4
"I think I was made to live in New York," Caroline says buzzing out of Bloomie's, eyes flashing.
"Baby steps, Sweetheart. Let's take this nice and easy, remember?" Klaus cautions.
"I mean, the stores are opened so late here. Now, how is that not a thing everywhere else in the country? And delivery service! How awesome is that?" she says, her elation bubbling over. "I can shop right before heading out for a late supper, dress up in the department store, and use their service to drop my bags and other belongings at the hotel. It's mind-blowing! My mind is blown, Klaus. I'm the happiest girl in the world tonight."
"Well, I'm glad I could help."
If you didn't know it, it would appear that Caroline knows her way around town given how she reaches for his hand, yanking Klaus as she leads the way.
"Be honest, were you bored in there?" she asks, her head tilted back to appreciate the concrete statures around her. "Klaus, look! Now don't you love the canopied entrances? I love them so much, and they really have planted a lot of trees in the city. I'm happy to see that."
"Hey," he interjects, pulling her closely, forcing her to pause. Caroline's chest hits the alcove of his.
She feels faint and flushed, skin and nerves tingling. She has such a desire to touch him—to run a fingertip across the stubble on his cheek and down to his chin. She doesn't know where to look.
"Caroline," he carries on, "there's no reason to rush, Love. We have time, and we can always come back for more. Let's just be in every passing moment. I know there's a lot to see but the beauty of it is, we have eternity to see it. You can enjoy this properly because you will be back."
She sighs, embarrassed. "I know. You're right. I'm sorry, but it's just so unbelievable. I don't know what I want to see first."
"You see first what comes along first," he tells her. "And, if there's a moment you want to stay in longer for, then we stay."
She smiles. "Your way does sound better," she says.
Promptly, Klaus cups his hand behind her neck. "I told you, take it from someone who knows," he says, his voice slithering in her ear, circulating around her head like a snake. Caroline feels dizzy—the craving aches.
She collects her wits. "So, where's this favourite restaurant of yours?" she asks.
"We can go tomorrow. As for tonight, we'll let whatever will be, be."
"So I got dressed in this little black thing for what, hotdogs and nuts?"
There's a subtle touch of sparkle to Caroline's new curve-hugging sweater dress. The long bell sleeves and cut-out V back come together for a party-perfect look.
"Always jumping to conclusions, Love. What will I do with you, Caroline?" he probes softly, the question dripping with sensual promise. Staring up at him she swallows. Klaus's gaze is hard and dominant. His smile is almost wicked, and she finds him sexy as hell.
Caroline tried to keep it in check, but her head swiveled from left to right at all the incredulous places and exciting names before finally entering a bar. It's not any bar, of course. Nothing's ordinary with Klaus, but it's a hidden pub from the Prohibition Era. She was skeptical about walking through a deli-slash-convenient store, but a narrow staircase and a secret brick opened up to a jazz quintet and signature cocktails.
"It's a speakeasy bar," Klaus explains. "These establishments sold alcoholic beverages illegally, and speaking quietly about such a place was common practice, as when inside, so as not to alert the authorities."
Caroline is familiar with both the term and the details of the time period, but Klaus seems to revel in sharing his knowledge, or at least he loves the opportunity to impart it on Caroline.
"Did you come here then, too?" she asked.
"Several times, yes."
"That must have been something—you being a vampire with your own secrets coming into another hush-hush community. Must have been thrilling."
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't." His mouth lifts slightly in a wry smile.
Caroline wonders about the escorts and company he kept then. If she had made an entrance here in the 20s, would she be worth his time? She hopes she would as she imagines Klaus approaching her, and she tilting her head back to see him clearly perhaps under a cloche hat. She hates stockings, but back then she expects it was customary. They'd be sheer and match the colour of her dress she assumes, and discovers fantasizing about a time she's never known rouses her. She's inspired and electrified, and the one to thank is sitting right across her, taking her in.
She peeks up through her lashes catching his lips twitch. Klaus looks ravenous and she's definitely feeling equally peckish. She's making a supreme effort not to let her fangs descend or her eyes darken. Caroline's slammed with the thought they're sharing a suite later, summoning all the willpower and self-control she can muster.
