Marcel and Klaus looked at each and smiled knowingly as they saw a small crew of workman repairing the wall that Marcel had punched a hole in a few hours earlier. Elijah could not wait to get it fixed apparently.
"Not surprised at all," Klaus remarked.
"I should have been the one to take care of. I'll go talk with him now-if he even will see me," Marcel lamented, not blaming Elijah if he was too busy to listen to Marcel's lame excuses.
"He'll listen to you, Son. He always has. I'm going to see what the lads are up to, they have been awfully quiet today. You okay?" Klaus asked.
Marcel glanced at the workers and nodded.
Just walking down the hallway slowly in this tight trousers made his backside feel scratchy and raw. Marcel was going to beg Freya to never make that anti-healing crap again.
Marcel found Elijah in his bedroom with the door open meticulously folding clothes. His television was on and it was tuned to Murder She Wrote. Elijah chided the boys for watching so much tv, but Marcel had to chuckle at Elijah's selections. That's interesting, Marcel always suspected Elijah had used one of those plastic folding things for the t-shirts and towels, everything was always too perfect. There it was, sitting on the coffee table.
"Hey," Marcel said leaning against the doorway, glancing at the plastic folding guide.
"Hello, Marcellus. It's called a folding board. They gave it to me for free at the dry cleaners, since I was such a good customer," Elijah smiled kindly as if no words had been crossed between them.
"Can I-?" Marcel indicated that he wanted to shut the door.
"Of course," Elijah said continuing to fold.
"Thanks. I wanted to apologize for earlier. I'm sorry. I was rude and insolent. Klaus was very...disappointed in my behavior and made that clear. That's not why I'm here, though. You didn't deserve what I said to you and I hope you can forgive me," Marcel concluded trying to look at Elijah.
"Marcellus, I appreciate that. I do, however, feel that it is I who owes you an apology. I was short and dismissive of you. You were right to accuse me a while ago of always seeing you a boy. I do sometimes, though you are 200 years old. But you are a man and you should be able to make your own decisions, but I'm afraid that is a luxury we don't always have in this family," Elijah noted, stopping his chore for a moment.
"Thanks, Elijah. My dad also talked to me about staying until things calm down. I agreed. He said I can learn more of the family business, which I wouldn't mind doing. If you don't mind me getting in the way," Marcel grinned.
"Of course not, you were always so quick a learner. It was...hard for me to pull away from you those many years ago," Elijah now looked down. He saw himself teaching Marcellus Hamlet. What fun they had had! Another story about a prince, albeit a doomed one.
Marcel saw the distress on his face and went over to him. Elijah took a moment, stood up, and embraced him.
"Thank you, Marcel. I don't think Rebekah is ready to leave right now. But I promise you someday, I will do everything I can to give you two the life you have always dreamt about, no matter what," Elijah said appreciating the fact that Marcel decided to stay and why Elijah had turned his back on him years past. Elijah had always put Klaus first and Klaus needed to be Marcel's only "Papa", so Elijah did what he did best: sacrifice, protect, and clean up.
"Am I trying seeing this for real or is this a mirage?" Klaus pondered.
Matt, Tyler, and Jeremy were doing their tutoring work on the table.
"We're almost done, Dad. I was going to go lift next," Tyler mentioned erasing something.
"Tyler, please make sure you never lift alone. That can be quite dangerous, I hear. Muscle failure and all that. I can hire you a trainer anytime, if you just let me know ahead," Klaus remarked.
"Dad, I'll be fine. I've been lifting for year," Tyler retorted.
"It's okay. I'll go with him," Matt promised. "I just don't know if I am going to want to you know push it today. I'm already feeling a heck of a burn already." Matt smiled and rubbed the seat of his pants. It felt a little warm and itchy, but he was pretty much back to normal.
"Well, behave yourselves and none of you will ever have that issue again. Jeremy, want to paint later?" Klaus questioned the brown haired boy.
"Sure, Bonnie said something about coming over later. I think she wants to talk to you guys and Freya about something," Jeremy remembered.
"How about we all stay around the house tonight? Maybe for the next few days even. I'm hearing that these hunters may be a bigger problem than we thought," Klaus cautioned.
