Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries / The Originals, or any of the characters, plot-lines, dialogues from the shows or books
However, I do own Catherine Matthews/ my very own Katherine Peirce, her backstory, the storyline, and any additional characters that do not belong to The Vampire Diaries or The Originals. Characters in this story may not have the same opinion as you. These characters are all fictional.
"So, Blue or Red," I asked, holding up both of the dresses I brought for the ball in front of me.
"Red."
"Blue."
My jaw ticked at their simultaneous answers. "Alright! Just... get out. I am gonna call Caroline, "I said, pushing Stefan and Damon out of my bedroom as they protested the whole time.
I shook my head at the petulant brother and tried hunting for my phone. And I didn't have to search for it when I heard it ringing from under my pile of dresses I tossed out my closet. I scrunched my nose when I noticed it was an unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Katherine!" The husky voice on the other side exclaimed, "You know, I had half the mind you would've changed the number or at the least dropped your phone by now." And I could clearly identify the person behind the accented voice.
"Lucien?" I began confused at his sudden call.
"It would've really hurt my feelings if you didn't recognize my artistic voice," The cocky first sired vampire said into the phone.
"Are you calling to remind me just how narcissistic you are," I commented lightly with a snort as I looked in the mirror contemplating which dress I should wear for the stupid ball.
"Please! It's a fact that everyone knows. I don't have to publicize it personally," Lucien Castle said with a snort, "Anyway, do you by, any chance, know someone named Harald Ericson?" The elder vampire asked instead.
I looked through Katherine's memories trying to memorize any details about that particular name but came up with nothing, "Should I?" I inquired with a scrunched up face.
"He is the one and the only person that was ever sired by Mikael. The sire-line starts with Harald and ends with him," and that had my head whirling.
"I am sorry," I said, processing, "Are we talking about the same Papa Original, who has a particular aversion to the undead and likes to leave a trail of dead bodies where ever he goes and is known as 'The Destroyer?' Who I thought would've never sired a vampire?"
"The one and only," and I was sure Lucien is smirking right about now as he said that. "You see, Mikael owed his friend, Leif Ericson, a favor for the fact that Leif saved his life during one of their Viking raids. And so, years later, after Mikael became a vampire, Leif asked Mikael to turn the grandson he loved so very much... Harald, who was sick and about to die from a plague. And Mikael did do it on a promise that Harlad should never turn anyone in the future."
"Alright! Why am I getting this history lesson again?"
"Because a month ago, Harald died. He suddenly started vomiting blood and then desiccated right in the middle of a bar in Oklahoma," Lucien announced, and I knew where he was getting at. "According to my informers, he apparently died two hours after Mikael's death, which you had a hand in."
"So, my theory was correct," I said, "And my best guess is that you are calling me to say how thankful you are for saving Klaus's life, which in return saved, yours, mine, and all the people we know."
"Not really a call of gratitude," Lucien said, "But, a little birdy told me you have been searching for someone."
"What are you...stalking me now?" I said, lifting my eyebrow, knowing very well who he was talking about.
"I just like to know what's happening in our community," The French Vampire said casually, "The point is, I have connections global wide. I am willing to help you find this person you so very much want. Nadia, was it? I already have my people on it as we speak."
"What's the catch?" I asked as I kept all my attention to his words.
"Would you believe me if I said, it is out of the goodness of my cold dead heart," He said in a sympathetic tone. And all I could do was respond with a scoff, "Never."
"Good. I wanted to take your indirect help as a sign of goodwill, and believe you will help me with a tiny favor in future," Lucien drawled. "I assure you, it will be nothing drastic," he reassured.
I thought about it for a minute and found the deal pretty good since I have been coming up with empty hands when it comes to Nadia. And, if a 900-year-old vampire is willing to help, well, why not?
"Alright, Deal," I said with a sigh, selling my soul to the crossroad demon. "Just... handle with care, alright? That's my daughter you are talking about."
"You got it," and he hung up.
"I love your car," Caroline sighed, dreamily, as she got out of my Porsche dressed in the blue ballgown I lent her.
"Then get your own," I retorted, patting my burgundy designer gown, "Stop eyeing my baby like he is a half-dressed Calvin Klein model, will you?"
"Can I take him for a ride," Caroline asked instead.
