"But when the people who gave you life have departed this earth, you enter a strange new corridor of detachment. You are untethered, disconnected from the two story lines that gave birth to your one."
― Cicely Tyson, Just As I Am
No Pairing
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Louisiana Bayou
Evening
After Tommy had finished his school work and apology note, he and Jack trampled through the Bayou to Eve's. Jackson was careful to let Tommy know that all was forgiven and that he believed in his ability to do better in the future. As they walked and listened to the sounds of the creatures who lived in the swamps, Jack told Aiden some funny stories about times he had done worse things.
"I know you are used to having the perfect example of a big bro in Aiden, but most Crescents are more like Ollie and me, wild and foolish," Jack admitted.
"That might be why our numbers have dwindled so much!" Tommy concurred.
"True, young blood. That's why you got to be smarter and stronger. It's easy to fall into trouble and fighting and war. Peace and success takes more patience and care. That ain't really been our way," Jackson said indicating the party ahead.
"I thought this was just a meeting?" Tommy asked in confusion.
"This is a meetin'. Crescent style with booze, music, and dancing. Grandma will make us leave before the fightin' probably," Jackson said with resignation.
Tommy nodded and looked for their group.
There were plenty of food and wolves there. Someone started playing music, other folks brought moonshine, and started a bonfire. Hayley sat on some logs as the older people tried to sort through the idea of moonlight rings.
Old Merle, who was only about 42, was saying, "Well, our kin never had no witchy rings! I don't see why we need them things. It ain't our ways." He tongued the hole in his mouth where his front teeth once were.
Leticia, his partner, cooed, "But think of it, Merle...We could turn whenever. I mean, we'd never need to fear none of them city vamps again. We could go into the city and kick their skinny asses!"
"Woman, you just want to go to the city to folic. Come on, none of us is gonna be fighting vamps that are hundreds or thousands of years old. Them bastards are always hungering for our hot blood. It is tasty and sweet to them, like shine is to us. We just as soon as stay clear away from them, y'all hear me?" Merle roared as he chugged another swig of shine.
Mary countered, "Earle, they heard ya in Monroe! Now, set down a piece and think. Them rings could mean trouble, yes, but they could also mean the vampires will just stay out of our way. The bad types, anyway."
Leticia snarled, "Mary, pardon my French, but what do you mean, the bad types. All them vamps are trouble. I heard you had some pretty fancy visitors at your place, but what have they done for us? We shed blood for them and what have they ever done for us? Huh?"
Mary frowned. Leticia and Merle hadn't been at any of the wolf fights with the Mikaelsons, but they were full of bluster. She wanted to get as many wolves considering the possibility of rings as possible if it would make Jack and her kids safer. Mary had even begun to care about Josh. He was a good boy and would often help her with her chores when her hands were knotted up in pain.
Merle put a restraining arm around Leticia, "She's drunk, but right, I reckon. Many wolves got kilt fighting vamp battles and what did them rich lords and ladies do for us? Nothing."
Mary now stood proudly, "We are wolves of the Crescent Pack. The vampires knew it would be an insult to offer us money or goods. They have given us some protection. Like young Josh here."
Josh cleared his throat, "I do have some news. It is a little bit of a secret and not quite public knowledge, but the Mikaelson family is starting a foundation to help families. All families, not just vamps or wolves, but humans and anyone they can. They want to focus on kids, education and their futures. This foundation would bring resources here into the Bayou to help everyone here live better and safer."
Hayley had been thinking of something that happened in her current events class, but Josh's announcement snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up at the young vampire with hope in her eyes.
"Josh, would they help orphans and foster kids? Kids who grew up like me?" Hayley said quietly.
"Yes, Hayley, that is their main goal," Josh reassured her. Some other wolves gathered around to hear what Josh was talking about. They also were interested in Hayley. She still sometimes heard talk about her being the Wolf Queen, but she was just trying to survive out here like everyone else.
