come to terms with what she wanted with Marcel and if she would be able to handle where it was heading. Allison nodded and told her friend not to wait up.
She continued to watch Marcel as she stood next to Klaus, as they moved up to one of the second floor balconies overlooking the main area of the party. "What are they saying?" She asked Klaus. He just raised his eyebrows at her and smirked. "Come on I know you can hear them just tell me."
Klaus rolled his eyes and listened to his old friend. "Marcel's friend betrayed him, he's not taking too kindly to that." Allison scoffed at this, it was ironic that not an hour ago, Marcel was asking for forgiveness for lying to a friend, and now he is on the receiving end. Oh, the irony.
"What?" Klaus asked confused at her reaction.
"Nothing just a little irony." Allison answered illusively, finishing yet another drink. The party started to wind down and Allison had tried and failed to find Marcel. Klaus had disappeared a while ago and she was now stuck here alone. Grabbing her phone, she went to dial for a cab only to realize that her phone was dead. "Great." She muttered to herself. Not knowing what else to do, and not being able to find anyone else that she knew, Allison decided to simply stay and watch the entertainers perform until she could find Marcel or someone she knew to use a phone. At least the bar was still open. Allison ordered another drink and made herself comfortable. She noticed some of she Marcel's guys shoot her looks as she sat there drinking, but none of them dared to question or approach her.
About an hour and many drinks later, Allison noticed Marcel walk through the front door with Klaus. That must have been where Klaus ran off to. She smiled widely as she stumbled over to them. Klaus saw her first and as she was approaching she tripped over her own feet. The hybrid's arms shot out and caught her before she made contact with the ground. Seeing the movement, Marcel looked over. He saw Allison and was immediately worried about the state she was in. He knew he should have checked on her or had one of his guys do it before he left the compound.
Klaus stood Allison up right as the vampire stepped to them. "Marcel!" Allison squealed drunkenly as she moved to hug Marcel, happy to see her friend, but fell in to him instead. He grabbed her waist and steadied on her feet, keeping a hand gently on her arm in case she decided to let gravity win and fall again. "What happened A?" Marcel asked, slightly amused at her drunken state as he usually was, but worried for her all the same. Allison giggled and pointed over at the bar, where the bartended was wiping off some glasses and a couple vampires were still congregating. She heard Klaus and Marcel both chuckle.
"I think we might call it a night." Klaus suggested. Allison yawned and nodded her head. Leaning her body against Marcel's side and leaning her head against his shoulder as the room started spinning.
"Yeah I should probably drive her home. Where did Cami end up going A?" Marcel asked with some discomfort. He actually liked the blonde bartender and didn't want him being distracted for the night ruin what they could have.
"She said she wanted to leave. Then left, she's probably back at home, but I don't know, my phone's dead." Allison said bluntly not being able to sugar coat anything as the alcohol was overpowering her. She frowned at the dead phone in her hand as Klaus and Marcel said their goodbyes and made their way out the front of the compound where a black escalade was parked.
Marcel led Allison over to the car and helped her in to the front seat. He started driving towards Allison's apartment which was just outside of the quarter, near Lafayette cemetery. "So what happened with your friend?" She leaned her cheek against the cool glass of the car window and watched the passing scenery.
"He betrayed me, my trust, my city, everything. He broke my number one rule." Marcel answered honestly, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel as he thought of Thierry betraying him.
"Which is?" Allison closed her eyes suddenly dizzy by the scenes passing her.
"We don't kill each other." He responded after hesitating for a moment.
"That sounds like a good one not to break. Are you going to forgive him?"
"Not right now."
"You know that you just lied to me, now I don't know what he did but if I can find some way of forgiving you for betraying my trust, then can't you forgive a friend too.". Marcel's grip tightened on the steering wheel, but he couldn't help the smile that came to his lips. She really brought out the humanity in him, but no matter how much he cared for him friend, he couldn't let his people see him weak. He didn't want to hurt Thierry, he understood that he was saving a girl he loved, but part of being a leader was making the hard decisions and he couldn't send the message that it was okay to kill one of their own guys, no matter what the circumstances were.
Marcel didn't say anything more about it, he just looked straight ahead at the road. He honestly didn't know what he would end up doing with Thierry, but whatever it was, Allison was not the person he would discuss it with.
"How much did Cami see?" He asked after a long moment of silence.
"Just an argument, she was confused but she saw that you were angry." Marcel sighed, he knew he didn't look like the best kind of guy when he had to deal with things pertaining to the supernatural community in New Orleans. "You could explain it to her, everything just like you did to me. That way she would know about everything." Then I could at least talk to Cami about all this craziness.
"No." Marcel responded immediately in a deep voice, the harshness scared Allison.
"But why?" Allison asked hesitantly.
"I like that she's not a part of any of this. I didn't want you to be a part of any of this. But you got dragged in to it because Diego was an idiot." He ran a hand down his face in frustration, before he turned to look at Allison, having stopped at a red light. "Sometimes its good to see the world the way the humans do, even if it is only for a few hours. She changes my perspective, makes me see the good in the world. You do too little A."
Allison just looked at him. She knew that she should be honest with her best friend, but if this relationship would make both of them happy, maybe she could let Marcel have some time and tell Cami on his own terms. "I won't say anything. But you have to tell her, otherwise eventually I will." As much as she wanted Cami in the know about everything, she didn't want her friend to be put in any sort of danger because of it.
Marcel nodded at her words as he arrived at Allison's apartment. She stepped out of the car and Marcel walked her in to the building, to the front door of her and Cami's apartment. After saying their goodbyes and making sure Allison got in to the apartment safely, Marcel made his way back to the compound, and Allison threw herself in to bed after letting the long dress fall from her body.
