For Phoenix_Queen per request
Pairing: none (M/F reference)
"Why, sir, for my part I say the gentleman had drunk himself out of his five senses."The Merry Wives Of Windsor: Act 1, Scene 1
New Orleans, Louisiana Mikaelson CompoundFebruary 1913 -Next Day
Kol sauntered down to breakfast the next morning lacing his hands through his suspenders. He made his way to the pantry to find his appetizer. He fed from the light-haired plump girl that Elijah had found near the bakery. She smelled like yeast, but tasted good to him. After the thrashing he and Marcel got last night from his brothers, he thought he deserved a little extra.
"Trying to kill her, Kol!" Marcel snapped pulling his arm away. Kol had been so intent on the blood that he had not heard Marcel behind him.
The compelled girl stood idly by, gazing at the wall. Blood was dripping from her throat in a little river and onto her blouse. Kol wondered how much Elijah paid these people to be fed off of and compelled.
"Aye, I am trying to bloody drain her dry," Kol said with sarcasm and a scowl.
Marcel stepped back abruptly as if Kol had slapped him. Kol recalled his vow to not argue with the younger vampire anymore. Kol winced and shut his eye a moment before speaking.
"Apologies, Marcellus. Thank you. Did you want some?" Kol said offering the girl to Marcel as he took out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth.
"No harm done. I had some this morning. I got up early, but Rebekah was already gone," Marcel deflected sadly.
"Aye, I bet she would not want to face the whole house after...last night," Kol said his face flushing.
"Papa is probably not best pleased with me. Do you think I shall get another thrashing?" Marcel inquired.
"Nay, it was not your folly that my sister plunged herself in your bed in her...I cannot. I am sorry, Marcel. But to answer your question, no, I think your punishment is that the jig is up. My brothers can no longer feign ignorance of your night time dalliances. You two will just have to get more creative," Kol suggested.
"What do you mean?" Marcel said. He had a mind for business and political intrigue, but he had little concept of what Kol was referring to. Get creative? He had not painted with his father or tried his hand at verse for many years.
"Kol! Marcellus! Breakfast!" Elijah called from the dining room.
"Later," Kol said simply. He walked to the dining room with a spring in his step. He had slept rather well, even after being rudely awakened by Rebekah last night. Kol looked at Marcel from the side and noticed he did not look as well-rested.
"Where is Rebekah? Not stowing away in your bed again, I hope, Marcellus," Klaus said sternly, unfolding his linen napkin on his lap.
"Papa...please, that was not...," Marcel stumbled.
"What? A habit? I thought we cleared all this up a while back," Klaus said now staring at Marcel.
"Please, let us not argue at the table. Where is Rebekah?" Elijah said buttering his toast.
"I do not know. She was not in her room this morning. I assume she went to volunteer somewhere," Marcel admitted helplessly.
"Cook, would you come here please?" Klaus called. Cook always had the serving girl stand near the door in case they needed something. She called for Cook and she came out.
"Do you happen to know where Miss Rebekah went this morning?" Elijah inquired causally.
"Yes, sir. She said she was going to be tending to the poor at St. Anne's with Miss Justine all morning. More coffee? Anne!" Cook ordered, as he backed away.
"Thank you, Cook," Klaus said nodding.
"More likely shopping on Canal Street. That spoiled heiress Justine never did a lick of volunteer work in her entire life!" Kol smirked.
"Like you did?" Marcel could not help but slip in.
Kol started to reply and then offered, "Not to worry, Brothers. Marcel and I will locate Rebekah and bring her back safety. Perhaps we can even take her on that river boat cruise tonight that she has been pressing you all to go on?"
Klaus countered, "Elijah and I have that meeting tonight with the Guerreras about the docks. I do not think today is the best timing."
Elijah felt his neck heat with shame, "I was, perhaps, a bit hasty last night in my shock. I am afraid I may have...Perhaps, a day away will help. Excuse me."
Elijah got up and tossed his napkin on the table. For a moment, no one spoke.
"He makes mistakes, too," Klaus said softly. "Go, find Rebekah. Take her out tonight. As long as Kol is there to supervise, I am fine with you even taking a night cruise. Just bring our sister home tomorrow. I expect you two can behave responsibly for one night? We are trusting you. Do not disappoint us or that hiding you got last night will seem like a gentle caress."