"I saw that," he says, chastising.
Damn.
"Why won't you listen to me? Bloody hell, Caroline, you're like a maddening child! You need to feed," he utters gravely. "Must you make me out to be so grim and unsympathetic?"
"I'm not doing that," she whispers harshly.
"YES," he bellows. "Yes, you are because every time I look out for you, you twist my concern to seem like I'm controlling your way of life, and that's not so. I happen to respect your decisions. I happen to admire you more than you possibly know, but you can't keep up this way forever."
"I'll be fine with a blood bag. It's been a few days is all. You said you brought some along, right?"
"Listen, sweetheart. There's a lot going on here, not to mention what's looming between us, and don't insult me by pretending that's not true. The emotions are high, the city is swarming—it's too much for someone as young as you to have the control you want to have."
"Again, that's not for you to decide, Klaus!" she says, quaking like a leaf.
"You're right, Caroline. It's not. But, if that look came across your face when a server was here at our table, or if somebody merely passed us by and looked your way, you'd be outed. Then what? You'd be afraid and have to compel the stranger, which would make you feel guilty, and add to the stress until somehow you lose control.
"How is it different, Caroline, for someone who let's just say for argument's sake, is a sworn vegetarian, but her choice lashes a catastrophe on her body. She becomes weak from iron deficiencies. Suddenly, anemia is causing havoc on her body. Sometimes, we just have to give in to our condition. We have a condition, Caroline, and you more than anyone deserves to live. Get what you need to survive, enough that you don't hurt someone in the long run or yourself."
Finally, glowering down at her hands comes to an end. She meets his penetrating stare and the impatience accompanying it.
"Is this your thing? Is this going to turn you on, me drinking out of a bag, or better yet, me into the neck of some innocent man?"
"To be frank, I don't want your mouth on anyone, Sweetheart. But, I happen to have a fresh cocktail in me that I'm willing to share. All you have to do is ask."
"You're disgusting."
"And you're glorious, and these temper tantrums, as much as they try my patience, because they do, Caroline, well you've met your match, Sweetheart."
"Why is it so important for you that I do this?"
"Because once you do, you'll see how the chatter becomes steady and well-adjusted. The aromas are distinguishable and not amalgamated as one entire stench. Your nerves will be pacified, and you won't be edgy or jumpy, like you yourself said you are, but instead guileful and truly in control. You balance out your emotions when you feed. It's not about killing. It's about staying strong to thrive in complicated and dangerous situations. It's about getting what you need. It's me making sure you are safe, Caroline. When will you get that in your pretty little head?"
"You are ruining a perfectly nice day."
Klaus powerfully glides closer to her at the centre of the U-shaped booth. "Because I saw you lose control right in front of me and I know that's something you work hard to keep. I'm fighting your fight whether you believe that or not, Caroline. I'm always on your side."
Caroline feels she's at the receiving end of a sucker punch. She gulps, drawing back dazed and affected, but his eyes implore.
"Okay," she murmurs. "Okay."
"Yes?" he asks.
"Yes, I should feed."
"Caroline… I… You won't regret it. I won't let you regret it."
"I know. I just worry because it's so… it's terribly intimate, Klaus," she slurs.
"You have nothing to worry about with me."
"I know that, too. Okay, let's do this, I guess."
"We'll merely be rectifying a status quo," Klaus goes on.
She scoffs. "Yeah, I guess that's one way to look at it. We're simply fixing a small situation."
"We're rectifying, yes."
"Whatever, Mikaelson. Give me your arm."
"There's always my neck if you prefer."
"No," she cries, wagging a finger at his lips. "That is just too close for comfort; way too close to your… face." Caroline reaches for the last ounces of a Pimm's Cup, swinging it back. "So, do these curtains close or what?"
Klaus glances nervously around the bar and shoots up to drag the drapes closed.
"Well I'll be damned, if it isn't Klaus Mikaelson." One-fifth of the quintet strolls in, extending an arm.
"Herbie Parker," Klaus concedes. "I didn't want to interrupt earlier, Mate. How have you been?"
