Chapter 4: Damon
It's strange, when you meet someone who you've never seen before. A person who just moved in, and shuts up when you ask them anything about where they used to live. And it's worse when they are beautiful. That's how it was like when I met Adelaide Pierce this morning. It was an official meeting. I saw her in the apple orchard yesterday, but today was the official meeting. My memory of meeting her, will stay vivid my whole life. I remember that the morning was warm and I finally felt that spring was going to begin. I stepped out of the Salvatore Manor, as my father called it. I think the name just makes him feel important. I walked down to the small pond, the slight wind battering gently against my ear. For even a slight wind, it was warm. Stefan had burst in my room, early before announcing that this day was a great one. He said spring was beginning and he made a comment about how spring was the season of new beginnings for everyone. I didn't want to laugh; I didn't have the energy or cruelty to do so. But Stefan was once again pushing to try and win a battle that had already been won. In fact all the soldiers had left the battlefield long before. I just shrugged off my annoyance with him, and got up to start my day. And what a day it ended up being....
As I walked around the small pond, I stopped my one end, when my eye caught two figures in the distance. They were coming towards the pond and they hadn't noticed or seen me yet. Many people never came to the pond anymore. It was one of those things that when it was in style people poured in, just to be near it. But Mystic Falls was growing into a livelier town and it had much more to offer than just ponds. So, it was typical for me to think it odd that anyone other than myself was coming to the pond. I hid behind a tree, wanting to see what these two people were up to. When people came into a view, I saw that they were two young women. And I realized I knew one of them. The one I knew, I had seen the day before. With her was another woman, about her age. I listened intently as they stopped at the creek, talking to each other.
"I don't know what to do, Emily," said the one who I had seen at the apple orchard. At the orchard she had looked happy and alive. Today she looked worried and afraid. I wondered how there could be such a drastic change in the same girl.
"Frankly, Adelaide, I won't lie to you...there is something to fear," the girl I assumed to be Emily said. The other girl or Adelaide looked at the water in the pond. She was staring at her reflection, frowning. She looked up at Emily and nodded grimly.
"I know Emily," she said, taking her friend's hand. "When you told me yesterday...I...I...figured that you felt something uneasy." Emily looked at Adelaide, giving her a small smile.
"Why don't we forget-," she cut off frowning. "Wait a minute." My eyes widened as I saw her make her way towards the tree, I was hiding behind. She came around the back and gave me a disapproving look. "As anyone told you it's rude to eavesdrop. Particularly on ladies. You're not even a child. Probably older than us." I had to admire her courage and at the same time I was surprised. I could have sworn I made not a single noise.
"Well, I usual come here. To attend to my worries," I said straightening out my jacket. "I just came here, and saw you two at the pond. I was just waiting." It was the safest answer I could muster, but as I expected she was far from convinced. She didn't say anything, though, regarding me coolly with her eyes. Adelaide came walking around the pond, to see what was going on. She saw me, blinking in surprise. I thought she was going to run quickly with Emily, but instead she advanced towards me. She had come up to where Emily was standing and was studying me intently.
"I know you," she muttered. Emily turned to look at Adelaide with creased eyebrows. "I mean, I don't know you. But I saw you...yesterday at the apple orchard."
"Yes," I said. "Damon Salvatore."
"Adelaide Pierce," she said extending her gloved hand. I took it in my own hands for a couple of seconds, knowing she was testing me. I dropped it then, and she recognized the movement with a warm smile. "Is the other man who was with you, is he..."
"My brother, Stefan," I grinned. "I daresay his manners are better than mine." She laughed charmingly.
"Quite the wit you are, Mr. Salvatore."
"Thank you. So, are you new around here?" I asked keeping my tone casual.
"Yes," she said, turning stiffly to Emily. They exchanged an unreadable glance.
"Might I ask where you came from?"
"I...nowhere interesting." I understood that answer as some form of politeness as to shut up and stop questioning. So I did, surprised at her odd change in behavior when I mentioned her previous home. "Well, good day, Mr. Salvatore."
"Good day to you too, Miss Pierce," I said frowning slightly. This time she did not extend her hand. She just nodded and rushed off, Emily at her heels. I frowned because there was something not right about her. I remembered the frantic conversation she had with Emily. I wasn't interested in getting involved, but I was interested in finding more about this new mysterious resident of Mystic Falls.