"I think we should be pretty offended that you are checking out a car when we both are right here, looking extremely hot in these tuxedos," Damon said, posing for us to check him out.
"Hmm, pass," Caroline said, waving a hand at him and walked past him without another look, making me and Stefan chuckle.
"It's alright, Damon," I said, patting his shoulder sympathetically. "You are still beautiful in your own way."
"Is this some kind of revenge for coming along," I heard him asking over my shoulders in exasperation.
"And intelligent too," I added, loud enough for the brothers to here as I walked beside the blonde.
"Hey, I forgot. Where's your human boyfriend-slash-bus boy?" I asked. I haven't thought about Matt for a while now, considering he usually does something useless in the show most of the time.
"I broke up with Matt ages ago," Caroline said, in an 'are-you-serious' tone, "I told you about it too."
"Must've blocked out," I said, shrugging my shoulders, and when she looked at me accusingly, "You say a lot of shit," I defended, "It's hard to keep track."
"I guess," She waved it off lightly, "We haven't really talked since the funeral. I guess it has become too much for Matt to handle. Asked me to compel away everything about supernaturals. Like the rest of the town, he too believes Elena went for an exchange program to Canada." Caroline murmured the last part, still afraid to take her best friend's name aloud in front of Stefan.
But I knew Stefan is handling better. Seeing my face, daily, must've been more torture than hearing her name, and he's moved past that. Sure it took time, but he did. Which I was actually happy about...and shocked too, I guess.
I mean, never have I thought I would make my first, genuine friends in a fictional world. Much less with the people I wanted to manipulate and turn into pawns.
Hmm. The universe does work in strange ways.
"Are all these poor souls compelled to be here?" Caroline inquired softly, leaning close to me as she saw the guests standing everywhere with a glass of drink in their hands.
"I don't think they need to be compelled to be here, seeing they are dying to know who the new rich family in the town is," I responded as I gazed at all the eager faces in the room.
"Damon," I heard Stefan say beside me, as he signaled his brother to look at a familiar person in the room.
"Carol? What is she doing here?" Damon asked as he looked at his supposed friend.
"She is the Mayor," Stefan commented dryly. "Kinda mandatory."
"Wow, Stefan," Damon began sarcastically, "I would have never guessed if it wasn't for you."
"Well, someone should've brains in the family, right?" Stefan said, with a smile. An irked Damon just scowled at his little brother and made his way to Carol Lockwood.
I elbowed Stefan at his pettiness, "Is this some kind of payback for the Squirrel jokes he was making all day."
"I don't know what you are talking about..."
"Sure you don't," I muttered, looking around for the hosts of the party as I walked forward a couple of steps.
"I am gonna get a drink for both of you ladies," Stefan said as he slipped past us towards the bar counter.
"The stupid sparkling chandelier is enough to pay for all my student loans," Caroline said, looking up for a second towards the hanging treasure, right above us.
"You do know you are a vampire, right?" I commented, recounting her how easy it to get money through compulsion.
"I might be a vampire, but I am still scared of my mom," Caroline elucidated, "I don't want to get grounded."
"You are such a teenager..."
"Katerina," a voice interrupted before I could mock the blondie.
"Elijah," I said as my eyes landed on the Original in the suit, who now stood before me.
"And Miss. Forbes, is it?" He asked, peering at Caroline with a slight nod of his head in greeting.
"Yes," Caroline said, equally civil. "Thanks for extending the invitation to me and the Salvatores, Mr. Mikaelson."
"Elijah, please," Elijah began, "And it's not a problem at all. You are Katerina's friend," He then glanced at me and then back to her, "If you don't mind, I would like a minute with your friend here," he said to Caroline.
"Oh, Sure," Caroline said, immediately, "I will check on Stefan and Damon," and with that, she left us, giving me an apologetic, tight-smile.
I watched until she reached the bar-counter, where Stefan was just approached by Rebekah Mikaelson.
"Your friend will be fine," Elijah assured.
"Oh, I know that," I said, "Caroline is tough. She can take care of herself. That's the problem, actually. It is going to be chaotic if she and your sister were to have a staredown. They either click, or they will hate each other guts."
Elijah looked thoughtful at that, trying to decipher something, all by himself.
"Where's the Homecoming Queen, anyway?" I inquired, clearing my throat.