"You know how it is, King. Just hanging around, minding my own, and doing my thing when folks let me."
King? Caroline's curiosity is piqued.
"And when they don't let you?" Klaus asks. Caroline catches a cynical smile when he cocks his head to the side.
"Well then I got to take things in my own hands, don't I," declares Herbie, releasing a row of hefty chuckles. "But you know, King, I don't look for trouble and usually it don't look for me, and I still got something to look forward to every time that sun rises," he says, bringing a trumpet to his heart.
"You continue to do well for yourself, Mate. I'm happy to see it, old friend."
"And old friend I definitely am, but your lady friend's a baby. Hoo-wee you're a young one. Herbie Parker, my Lady," he declares, reaching for Caroline.
Warily, she rises. "Caroline Forbes."
"I'm honoured to make your acquaintance, Miss Caroline. A young thing like you, maybe a little ruffled, but still… you're holding your own. Now that's rare. But best you get a stronger grip, Miss Caroline. Your whiff says paranoia all around it. Got to get that panic down a couple of notches.
"My whiff?"
"Herbie's a little rough around the edges, Love, but means no disrespect."
"Oh, no, Miss Caroline. You don't stink or nothing. You very fine indeed. But you're scent, you know… we all got one… it kind of reeks of spook and panic. Let me tell you something I'm sure our King here has shared if he's taken you under his wing: not every old geezer like me is nice like me. Some play and toy and come after the good ones. You a good one. Maybe you look like an easy fight, too. I know I did, but the King saved my butt and here I am today able to share what I've learned myself."
"Caroline's a friend of my sister's and what Rebekah couldn't complete, I jumped in to teach Caroline instead."
"Now that makes sense, King. How is wild Becky, anyway? You know, I was just thinking—you were always looking out for brunettes, and Miss Caroline's a southern belle if I ever saw one. See how many heads you turned around here when you walk in?"
Despite the compliment, Caroline feels like she was slammed into a wall, thinking about Elena and every other doppelganger before her. She trails off from the thought, unwilling to take it further, but the knowledge seeps through like hot poison.
"You remember right, my friend," Klaus commends, patting Herbie on the back. He awkwardly reaches over to connect with her through a glance, but immediately Caroline shuns it down.
"Are you originally from New York, Mr. Parker?" she asks, discounting Klaus's apprehension.
"No, Lady Caroline. I'm from Louisiana. But things got a little too crazy there for me. Kind of hedonistic if you know what I mean with all the vampire wars and witch wars and I just wanted out. I didn't want to be a part of something bigger. Just want to play my trumpet."
"Well, I happen to think that's mighty noble, Mr. Parker. That's very big of fact, you're an honourable man. Probably the biggest, most decent man in this place." She glares over to Klaus, and he scowls.
"All that's very nice, but those titles go to my king over here. Now let me go back there and bring you both something special."
"Herbie here has for decades earned a comfortable living from this establishment."
"One's gotta live, right, Miss Caroline?"
"Of course," she says. "To be honest, my eye caught the Gin Fizz on your drink menu. Can I try that?"
"Sure you may, and King, a Vieux Carré for old time sake?"
"Sounds perfect, Mate."
"You gotta come around more, King. Gives me the opportunity to look after you. How long you in town for?"
"I'm afraid I don't know."
"Well, if you still here tomorrow you come back tomorrow, right?"
"I'll certainly try."
"He so the man!" croons Herbie, dashing off.
Caroline assembles herself back at the midpoint of the nook, scanning the room just to buy time.
"I reckon you'll treat me to a silent treatment or a tantrum. For your information, I look forward to either."
Her browsing persists, eyes inconsequentially surfing the patrons.
"A silent treatment," he totes up. "I would have bet on the latter."
Author's Message:
I do hope somebody somewhere is enjoying this story. I was always a little bored and peeved to see Elena dip into various conversations and experiences, and so I sought a trip and the limelight for Caroline. I guess I'm finally remedying that situation with this tale. By the way, how are you liking it so far? Don't be shy to reach out. Feedback helps our craft. XO