"No problem, Dad," Tyler promised.
"Remember, gentleman, your safety is my first priority," Klaus said walking out.
After Klaus left and was well down the hall, Jeremy whispered, "So then I guess we're not even going to ask about the party?"
"Ask? You heard the man. The answer would be no," Tyler said bluntly.
Matt suggested, "Maybe if we asked Kol, it would be okay. He might scare off all the girls, but man, I don't want to miss this party. You do it every summer. It's tradition."
Tyler went on, "Caroline did tell me she can get us this new drink called Four Loko. It's supposed to really put the girls in the mood."
Jeremy considered it and said, "Cool. I'm in."
Tyler always hosted a party on his family's property. There was a swim hole there. His parents were always a little iffy about it because they were worried that someone would get hurt and they would be liable. Tyler tried to keep it pretty chill, only inviting a small group of friends and some guys from the team. If he didn't do this summer, people would think he was going soft.
Elijah had been watching a good deal of American television. He preferred British shows and Masterpiece Theater, and of course a decent murder mystery, but he wanted to learn more about typical family life. He saw a tv family hosting a barbecue and thought they should have a cook out on their own. Marie and the boys deserved a touch of normalcy, although the threat from the hunters in town seemed real.
Freya and Marie made potato salad and fries. Rebekah and Marcel were in charge of the grill. Elijah was cutting a watermelon and Kol kept rolling his Elijah's apron which read, "Kiss the chef!" Kol helped where he could, but was a little lost in the kitchen. Klaus and Jeremy were still painting or sketching or whatever they did.
"It's almost ready. Kol can you call Niklaus and Jeremy please?" Elijah said putting raw hot dogs and hamburgers on a plate.
"KLAUS! JEREMY! DINNERRR!" Kol shouted loudly.
"I could have done that myself. Go get them, please," Elijah said handing the tray of meat to Marcel, who came in from outside.
Everyone was getting the food on the table and sitting down on a long table outside when Matt and Tyler came home from their first football practice dripping with sweat and dirty.
"Boys, you should have showered before dinner. I know this is casual attire, but really," Elijah scolded lightly.
Matt sheepishly grinned and easily apologized, "Sorry!"
Tyler sniffed his arm pit and snarked, "I'm wearing deodorant, for God's sakes!"
Klaus was busy helping Marie try to get ketchup out of the glass bottle. Marcel suggested he use a knife to try to ease the process.
"You know that only masks the stench, right, mate?" Kol said trying to figure out the purpose of the sharp little knives.
"It's not our fault we got out late," Tyler mumbled under his breath.
Jeremy said, "They're for the corn on the cob so you don't get butter on your hands." Jeremy showed him his corn holders and how they worked.
"Ah, thanks," Kol said jamming them into the corn before rolling the ear in butter.
"This from a guy who doesn't know how to eat corn! Can someone pass the relish?" Tyler scoffed.
Kol threw a quick glance at Klaus to see if caught this exchange but he was distracted by spooning baked beans onto his plate. The Originals had never eaten fare such as this, but they wanted to give everything a try. Klaus was much better at compelling a four or five star chef to cook for his events, rather then to try to throw together anything himself.
"Marie, how are you adjusting to our little home here, dear?" Klaus asked eating his cheeseburger. Marcel a pro on the grill, he had to admit.
"Good. I just wish I could see my grandmother, though. She told me that I could get a doll house," Marie said dripping ketchup all over her white blouse. Freya tried to wipe it off, but it just smeared more.
"I'll soak it later," Elijah assured her.
"We can get you a lovely dollhouse. We could even build one together. What say you?" Klaus asked the small red-haired beauty.
Marie nodded yes excitedly.
"Isn't her grandmother d-" Tyler started to say dead, but Freya cut him off and said, "Yes, she's in New Orleans, Tyler."
Now, all the adults, except for Kol were glaring at him.
"Tyler, you seem rather on edge tonight. If your workout didn't didn't settle you down, perhaps we can have a chat about it later. I would hate for you to have to miss the delicious pie your uncle labored over," Klaus threatened in a serene voice.