"I assume you are talking about my mother," Elijah said, lips twitching upwards a little as he adjusted his already adjusted cufflinks. "She will be here in a few minutes. As soon as we commence this ball." He paused for a second before adding, "I am glad you came."
"Told you, I would never miss an opportunity to tell how wrong you and Klaus are," I said, as I saw Klaus walking towards us from my peripheral view. "Speak of the devil..."
"Ah...Katerina, love," He said, the stupid outdated name rolling off his tongue. "How long has it been? A month?"
"It's Katherine," I made an attempt in correcting the two originals...again. "Just how hard is it for you both to spell Katherine?"
"It will take some getting used to," Klaus commented, making me roll my eyes.
500 years of murdering me inside your mind utilizing the name Katerina, will probably need a lot of getting used to.
"By the way," Klaus began as he fished his pockets, "Maddox and Greta made you this," he took out a bracelet and held it out for me, which I just looked with a raised eyebrow. Klaus, however, just rolled his eyes at my suspicious stare and hooked the thing around my wrist, ignoring my protest.
"It's for your protection," Elijah explained vividly, as I took my hand back from Klaus's grasp, "In case things with my mother don't go very well and if she most likely hexes you for something you said...or will say."
"Right...Just so we are clear, I am gonna come, haunt you, if I start vomiting blood and die," I said plainly, and Klaus rolled his eyes now.
Elijah looked down at his watch and whispered, "It's time." He glanced at his brother, who nodded and then me, "If you will excuse us..." with that, both brothers left me, not before Klaus spoke, "Save me a dance, will you?"
And I found myself in the company of Caroline and the Salvatores, again.
"I hate Kol."
"I hate Rebekah." Both Damon and Caroline said, simultaneously. Stefan and I looked at each other and shrugged. We are not going to touch that pile.
"Uh, if everyone could gather, please," Elijah addressed everyone as he stood on the steps, waited for his siblings to join him. Esther walked down the staircase just then and looked down at all the guests, her gaze settling at me a little too long.
Just, what are you cooking in your witchy oven, Esther?
"Welcome, thank you for joining us," Elijah continued, "You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's a tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance."
"Is she who I think she is?" Caroline murmured next to me as she saw Esther.
"Oh, yeah," both Salvatores confirmed.
"Tonight's pick is a century-old waltz," Elijah proceeded, "So, if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom."
Esther retreated back to whatever fancy hole she came from, and Caroline lent her hand to Stefan, who looked at her, hesitating to dance. "Come on. It's gonna be like the founder's party. Just a little less intense, plus with lack of spiking drinks with vervain and using me as bait."
Stefan rolled his eyes at Caroline's blatant attempt at guilt-tripping, and just gave her his arm. Damon wordlessly held out his arm to me, which I took because I just didn't want to stand in the corner of the room, looking out of place, after dressing up nicely.
"Did I mention how stunning you look in this dress," Damon said, once we began to dance.
"Twice now, I think," I said, "But if this is your attempt to get me to compliment your appearance, don't. You are not quite as hot as my baby."
"What's this weird fascination with a car," Damon pouted, "It's not even a classic."
"It will be. One day after a 100 years or so," I defended. He went to open his mouth, but I glared at him, "Another word, and I am gonna smash yours." That shut him up.
"By the way, What's this I heard about Bonnie's therapy sessions?" Damon asked as he twirled me in his arms, dropping the discussion about my baby.
"Oh, that," I said, realizing what he meant, "Caroline and Jeremy were spamming my phone about Bonnie's on-going depression, so I asked someone who can help her with it. Today was the first session. The rest depends on how it went today. If Mel thinks she can help, she will, otherwise we have to ask Bonnie to just run with it."
As the words left my mouth, Damon twirled me along with others in the room, and I landed in the waiting arms of Kol Mikaelson.
"Hello, Darling."
"Kol," I said in greeting, "I actually wanted to talk to you."
"Really?" Kol said, "If you want to express your undying love for me, then..."
"Do you perchance know an Immortal named Silas?" I interrupted the psychotic Original. "If you do, how willing are you to help me in my mission to stop him from raising and wreaking havoc on the earth?"
So, I am late. Kind of hard to write the story with all the work my tutors are giving. Though I will try my best to not take long. And the next episode is gonna be really long cause we have so many characters to interact with and, let's not forget Esther's part.
Anyway, how was it?