"We shall behave. We all after all, real adults," Kol reminded him.
"I wish that were true, boys. Please, just use common sense and do not do anything crass or foolish. I mean it!" Klaus growled.
"He treats us like we are imbeciles sometimes," Marcel said before Kol could. They were men, not boys.
Klaus got up also and followed Elijah out. Kol and Marcel were at a loss.
"So we are to find Rebekah, who may or may not be at the poor house. Then, we can finally go on a steam boat for a winter excursions? And we get to stay out all night?" Kol smiled.
"Is this what you meant by be creative?" Marcel asked skeptically.
"Indeed. I can gamble and drink and the two of you can dance and stare at the stars! It's perfect," Kol insisted.
"What if Rebekah does not wish to be found?" Marcel worried. After all, Rebekah was an Original vampire. She could compel vampires and humans alike. If she really wanted to disappear, she could.
"Marcellus, why do you ever doubt me? I may not be a witch anymore, but I always have some witches in my pocket. We are going to need to head to Algiers, though," Kol whispered.
"Algiers? What happened to your French Quarter witch friends?" Marcel replied.
"Oh, they still bloody despise me after the whole paragon diamond debacle. The Algiers coven...They love magic, jazz, and Kol Mikaelson," Kol bragged.
Marcel doubted that, but he had no choice but to trust Kol. He missed Rebekah already, and he'd do anything to find her.
"Brother, please wait," Klaus intoned. He hurried to catch up with his elder brother. Even at this early hour, Elijah was immaculate in his dark suit and white dress shirt. His tie was navy and perfectly straight.
Elijah paused, "Niklaus, I really do not wish to discuss it."
Elijah continued walking to his study.
"After all the hideous and despicable things I have done and yet you judge yourself so harshly. Elijah, talk to me!" Klaus demanded. Klaus grabbed Elijah's arm.
"Do you really want to hear this sordid tale? Come in then," Elijah said pushing Klaus into the study.
"It will be okay, Brother. She will come home. She always does," Klaus assured him.
"I was in a deep sleep. If you really must know, sometimes I dream of Celeste. Yes, Niklaus, the day I found her dead in the bathtub. I do not say that to hurt you, but I want you to know my mental state," Elijah started.
"Oh Elijah, it is too early for spirits?" Klaus asked standing and pacing. It had been Klaus' doing that Celeste was drowned, but Elijah always blamed himself.
"Actually, yes. So I am dreaming and I feel someone slip in the bed with me. Celeste came back to life? A warm body. It was so nice to not be alone. Then, I heard this God awful screech and it is our baby sister in this...half-nude, I do not know what to call it. I do not want to paint a picture for you. I knew immediately that she assumed I was Marcellus," Elijah spat. Elijah tried to wipe the vision of Rebekah in her flimsy outfit out of his mind.
"They disobeyed us. They promised that they would not longer flaunt their love affair so. Not like that, anyway. I understand why you were upset," Klaus reasoned.
"I sat up and Rebekah jumped up and out of the bed. Thankfully, she had on a chemise, but the whole back of her knickers were...cut out. I snapped and put her right over my knee," Elijah confessed.
"I think we all heard you spanking her fairly soundly. The lady doth protest too much, me thinks," Klaus concurred.
"The sight of that with her stockings and high boots on pushed me over the edge. I felt like she looked like she stepped out of a pornographic French postcard. I wrapped her in a blanket and carried her back to her bed. I paddled her with her own hairbrush," Elijah said soberly.
"I have used the hairbrush on her myself a time or two. Were you too harsh?" Klaus asked with concern. With their healing, it was unlikely that Elijah could bruise or mark Rebekah, but Elijah looked disturbed.
"No, not at all. But Niklaus, I put her in the bed and told her to go to sleep and...," Elijah put his hands over his face.
"What, Brother?" Klaus was worried now.
"I said,'Stop dressing and acting like a little whore and go to bed or I shall really give you something to cry about,'" Elijah confessed.
"Oh Elijah, you did not!" Klaus said in horror.