"I did make the crust myself, but the ladies peeled and cored all the apples," Elijah added.
"Do you understand me, Son?" Klaus pressed starting hard at Tyler.
"Yeah, I get it," Tyler grumbled.
"Good," Klaus said not wanting to ruin the dinner that everyone had worked so hard to make a nice time for everyone.
Tyler rolled his eyes, Matt could see him becoming more irritated by the second.
"That was very nice everyone. We should do this every week. I do think that since we don't have a maid that paper plates would be a good option, though," Rebekah suggested starting to take in the dirty plates.
"I see several 'dish washers' sitting right here in front of us. How about we'll clear, y'all wash and dry?" Marcel suggested as the boys grunted consent.
As all the adults, except Kol, started to clear the table and bring out the watermelon and the pies Elijah made, Matt caught Jeremy's eye. Tyler was sitting in between the two of them. As Tyler was gulping down his post-workout Gatorade, Matt took his discarded hotdog out of the bun and threw it on Tyler's lap.
"Look Jer, it's Tyler's mini weiner," Matt burst out pointing at Tyler's lap. The ketchup and mustard had stained his shorts. The severed hotdog rolled in between Tyler's lap comically.
Jeremy laughed and covered his face, "Dude, stop."
Kol glanced in the house and said, "Stop it, you bleedin' idiots."
Marie laughed and said, "You called them bleedin'!"
"I'm sorry, love. They are very silly, are they not?" Kol said smiling at Marie several seats down from him.
"Think that's funny, Jer? Matt, you're an asshole," Tyler said kicking Jeremy's chair and swiping the hotdog to the ground.
Matt was now laughing hysterically.
"Sorry, man. Shit, I mean, stuff like that used to make you laugh," Matt chortled, breaking down again. Jer was also laughing harder now and looked against at Kol who was shaking his head.
"Freakin' moron," Tyler said shoving Matt off his chair.
Kol vamped over to see if he was okay.
"Settle down, lad. This isn't going to get you anywhere you want to be, ya hear?" Kol said sternly to Tyler, who was still glaring at Matt.
Rebekah came out to get more dishes and asked what was happening.
"Fuck you, Kol. Don't come over here and act like my old man. You're a screw up," Tyler sneered.
Kol's fangs started to come out and he was able to grab Tyler by the shirt and toss him across the yard about 20 feet. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Marie and took a breath.
"The old me might have retaliated. The new me is telling you to go inside and don't come out until you can calm now," Kol said in a serious tone.
Freya came out, "Kol, is everything okay? Matt, why are you on the ground?"
"I think Tyler here needs a, what do you call it, time out. But he doesn't seem to want to listen," Kol said evenly.
"You and Freya can go back to hell or where ever you came from," Tyler shouted.
"Tyler, go wait in Elijah's study. NOW!" Freya demanded.
Everyone was surprised and looked at her in shock.
Tyler stomped into the house and took himself to Elijah's study.
Everyone filled Freya and the others in on what happened. Klaus was going to go deal with it.
"Niklaus, can I speak to you alone?" Freya asked pulling him aside for privacy.
"Of course. I'm sorry if he was disrespectful to you," Klaus begun.
"No, it's fine. I've been thinking of this since I found that wolfsbane and we learned about the hunters. You know it's almost the full moon. I know that is part of it. I have some ideas for herbal remedies that may help Tyler. I did want to talk to him, though, because one is made out of the actual wolfsbane and it's going to burn," Freya explained.
"Sure, can you wait until after I thrash him within an inch of his life?" Klaus asked with his eyebrows up.
"Actually, if they are ever going to respect me as their eldest aunt, let me deal with him. After all, he tell me to go back to hell," Freya reasoned.
"You certainly have my permission to discipline any of them as you see fit. I trust you, Sister. However, Tyler is strong and I'm not sure he will submit to your authority easily," Klaus admitted.
"How about I just have a talk with him and if he still gives me attitude, I give him a few crisp swats with Elijah's cutting board. That should do the trick. If he can cooperate, all will be forgiven. He can make his amends and make it back in time for pie," Freya explained.
