Ch 14 Not gonna do it

Dinner overview:

As they waited for Rebekah and Klaus, Kol takes it upon himself to give Bonnie the grand tour leading them back into the living room right when Klaus closes the door coming in. He nods to everyone before the door opens again revealing Rebekah running into the back of Klaus' shoulders, "Sorry brother," is all she says as she removes her coat. They both join the rest of the family in the living room standing in silence until Rebekah greets Bonnie, before leading her way to talk about the décor before dinner. The four remaining head over to the bar once more for a drink before dinner, the maid comes in soon after to announce dinner is ready.

Finn asks her to hold off but to please inform Rebekah that she should come to the table for the discussion first. Rebekah with a rather annoyed look comes in sitting down at the left end of the table across from Kol and next to Klaus. The three stare at the standing older brothers before each set of eyes drift to the papers in Finn's hands. He hands them to Elijah who hands one to each sibling. It seems they are to be reprimanded for previous actions, before anyone can get chummy Finn says, "Please save all commentary until the end of the list." He's about to begin as the kitchen door swing open and Bonnie sits herself next to Kol, presumably because she came with him.

Kol moves his list over a bit to share with Bonnie whispering, "Were about to be chastised for our behavior." She smiles at his playful tone even though by the looks of his older brothers, it's no laughing matter. She moves in closer which is not missed by anyone at the table however no comment is made just eyebrows not that the two in question would notice. After a beat Elijah continues for Finn, "As we were saying, there are rules of conduct which expect you all to follow through on, please turn the cover page so we can begin." Finn and Elijah watch as their younger siblings break out in laughter, "you can't be serious?" comes from Niklaus as Kol buries his head in Bonnie's shoulder trying to refrain from commenting. Rebekah gives them a blank stare, "Rules. Goodie for me." Elijah walks around giving Niklaus the stare down of his life before propping himself on the table by him and Rebekah. "Please continue with rule one Finn."

Finn reads the first four with interruptions' as so:

Rules for event:

1) Applies to all parties: Must be early and dressed in formal black tie attire. No clown noses. (Autumn '02)

Kol looks up with a pout on his face looking straight at him his eyes saying please. Finn swiftly says "No." before continuing with rule two.

2) Applies to all parties: Must only consume three glasses of alcohol. (You remember the spring of '08 being the reason for it. You will submit to a breathalyzer test if need be.)

"This goes for all three of you, especially you Niklaus I do not want your alcoholic ranting in front of people we do not know." To which Klaus responds, "So stop inviting them." Giving each other glares from across the room before hearing Bonnie giggle at the situation. Elijah clears his throat breaking their eye-battle saying, "Enough."

3) Applies to all parties: Must come accompanied by significant other/dance partner, said sig/nif. must also be in black tie attire.

"That one was kind of obvious old boy." says Kol standing to pat Finn on the back before he swatted his hand away. Rebekah chuckles at the interaction.

4) Applies to all parties: Must dance at least three songs, partner being as you so choose.

He walks toward the window as he says this tripping when Kol sticks out his foot and Rebekah interjects, "Brother sit down before you hurt yourself." Elijah shakes his head continuing as Finn finds his footing.

5) Applies to all parties: Must make a toast. Short to the point. No jabs at anyone.

Looking pointedly at Kol and then towards Niklaus before continuing with, "I have written them for you, you will be receiving a card beforehand, follow to the word." He looks again in between both his brothers.

6) Applies to all parties: No disappearing acts amongst you, sneaking upstairs or out into the balconies with any guests at any time. If you are caught you must donate to a charity of the one who caught you. Also no roof scaling. (Fall of '89)

"That goes for all three of you, I do not wish to embarrass you in front of your little friend but you need to not run off Kol. Niklaus clearly you have not been jumping roofs for some time but I felt it was important to bring up that neither of you all are children anymore so do not at like it tomorrow evening." He sees them all roll their eyes faces reading, 'stop treating us as such then.' He continues however, "Rebekah, no sneaking off to the balconies I really would hate to walk into that again." She blushes at the memory.

7) Applies to all parties: No bickering, provoking, shenanigans, jokes of any nature, or ridicule of guest you don't like. (Especially with Mikael because or in spite of.)

"No tag teaming, no ploys, no pinning guests' against each other for your amusement and absolutely no jokes on father, is that understood?" They sullenly nod at him.

8) Applies to all parties: Must greet father and talk with him for at least three minutes to keep up appearances' amongst the guests.

They all fall back into their chairs simultaneously as Bonnie gives him an incredulous look. Finn says, "just stand with him, if you have to. Do not let him provoke you. Talk to his new lady friend if you must but smile throughout the ordeal." Another nod from the room, Finn continues.

8) Applies to all parties: Keep Mikael and Niklaus away from each other after Rule 8 as listed above. (Top Priority)

"Everyone is on duty for this one, Rebekah as much as you possibly can keep father content without killing his date." She nods crossing her arms saying, "Fine, but I can't promise anything on the second half she will be staying for a while after." Elijah nods in agreement saying, "That leads us to rule ten."