"I did. She will never forgive me. And the worst part is while I was spanking her, all I could think about was how jealous I was of their love. Marcellus and Rebekah. Think about how many times they have defied us and snuck around and fought to be together despite all of our efforts, they still love each other. That is something that you, Kol, and me may never have. What right do we have to stop them?" Elijah asked.
Klaus threw up his hands. "None, really. It is true. I am willing to let them be free, if they can handle it. Elijah, I wish I could tell you that what you did was not grievous, but you know I cannot. Our sister is a tender soul. She is sweet thing who comforted me after Father beat me as the rest of you sleep while I wept. Rebekah is the bright light in this house that keeps us smiling and alive. You must make this right. She did not deserve what you said and did to her."
"I know. I did not comfort her after what I did," Elijah scoffed. "But Brother, while you wept after Father hurt you, I wept, too. I just could not go to you. I was too ashamed that I could not protect you. I feel that same shame now. I am not sure I know how to make this better."
"Let us let Marcel and Kol find her and have a nice night tonight. When she cools down, you can speak to her. Or we can together. The truth is that Marcel has been distracted by all of this. If he is to take over as the King of the New Orleans, he needs to be at these meetings, not on pleasure cruises. He doesn't want to make a choice, but he is choosing her over leadership," Klaus said softly.
"Is that something you can live with?" Elijah asked.
"I can, if that is what he truly wants. If not, he has a decision to make. Sacrifices will need to be made. Elijah, I am glad you told me. I am not sure I would have reacted much differently had I been in that bed," Klaus confessed.
"Niklaus, you never would have called her a...harlot and left her to cry herself to sleep. No of us is innocent, but I have a cruel streak that comes out when I least expect it. Sometimes I envy our younger siblings and Marcellus, if only someone purge me of my own guilt," Elijah said heavily.
"We could always undagger Finn? He could bore you to death," Klaus offered.
Before Elijah could refuse, Marcel knocked and opened the door.
"Papa, we're leaving now. I hope the meeting goes well," Marcel shared.
"Me, too, Son. Just find Rebekah and bring her home," Klaus said crossing the room. He embraced Marcel.
Elijah nodded at Marcel, but couldn't bring himself to speak.
Algiers
Marcel and Kol waited outside the big planation house along the river. The witch Kol was looking for worked around this area. Several children on the street had directed them this way for a few coins in payment.
"I remember coming here for dances back in the day, not too far from here. Too busy for most of that now," Marcel reminisced.
"I was probably daggered at that time. I never recall being here much. I never knew the witches here until a few months ago. I met them first at that new club down the street from Lucille's bar," Kol muttered glancing at the back door.
"I think most folks here practiced voodoo or hoodoo, brought down from the African and Haitians who come through here. There was always talk of the graves being robbed during the Civil War for big Voodoo ceremonies. I wonder if that was just talk to scare off outsiders," Marcel mused.
"That was no talk, cher. It was all real," a tall dark-skinned woman purred. She had dark eyes and a bright yellow head scarf on. Her arms were filled with bracelets of both gold bangles and colorful beads strung on leather cords. They clanged together when she moved her arms.
"Dominque! You look lovely, as always. I have a small favor to ask. I know you are much in demand these days, but I think I can make it worth your while," Kol said taking her hand and kissing it.
Dominque scoffed and pulled her hand away. "Uh, he is full of merde. But you, cher? The future King of New Orleans, it is an honor, Mr. Gerald."
Marcel grinned at Kol and whispered, "...I can see how much they love you."
Kol rolled his eyes and turned back to the stately witch, "Madam Dominque, would you be so kind as to do a locator spell for us?"
"Do you have the blood?" Dominque asked.
"Of course," Kol said slipping her a vial of his blood.
"Come over to my shack. We must do this quickly, I have to get back to work," Dominque said.
Kol pulled out the hairbrush they found flung on the floor of Rebekah's room. Marcel produced a map of the city and gave it to the witch.
"Merci. Give me a minute," Dominque lit some candles and suddenly produced a snake from below her table. Marcel looked at Kol in shock. Where the hell had that thing come from? Kol just smirked. They were cards of saints all over the table. Marcel realized that Dominque was practicing voodoo or some form of sacrificial magic.
Dominque held the hairbrush and mumbled some words in French or Creole, Marcel wasn't sure what she was saying. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. It smelled like a church in here, Marcel thought as Dominque suddenly slit the snake open over the map. The blood seeped to one side and formed almost a perfect circle.