"Well, you have worked wonders with Marie this week. I am happy to support any punishment you deem fit for him whether it be that nasty cutting board or scrubbing toilets. I really thought he was going to let Marie know about her grandmother's death. We need to tell her soon," Klaus said sadly.
"I know. We'll worry about that next," Freya said kissing Klaus on the cheek. "Thank you for trusting me."
Tyler said on the leather couch and was bouncing his knee. Then, he paced around the study. Is that a paddle sitting on the desk? What was with this family? Jeez, can't someone have a bad day without-
"Tyler, hey, have a seat," Freya said sweetly breezing into the office.
"Look, Freya-" Tyler started stopping when he saw her expression.
"Try again," she scolded.
"Aunt Freya, I'm sorry about the scene out there...," Tyler sat heavily on the couch and put his head in his hands. He became too overwhelmed with emotion to talk without crying, so he just sat there helplessly.
"Tyler, you realize the full moon is in two days, right?" Freya said sitting down next to him.
"No, I kind of blocked out the wolf thing. If it wasn't for the dreams, then I probably would have," Tyler choked out getting control of himself.
"Dreams?" Freya pressed.
"They are getting worse. A few times my Uncle Mason or my father was talking to me, telling me things about the Lockwood family, the property, caves, but when I wake up, I don't remember it clearly. Sometimes hunter are chasing me. Sometimes I'm the wolf and I am..." Tyler stopped.
"Tyler, you can tell me? It's okay," Freya comforted.
"I'm hunting. Tearing into my prey, ripping it open. Sometimes it rabbits, but other times it's...vampires," Tyler spat out ashamed. In the dreams when he hunted, he felt free and alive. Instead of feeling angry, he felt, free.
"It's okay, Tyler. We're going to help you. I think I can make a bit of a potion or medicine that can help you with these mood swings. I am going to need your help with the dosage. Some of it will burn because I think in order for it to work, it needs to be distilled from wolfsbane. So some of this may be unpleasant. It may burn and you actually might feel worse for a while," Freya speculated.
"Aunt Freya, the truth is, I've always been kind of a dick my whole life. I used to bully other kids for fun. I used to brag a lot because I was rich and my dad was the mayor. I sucked up to my coached but rubbed it in the faces of the other team members that I was a better player. I know some of this is the curse, but some of it isn't. Christ, I even swore in front of Marie today like ten times. Can you help me with that?" Tyler asked hopefully.
Freya stood and picked up the wooden paddle on the desk, "I think that is where this will come in handy." Freya ran her finger down the blade.
Tyler gulped, "You're going to hit me? With that thing?"
"I found it in the kitchen. It's a cutting board, or was. But maybe you're right? We might need something of more substance if this is going to work," Freya muttered thinking.
"Substance, Freya? I mean, Aunt Freya, what are you talking about?" Tyler said getting up and joining her near the desk.
"I think if I give you a strong herbal elixir, and match that with a routine physical punishment this may work together to negate your innate werewolf aggression. Tyler, your werewolf side is fighting your human side for you to trigger your curse. Once I get anchored in a coven, I can also do a spell that could help, but right now...I'm afraid this is all I have," Freya admitted.
"So the shitty way I act isn't my fault?" Tyler said triumphantly.
"Oh, sweet boy, I didn't say that. A good deal of your little tantrum tonight was completely your fault. Shall we take care of that now?" Freya said clearing books off of the desk.
"You c-can't. Come on. Can't I have another chance?" Tyler whined wishing that he had taken a shower after practice like they were supposed to. He and Matt had snuck out early to get to dinner.
"I promised your father I will deal with this. Do I need to get Kol to hold you down? I'm sure he would do that with great pleasure. I always thought we could get out there in time for dessert. Bend yourself over please. Grip the other side of the desk," Freya demanded.
Tyler's face was flushed and he felt faint. He knew she was technically his aunt but to have to be punished by a girl who looked only a little older than him was the worst. No, Kol holding him down would probably be worse.
Tyler took a deep a breath and did as she asked. His backside was in a perfect position for her to "discipline" as she saw fit. He was wearing the gray sweatpants he had worn to practice.