9) Applies to all parties: No confrontation is allowed in any situation, handle with grace above all.

They all give a slight nod, knowing better than to argue with this one.

10) Applies to all parties: No tantrums of any nature toward those employed for the evening nor the guests that you have personal vendettas with.

Rebekah gasps as all eyes turn to her, blushing in her seat before turning to Nik, "Well what about him that one year the bloody waitress spilled wine all over my dress?" "That was you." Nik says quietly recalling the event. He was just standing by her.

11) Applies to all parties: Mingle amongst the guests. No sulking in the corner. (Every party ever)

Moans are heard out into the parking garage where the staff is putting things away for the mornings set up. They shrug before locking up and leaving the Manor.

12) Applies to all parties: If a date cannot be present for the event please notify Rebekah so she can inform the wait staff to remove their place settings for dinner.

Rebekah agrees with this nodding as she looks around planting her eyes on Bonnie, "I presume you'll be seated with Kol this time around. You are his date are you not?" Bonnie looks at her not knowing what to say as Kol leans over the table looking at Bekah's growing grin. "Yes, she will be. Thank you for your concern dear sister." Bonnie looks at Kol still speechless as Finn continues glazing over the awkwardness.

13) Absolutely no one goes home with a guest unless it is your date. No switching and absolutely no coitus in the Manor while Mikael is in town. (You know who you are, Summer '99)

"Who is it?" asks Kol. Everyone shifts from their positions but him and Bonnie looking at anywhere but him. "Continuing." Klaus says, those being his first words since this started. "Yes. Let's. Flip to the next page please." Elijah reads.

Rules for Niklaus:

1) No overindulging on liquor. (You will be cut off.)

Niklaus groans, swearing once more under his breath as his sister giggles beside him at his reaction. She whispers, "No sweat, brother I'll get you a nice flask." He thanks her placing his hands together pointing at her like she's a god's sent.

2) No mental daggers at Mikael from across the room. (Yes, people notice.)

"I mean it." His older brothers say in unison.

3) No scaling roof tops in an attempt to show off especially with Kol. (Autumn '92)

"One more, please do not try climbing up anything or sliding down the staircase, I forbade you to." Nicklaus wants to say something, they can all tell there's a vein popping out of the side of his head and his jaw looks like it's set in stone but he stays quiet as he gestures for him to continue.

4) No sulking, smile at all times.

Kol says, "This is a good example of what not to do tomorrow." Before he finishes both Bonnie and Klaus hit him, Bonnie on the arm while Klaus kicked him under the table.

5) Mingle, Mingle, Mingle! (We will find out.)

"Please." Is all that is said before the last rule is listed.

6) No charms on unsuspecting females not your date/dance partner.

"I think I'll be fine, though I'm not sure I will have a date as usual Rebekah." He turns the page along with the rest of them as he says this.

Rules for Kol:

1) Date must be respectable, no escorts or girls in that black book taped to the back of your dresser drawer. (Yes we know it's there, what are the stars for?)

Bonnie having seen his taste in dates before, puts a hand to her mouth nodding in agreement trying not to laugh at him in front of his family.

2) Must be on best behavior, attentive to date/dance partner, family members and guests.

"Well I guess that's you then Bonnie, wait until you see this. Maybe you won't laugh then." Klaus throws a spoon at his head.

3) No insults, insinuations, innuendo, jokes of any nature especially regarding the family. (Basically be you before fall 2007.)

Bekah snorts rather unattractively, "I'd like to see that, bets anyone?" Klaus shakes her hand nodding, "I give him two hours." Rebekah laughs "Twenty minutes."

4) Rules will be changed if the occasion calls for it but until then pretend to be an upstanding citizen. (Also to change the rules you must get all three siblings to agree.)

They all nod as Kol shakes his head.

Rules for Rebekah:

1) No temper flares with a guest, over décor or over impatience with a situation.

Rebekah stands to defend herself before Elijah also stands to silence her back into her seat. It works rather affectively sitting closer to Nik than she was before.

2) No hovering over the family, mingle!

She silently whimpers as she nods.

3) No overbearing action towards family date/dance partner. (Especially Mikael's.)

"That means no muttering under your breath and also goes under provoking the staff to do your bidding in the next rule." says Finn from across the table before finishing the last two rules.

4) No ordering around date to do your bidding, Stephan can only ask otherwise you have hands. (Every party ever)

She nods once more deciding against words this time, silent treatment is scarier.

5) No storming out. You leave when the last guest does. Wear comfortable shoes. (Summer '04)

Nodding once more at her brothers, Nik shifts his seat over a bit not liking her this quiet. The next and last page has one sentence and it reads:

If you disagree with rules please notify us but recognize that we don't care. That is all.

They all look up at him, Kol stands walking toward the kitchen to call the maid to serve dinner saying, "We get it, it's your party. You'll whine if you want to." Klaus let a chuckle lose as Rebekah cracks a small smile.

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