"She's near the River. Is she taking a journey? She is waiting for you both," Dominque said. She handed Marcel the hairbrush and he took it slowly.
"You must just toss that in the River and let it sink to the bottom of the Mississippi," Dominque suggested.
"Why? Rebekah loves that brush. I bought it for her for Christmas many years ago," Marcel pressed.
"You will find out if you do not listen to me, cher," Dominque laughed.
Kol smiled, "Dominque, thank you as always. I hope we meet again."
"We will, Mr. Kol. Until we do, be careful," Dominque warned.
"Luv, I am immortal. I cannot be killed. Others ought to be careful around me," Kol quipped.
Dominque uttered, "In Haiti, we say 'Kouri lapli, tonbe larivye' or 'In avoiding one thing, we fall into something worse.' Now leave me, you have made me late."
Marcel bowed, "Merci, Madam."
Kol and Marcel made it to the ticket booth of the The Sidney and found Rebekah waiting there.
Marcel ran to her and embraced her, "We were worried."
Kol said, "How did you find us?"
Rebekah smiled, "I went home and caught Nik before he left."
"Was Elijah there?" Marcel asked hesitantly. He did not know what transpired last night, but he knew it was not good.
"No, he had left early. But Nik said we were to enjoy ourselves tonight on the boat and he gave me quite a lot of money," Rebekah smiled.
"We went all the way to Algiers to have a voodoo witch do a locator spell on you," Marcel laughed.
"Silly boys! I told Cook I was at St. Anne's. You could have just picked me up there," Rebekah scoffed.
"Oh, I did not actually think you were there," Marcel admitted.
"Well, I dragged Justine there and it did not go so well. She lasted all of an hour before getting a headache and leaving me there alone," Rebekah confided.
"Let us forget our troubles and get on this pleasure cruise. I need to have a drink. Also, I may need some of that cash to gamble away. Are you sharing, dear Sister?" Kol inquired.
"I may be," Rebekah said as she offered each vampire one of her arms. "But only if you will both escort me."
A few hours later, Rebekah and Marcel were dancing to the band on the deck of the steam boat. Kol concentrated on getting as drunk as he could, gambling, and looking for loose women. He did not find anything except gambling losses and more gin.
"Are you alright, Rebekah? Will you talk to me?" Marcel asked pulling her close.
"Marcel, forgive me. I cannot. Just trust me. I do not want to spoil this perfect night," Rebekah smiled sweetly.
"Oh, we used your hairbrush for the locator spell. Want to put it in your handbag?" Marcel said pulling it out of his jacket.
Kol staggered over, clearly drunk. "Hello, luvs. Having fun, eh?"
"Kol, did you drink the whole brewery? My word," Rebekah giggled. It took quite a lot to get him this drunk.
"Here's your brush," Marcel said handing it to her.
"Ugh, I never want to see that thing again. Marcel, buy me another brush!" Rebekah said tossing it off the deck.
Kol saw the brush bounce below, "Do not worry, luv! I will retrieve it!" Kol said bounding down the lower deck.
"Kol, no, I do not want it after last night!" Rebekah ruminated.
"Oh Rebekah, Elijah didn't use it on you, did he?" Marcel cried.
"He did, Marcel. He was awful. I have never seen him so angry. He tossed me in my bed and said terrible things to me," Rebekah wept. Marcel crushed her to his chest. He would have words with his uncle. How dare he?
"I almost got it," Kol said as he approached the edge of the railing.
Marcel's eyes got wide, "Kol, stop, you are going to..."
Rebekah wiped her tears as they watched Kol tumble in the water.
"Drunken fool! I'll ruin my dress. Hold on. I'll get him," Rebekah said.
"No, you stay. Let me go," Marcel demanded.
"No, Marcel, it's not safe!" Rebekah yelled in panic.
"I could not protect you last night. Let me do it now," Marcel hollered as he jumped down to look for Kol.
"Bloody fools!" Rebekah scoffed to herself. The other guests were now pointing and shouting in the water. Rebekah started to slowly climb down.
"Miss, this isn't for the guests. It is not safe. Back on the upper deck please!" a man said grabbing Rebekah's arm and hauling her back up. She could have crushed the man, but there were people all around her.