Freya lined up the blade of the short wooden board on the seat of his pants.
"Tyler, tell me why you are bent over Elijah's desk right now about to get spanked," Freya said, now tapping him with the paddle.
"I had an attitude at dinner," Tyler answered glumly.
Whack! Tyler felt almost nothing through his pants.
Whack!
"You're not feeling this are you?" Freya sighed, pushing back her blond bangs.
"Honestly, no," Tyler affirmed.
"I'm sorry but pants down, you can leave up your under-" Freya said yanking down his sweats to see Tyler was only clad in his athletic supporter.
"Ah, yeah, it's what we have to wear so now you're looking at my bare-" Tyler muttered.
Crack! Freya smacked his bare buttocks hard with her hand leaving a red hand print behind. The straps of the white elastic encased his backside nicely for her. She was tempted to swat him again, but just the one whack stung her hand.
"Watch that mouth," Freya cautioned. Picking up the paddle again. Maybe she should have listened more to Klaus, she wasn't sure she could do this.
"Sorry," Tyler yelped.
"Okay, let's try this again. These straps do provide me with a nice target. Shall we?" Freya said, lining up for her next swing.
Pop!
The wooden blade cracked down on both of Tyler's checks. Now that smarted. He clamped his mouth shut and steeled himself to not move.
"Do you really think this is going to help me stop from triggering my curse?" Tyler gasped.
"Oh no, this paddling is for your poor behavior at dinner. Cursing, kicking, pushing, and yelling," Freya reminded Tyler.
Crack! She targeted his right cheek. That elicited a hiss from him.
Whack! Left cheek. Tyler shifted a little to ease the sting.
Smack! Smack! Two hard ones on his sit spots.
Tyler raised his head a little. He bit his lip hard to avoid moaning but did stomp his feet. Anything to stop that stung.
"What are we learning here, honey?" Freya asked pausing and rubbing his behind with the paddle.
"That you're stronger than you look," Tyler quipped breathing a little harder.
Whack. Whack! Those struck him on both checks and he let out a small yelp of pain to his dismay.
"Wrong answer. Keep still or you will have an audience for your spanking. I might even let Kol give you a whack or two for the sass you gave him tonight. I know you don't want anyone else to see you in that thing. Try again," Freya said lifting the paddle again.
"It's an athletic supporter. *CRACK* Sorry, okay, um. T-that I need to be better and I should tell everyone that I'm sorry. Also, that I need to make sure I don't h-hurt anyone...and turn," Tyler said with emotion.
Crack. Crack! Crack! Freya slammed the blade so both of his cheeks would feel the impact of the paddle.
Freya was done, she put down the paddle and smoothed her hand over his reddened cheeks. A part of her wasn't sure if he couldn't use a few more swats, but she had lost her will.
"It's over. You're all forgiven. All done, k.?" Freya whispered.
She heard Tyler moan and shift. She steadied him with her left hand.
"I don't want to be a werewolf," Tyler whispered as he let his body relax. His backside was smarting and burning in a few spots, but he had had worse.
"Tyler, I will do everything I can to help you. You're my family now. I love you. We all love you. Come on, hon, let's get these pants up," Freya said gently pulling his sweats over his stinging bottom.
Tyler had a few unshed tears in his eyes. The spanking had stung but was more humiliating than anything. Yet when Freya pulled him to her, the shame melted into relief. She squeezed and felt the tension in his back. She rubbed her hand up and down it and knew she was running out of time. The inner wolf in him was snarling. Her hand dropped to his backside and she gave him a light smack to his right cheek.
"I'm going to start working today and hopefully I'll have something solid you can try tomorrow. You're alright," Freya said pulling back and looking at him.
"Thanks, Aunt Freya. I'm going to try real hard. You'll see," Tyler promised rubbing his cheeks unconsciously.
"I know. And Tyler, don't forget to take a shower tonight!" Freya said putting everything back exactly where Elijah had it, including the paddle. She would talk to Klaus about making something with a bit more of a bite to it. They would need it, if her plan to save Tyler was going to work.