Hayley took a deep breath, "Unlike y'all, I'm a Crescent, but I didn't grow up here. I was packed away because folks couldn't get along. My parents, who some of you knew, were murdered. If the Mikaelson clan is offering to help kids and give them futures, that is more than anyone else done for me, besides Mary here. All vamps ain't bad, just because they are vamps. To think like that is ugly and it's no more than ignorance. I'm not saying say yes to the rings, but at least consider them. Don't just say no because of your own prejudices. Those ways are what got my folks kills." Hayley looked at everyone around the circle and then stepped away with Josh more to discuss this foundation.
Merle and Leticia grunted and got up and walked to the other fire without a word.
"Thanks, Hayley. That meant a lot. If Aiden's pack would accept me, it would make things a lot easier," Josh gushed.
"I meant it, Josh. Marcel took me away from here to save me. My parents died trying to make an alliance with him, for peace. Tell me more about this foundation," Hayley prompted.
"So first of all, keep it quiet because Klaus didn't even tell the rest of his family about it yet. He and Marcel have been discussing it for like a hundred years. Basically, they would raise money and then give out the money to worthy causes with grants. Simple as that," Josh said splaying out his hands.
Hayley thought hard, "So I have this child development class. I really like it and my guidance counselor thought maybe I should look into maybe social work or even child care, like having my own day care. But what I really want to do is...Oh God, I can't even say it! It sounds ridiculous."
Josh put his hands around Hayley's waist and tickled her, "Tell me! I have to hear this brilliant idea."
"Stop it," Hayley laughed. "Fine! So I want to open up a home for kids like me. Kids who don't have real families or skills or futures. It wouldn't be like an orphanage, it would be a home, a real home. But it would get kids really to get places with good families, prepare both sides for the experience."
Josh stop and looked her in the eyes, "That's really beautiful. I'm sure it's not easy to go through what you did. I mean, my parents rejected me but I was in college when I came out. There are a lot of gay, lesbian, trans kids who get kicked out of their own houses much younger. What about them?"
"Yes, exactly, gay, straight, healthy, sick, supernatural, human, young, and older. In foster care, I had friends who were disabled, or differently abled, as we said. They were great kids, but some families just didn't think they could handle them. What if those families got the proper training and resources? Like my friend Tish, for example, was legally blind with a health condition. and didn't get placed. Her grandmother couldn't take care of her anymore. What was really sad is that she was 18 and out of the system, but really still a kid. There are lonely adults out there who would have been lucky to have Tish for a daughter," Hayley said with passion. "This could be a plus for both sides."
Ollie and Aiden came up behind them, and Ollie thrust a bottle under Hayley's nose.
"Some shine?" Ollie guffawed.
"Ollie, get that crap outta my face. Mary's gonna skin you alive if you get shitfaced tonight," Hayley warned.
Ollie held his stomach and roared, "Too late. Aiden, there's your little brother."
Aiden pushed away the moonshine bottle, "Is it just me or is he walking stiffly?"
Josh put his arms around Aiden's shoulders, "I think it is safe to say that he is kind of...Yup. He's trying to walk normally, but he just winced."
"Some shine will take care of that ass," Ollie hollered towards Tommy.
"Ollie, shut up!" Aiden hissed as he kicked at Ollie's steel-toed boot.
"Sorry, jeez. Y'all are so sensitive," Ollie whined staggering away to get more moonshine.
"You made it," Hayley said wrapping her arms around Jackson.
"Yes, we did. Tommy here works real fast when there is food involves. We best go get us a plate," Jack intoned.
Aiden broke awake from Josh and grabbed Tommy's arm, "You good now?"
Tommy flushed, "Yes, Jack, caught me cheating. Wait! Before you freak, he took care of it. I'll never look at a hairbrush the same way again."
"Cheating? You? Wow, I'm surprised, but as long as Jack took care of it, go get something to eat. You might need the energy if Mary decides you ain't learned your lesson," Aiden said as he sent Tommy off with a hearty swat to his backside.
"Owww, really?" Tommy laughed and rubbed the seat of his pants.
"Get going," Aiden urged with affection. Josh came up behind Aiden.
