Warning: no spanking in this chapter, just references
*Delphine is an original character.
"Who are the hell are you?" Delphine heaved, almost running into Jeremy in the kitchen.
"Hello, I'm Jeremy. Who might you be?" Jeremy chirped, smiling at the little girl.
Delphine raised her headless doll to strike him with it, but Elijah vamped in and caught it.
Delphine glanced at the ancient vampire with distrust, but said nothing. She yanked her headless doll back and tossed it in the trash.
"Jeremy, please meet Mademoiselle Delphine Cloutier, a recent arrival from New Orleans. She will be staying with us. Delphine, have a seat at the counter," Elijah dictated indicating the closest child.
"Was she just going to hit me with that headless doll?" Jeremy asked Elijah, getting a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
"Yo, Jer, grab me one!" Matt yelled from the great room situated below.
"Matthew, Tyler, come meet Delphine," Elijah said pouring her a glass of milk.
"I don't do lactose!" Delphine spued pushing the glass away and almost knocking it down.
"Delphine, this is Tyler here with the dark hair. And Matt, please say hello," Elijah introduced. He quickly removed the milk and gave Delphine a bottle of water. She unscrewed it and took a drink.
"So is this like an orphanage for freaks or something?" Delphine accused looking up and down at Matt and Tyler.
"Ah, hi to you, too," Tyler said looking at Elijah in confusion.
Elijah laughed, "No this is not an 'orphanage' or any such thing. Why do you ask?" Elijah said checking the oven and looking back over at her curiously.
"It's pretty clear that none of these kids are related and this place is the size of a hospital. Not that I know what it looks like from the outside since I was brought in unconscious. Say, where is that lady who drugged me? I thought she was nice, but just another witch, I guess," Delphine shrilled, getting more angry with each word.
"Delphine, from what I understand from Marcel, your grandmother asked us to be your guardians to keep you safe. Other than that, I know nothing of your life or circumstances," Elijah said starting to make a salad.
"Well, for starters, I hate vampires. Nana says they are an abomination against nature, demons in flesh suits. I don't go to school, but have private tutors. I play the violin and I could burn all of you to cinders with my mind. More water, please," Delphine ordered, holding out her arm.
"On that note, I think we'll start to set the table," Matt said picking up a stack of plates and glancing fearfully at the red haired girl glaring at him.
"Thank you, gentleman," Elijah said as he chopped slices of cucumber and put them in the salad bowl.
"Delphine, my dear, this might come as a shock to you but you cannot burn my siblings or me to ash. Well, I suppose you could try to burn our eldest sister, Freya, but she is a witch like you and I would not suggest it. Some of us, may not mind if you tried on our eldest brother Finn, but in the end you would be disappointed. We are the Original vampires and we cannot be destroyed. Sorry to disappoint you. I would ask that you refrain from any acts of attempted murder because the boys are mortal. Now, I would like to hear more about your violin playing. Did you bring you violin with you?" Elijah coaxed.
"No," Delphine retorted.
"And why is that?" Elijah pressed her while chopping tomatoes into cubes.
"I got mad and hit someone with it. It broke," Delphine huffed.
"Ah, excuse me. Do you want us to put the bread out?" Tyler interrupted making a face after hearing how Delphine pummeled someone with a violin.
Elijah was about to ask if her grandmother taught her the violin, then he remembered hearing about how she was hexed with crippled hands. Those twisted swollen fingers haven't held a bow since.
"Yes, Tyler, that would be splendid," Elijah remarked. To Delphine, he lectured, "Well, that is not very nice."
"I'm not a very nice girl," Delphine smiled.
"You seem proud of that, my dear. In some places, not very nice girls and boys get their backsides spanked," Elijah noted.
"Yeah, that's illegal so I would just have them arrested, or I'd just fry them," Delphine said.
"Spanking a naughty child is not illegal in this house, young lady, so I suggest you behave yourself," Elijah stopped and looked at her a minute.
Delphine laughed and asked, "Yeah, right. Where's that guy who brought me her? The vampire boss?"
"Marcel? He's probably with my sister Rebekah. Are you hungry? We're having lasagna," Elijah said tossing the salad and setting it aside.
"I don't eat lasagna," Delphine said.
"Delphine, you can tell me what you like later and I will try to get it for you, but for tonight please try to eat something new. Okay?" Elijah smiled.
"No," she said simply.
"Then, you can go to bed hungry, though that would be a shame. Some people think I'm a decent cook," Elijah smiled.