"Kol, I'm coming!" Marcel said dropping into the choppy waters of the Mississippi. Marcel had learned to become a strong swimmer, but these waves were rough. Even with his vampire senses, he could see Kol.
"Marcellus! What are you doing?" Kol shouted from the boat.
"Looking for you!" Marcel choked out, he went under. He couldn't die from drowning, but he could drown over and over again.
"Hang on!" Kol said, he peeled off his jacket and dove into the water. He had been on his hands and knees looking for the brush.
Kol swam over to Marcel and gripped him. He was stronger and could see better.
"Hold on to me," Kol shouted. Kol navigated through the darkness and rough water holding Marcel tightly. He hoisted him up on the boat to safety. At the same time, a worker lowered a rescue boat knocking Kol back into the water.
Rebekah compelled the worker holding her, "You will let me go now!"
She rushed down to help Marcel up. "Kol, he got knocked down. Gotta get him."
At that very moment another boat closely passed. "That paddleboat! It's too close. Where is Kol?" Rebekah screamed.
She dove in and searched the water, but there was no sign of him.
The Next Morning
Kol woke up at sunrise on the bank of the Mississippi River covered in mud. His arms and torso were all cut up. He vaguely remembered being dragged under water from another boat for miles. He crawled up the shore. His wounds were still partially open. He needed blood.
Kol staggered up until he found an old man slumped outside a small building. He drained the man and was finally able to get up. Kol had no idea where he was. After some searching, he found a cab and compelled the driver to take him home. His head was pounding and he knew he looked horrific.
Staggering into the Compound, he knew Elijah would scold him if he got mud every where.
"I am home! If anyone cares, I am bloody alive," Kol yelled...then he collapsed.
It had all been a dream. Kol was still underwater. He was stuck. He passed out again.
Finally, after it seemed like this when on for days, someone pulled him out of the water.
"Kol, here, drink from me," Elijah said cutting into his own wrist with his teeth. Kol could barely move, but the few drops of Elijah's blood that he consumed, began to revive him. He drank and he could finally open his eyes. They were on a boat.
"Dominque? Is that you?" Kol croaked.
"Who do ya think found you?" Dominque said handing him a towel.
Kol grimaced, "You didn't have to sacrifice a baby dolphin did ya? Oh my head..."
Klaus held Kol, "We couldn't bloody find you. Dear God boy, when I get you home..." Klaus wrapped the towel around Kol and kissed his head. Kol looked back.
"Nik, are you crying? Bloody hell, have you all gone daft?" Kol asked.
Marcel and Rebekah were clutching each other. Rebekah was crying, too. Kol had only been gone since last night, but they knew he was suffereing.
"Kol, you fool. You and Marcel practically killed each other over that blasted hairbrush. I made up with Elijah simply if he promised me you would both get it good when you recover," Rebekah said holding onto Kol's foot.
"Am I still dreaming?" Kol wondered.
Elijah patted him, "No dreaming. We'll be home soon enough. I think it is safe to say you are in bed for the foreseeable future, little Brother. Now, do you want to explain to us what you were thinking?"
"I was rat-arsed? Is that an excuse? I did not want Marcellus to die or for Bex to lose her favorite hairbrush," Kol said still letting Klaus hold him.
Klaus bit his lip, "I think he is still knackered."
"I know a good way to sober him up, but I promised Rebekah I would wait until he was better," Elijah smiled.
Klaus looked at Dominque, "We cannot thank you enough. No other witches would help us. We are in your debt."
"Mr. Kol is a friend, I suppose. Someday I am sure I will need your help, all the same," Dominque said graciously.
Rebekah let him grip her hand and squeeze it. They had talked and she knew how sorry Elijah was, but their first priority was to find Kol. After that, what happened between her and Elijah felt different, more about him than her. Right now, she just wanted to get her drunken brother home. Rebekah also was alarmed at Marcel. The two of them wanted to be treated like men, yet they acted like impulsive boys constantly. It had to stop.
Kol closed his eyes and drifted off into sleep. He didn't feel them carry him off the boat and into the house. He woke up in his bed with his family by his side and the same girl sitting there for him to fed off of. She still smelled of yeast, but she tasted delicious.
End of Part 1