"I thought vampires only drank blood?" Delphine asked with suspicion.
"We can eat and our hearts actually do beat, just much slower than humans. To survive, vampires do need varying amounts of human or animal blood. Does that upset you?" Elijah asked causally, as he took the pasta out.
"No, I think it's kind of cool. But Nana said that drinking blood is against nature," Delphine repeated.
"Yes, you mentioned that. Now my brother Niklaus and the others will be down soon. I think it best that you mind your best manners and do not threaten to incinerate anyone at the table. Do you understand me, Delphine?" Elijah asked carefully.
"Yeah, whatever," Delphine said tossing her water bottle near the trash and missing.
"You can pick that up and then we'll talk tonight. I'm going to clean up that broken glass in your room," Elijah said turning toward the room.
Delphine made no attempt to move to pick up the bottle. Elijah turned and crouched down to talk to her on eye level. He thought about what his parenting book would say, she wasn't a teenager, but he figured he would go with patience and understanding.
"I know this must be very hard for you. You don't know us, we are strangers, you are far from home. I will be here for you when you need me to talk or to help you with things. You have to cooperate from your end and do your part to help yourself. We'll talk more before you go to bed, but for now you need to listen. Put the bottle in the trash, please. I will not ask you again," Elijah said with a stern expression.
"Fine," Delphine muttered crossing her arms looking annoyed as the water bottle rose up and went into the garbage on its own.
Klaus found Marcel getting dressed when he came in.
"I thought I'd have to wake you up, you seemed exhausted," Klaus observed.
"I guess that little nap was just what I needed, hmm? I wanted to check in on the girl and I was hoping Rebekah was awake," Marcel said buttoning his shirt.
"I hope so. You know I'm going to have to have a little chat with her about a few things when she's feeling up to it," Klaus admitted.
"I figured. I'm not saying that she is without faults. I don't like it, but I know it's how you keep her safe. We've done some pretty dumb stuff in our time. I won't interfere," Marcel smiled revealing his white teeth.
"I know you said you were going to check on the girl, but I think Elijah is with her. I'm not sure what you think, but maybe it would be nice for him to have a child of his own," Klaus suggested.
"Honestly, Klaus, the girl seems like The Bad Seed. I think if you or Elijah doesn't take her in hand, we're gonna have to lock her up in the dungeon with Finn. Seriously, I may have been able to rule New Orleans, but I don't think I can handle that kid," Marcus admitted.
"Good. From what I overheard they seemed...well-matched. He always liked a challenge. How are you feeling?" Klaus inquired nervously. He hated it when his son was in pain, especially when he caused it.
"Well, this no-healing thing is pretty bad. I guess my butt hasn't stung this bad since Elijah caught Kol and me with those fancy ladies in the stables at New Year's. I think that was my last whuppin' when I was human, right?" Marcel said rubbing his behind a little.
"No, it was when you took off with that drunken pirate and I couldn't find you for three days. I took a riding crop to your britches right there on that dock. You were so angry after that you wouldn't speak to me for a week. I guess I thought you were finally too old for it. Then, what did you do? Went on got yourself killed," Klaus mused.
"I'm sorry I brought it up, but to answer your question, I'm looking forward to our healing being restored. I mean, you really lit into me with that brush," Marcel whined.
"Behave and that will be the last time," Klaus said walking out.
"I've heard that one before," Marcus retorted.
Dinner that night was a lively affair. Freya was still sleeping. Marcel and Kol were shifting painfully on the hard wooden seats and the boys were wondering what was with the new little red haired girl.
"So Delphine, tell us what you like to do for fun? Do you like sport? Dance? Do tell," Klaus said trying the lasagna.
"Divine, as usual, Brother," he said to Elijah who was pleased.
"Sorry, love, Delphine, you were saying?" Klaus prompted.
"I didn't say anything. Why do you talk so weird?" she groused.
"Well, I'm 1000 years old. Did you the word "cloutier" is French for nail? They used to get a rod of say, wrought iron. Then, heat it, hammer it to a point on one end and then flatten it on that other end," Klaus stated factually.
"You're weird," Delphine said.
"Ah, would anyone like more?" Elijah said loudly.
"Brother, I don't think the lass gives a fig about nail making. You're putting her to sleep," Kol chided.
"Well, Cloutier is her last name. I just wondered if her grandmother told her that is all," Klaus faltered. "I'm sorry, you're right. What is everyone doing tomorrow?"
"I think the weight room guy was bringing some equipment tomorrow morning, right? Maybe we can finally work out down there," Tyler said grabbing seconds.
"That would be awesome!" Matt exclaimed.
"Yeah, I just hope you two don't get muscle bound," Jeremy replied.
"Oh, you're working out with us, Gilbert. Believe you me," Tyler promised pointing at him with a breadstick.
"None of you, lads want to hit the Grill tomorrow? I think Bonnie is probably expecting me. I don't want to disappoint the ladies," Kol announced.
"Remember the new tutor is coming around noon. With Delphine here, his schedule will be rather busy. I will expect all of you to be here," Elijah cautioned.
"Not me, too, Elijah!" Kol drawled.
"Yes, Kol, I want you there. He is giving an assessment first to see your strengths and weaknesses," Elijah explained.
"Bloody hell, fine. I'll be there," Kol affirmed.
"Language," Klaus said eyeing Delphine.
"Don't worry about me. Swearing doesn't bother me. I swear all the bloody time!" Delphine boasted.
"See?" Klaus said to Kol.
"Aye, sorry. Delphine, don't take after me, love. Well, unless you want to be in trouble all the time," Kol smiled at her.
"Truer words were never spoken. If you will all excuse me, I'm going to go creepily watch over our sleeping beauty downstairs. Thanks, Elijah. It was excellent," Marcel affirmed walking to the door that led to the basement levels.
"What's down there?" Delphine asked.
"Nothing, just laundry and..." Klaus started.
"A few dungeons," Kol muttered.
"Kol, that is quite enough," Elijah scolded shooting daggers at him with his eyes.
Delphine squealed with laughter and the boys joined in.
"There's a weight room down there now, too," Tyler added, trying to be helpful, but everyone started laughing again.
Elijah helped put Delphine to bed in the guest room. He wanted to ask her about her special powers, but knew she was tired. Telekinesis was something he had never seen in someone so young.
"Boys, we'll clean up here. It's getting late. Why don't you go get ready for bed?" Elijah said waiting to talk to his brothers alone about Delphine.
"Kol, stay a moment please?" Elijah implored.
"I'm sorry, Elijah. I wasn't trying to be cheeky and I'm still sore as-"
"Kol, it's not that, in the kitchen earlier, Delphine levitated a water bottle and put it in the garbage. Have you ever seen telekinesis that strong?" Elijah asked with a frown.
Kol exhaled relieved that he wasn't in trouble and thought back, "Honestly, no. I mean I've seen it as part of spells and in certain states of emotion, but never just to move something without help. That would be something...very different," Kol attested, now frowning himself.
Klaus wondered, "Is she safe to have around the boys? What if she got angry and decided to toss them down the stairs? She could cripple someone."
"Perhaps that is why the witches wanted her dead," Elijah postulated.
"No, that's not it," Freya said from behind, "I think it is worse than that."
Kol said, "Woman, don't you ever sleep? You need your strength to help Rebekah."
"You're sweet, but I'll be fine. And that's "Sister" to you, Little Brother," Freya started, "I think Delphine might be the reincarnation of a witch of great power. There was a prophecy that if fulfilled, could destroy all nine covens in New Orleans about an evil witch born twice with all the sacred powers."
"What's the prophecy? I'm not sure I believe in all this nonsense. She's just a child, albeit a child who can levitate things and threatened to burn us all into piles of ash in causal conversation," Elijah stressed.
Klaus was alarmed, "She what? What the devil is going on?"
"I'm not sure anyone knows. The witches had to believe something very strongly to want to kill this witch instead of harvesting her power. I need to start training her," Freya begged.
"Let me help you," Kol said. "I may not be able to do magic anymore, but I've trained many witches in my time."
"No dark objects, Kol," Klaus warned.
"Nik, I've learned my lesson. You blokes can count on me. Sister, shall we get started?" Kol asked eagerly.
"Kol, it's time for bed. You know how you get when you are cranky," Elijah cautioned as he started slacking dishes in the dishwasher.
Kol's backside was still sore enough for him not to argue, though he was a little miffed about being sent to bed in front of Freya.
"Thank you, Kol. Yes, let's start tomorrow. I'm actually going to bed now, too. Good night," Freya said.
Klaus looked at Elijah and said, "What the bloody hell did we get into with this girl? If she is any threat to Marcel and the others..."
Elijah promised, "Let me handle her. A little patience, some discipline, some bonding, and boom, no more scary witch."
Klaus raised his eyebrows and started to help his brother clean up the dishes.
"She's all yours, Brother," Klaus confirmed.