"Aiden, you know, he doesn't really belong out here either," Josh said in a husky voice.
"I know, Josh. Someday soon, you're gonna have to get us out of here. Once we get those rings, we'll leave here. This life, it's a dying lifestyle," Aiden said slowly.
"I'll do anything to help you. You know that. But with Jackson let you go?" Josh whispered.
"I don't know, man. He's my alpha. Always has been, I want to follow him, help him, serve him, but I feel like if I don't get Tommy and me out of here, we're going to die here," Aiden said as he glanced around at the boisterous scene. The fire was roaring, people were dancing wilding, two women were wrestling on the ground, and the others were hooting and hollering. Someone threw a cup of moonshine on the fire and it roared up five feet. There was a feeling that tonight was the last night on earth. That's how the wolves had lived for a long time, with no hope for tomorrow, they only lived in the moment.
"Look at me, Aiden. I am not going to let anything happen to you and Tom! We're going to get those rings and figure something out. There's a scent of blood in the air. I don't know what it is, but something is coming. I don't like it," Josh replied.
"Thank you," Josh said as he turned to his boyfriend and kissed him. For a few minutes, they were locked together and everything seemed okay.
Aiden looked at his watch, "Didn't you say you had to be back early tonight for the vamps? It's almost 10."
Josh's eyes grew wide, "Oh shit, I am totally late and I already used the flat tire excuse once this week. Love you. Be safe. Gotta run!"
Aiden said, "Bye" but Josh was already gone.
New Orleans, Louisiana
French Quarter, The Compound
Late Evening
"About time!" Marcel snapped as Josh rushed in the courtyard.
"Um, so I'm not going to lie. I was a this weird wolf Bayou party and I kind of lost track of time," Josh admitted guiltily.
"That doesn't even sound fun. So these baby vamps ain't going train themselves. Maybe I need to put someone more reliable on this?" Marcel retorted.
"Marcel, I'm sorry. Hey, is everything okay? Where's Davina?" Josh said looking around. He knew she wasn't in school yet. It wasn't unusual to find her and Rebekah watching some sappy movie on the couch at this time wrapped in a big blanket with Davina eating popcorn and Rebekah drinking wine.
"Grounded. She, um, snuck out to meet that boy after almost burning down the house. Sorry, man, I didn't mean to jump on you," Marcel said running his hands through his hair.
Josh felt acute sympathy for his boss and friend. He offered, "Look Marcel, I'm worried about her, too. I don't know what's going on, but I'm just not sure that public school is going to be the right fit for her. Is there any chance she could stay at her old school? I mean, not only are you a vampire, you are the King of the City, surely, you can pull some strings?"
Marcel exhaled, "Yeah, Josh. You know, can you take over or maybe even cancel with the newer vampires? You talk to D. and I'll see if I can at least get a meeting with her old headmaster. Rebekah took a bunch of pills and drank a half of bottle of wine and passed out. I'm on my own here."
Josh patted Marcel on the arm, "Of course. I'll try to talk some sense into her. Marcel, what kid her age doesn't go through a rough patch? It would almost be weirder if she was the student-of-the-year or something. Those French Quarter freaks did try to sacrifice her a year back. She died and then came back, etc. etc. You will all get through this and laugh someday. I promise you."
Marcel smiled, "Thanks, buddy. I hope so. You're a good friend, Josh."
Josh vamped up to Davina's second floor bedroom and smelled burning. He crinkled his nose as he tapped on her door.
"Daddy, I said I'm going to bed!" Davina yelled, "Unless you have my phone, go away!"
"Davina, it's me, Josh. Let me in," Josh said through the heavy wood.
"Oh, Josh!" Davina said bursting over to the door and throwing it open. As soon as Davina saw Josh she began to wail.
"What happened?" Josh said as he looked at the remnants of Davina's formally beautiful room.
"A spell gone wrong! Josh, my parents hate me now. I snuck out to meet Kaleb and they tracked me down. My life is ruined!" Davina sobbed as she burst into tears. Josh lead her over to her bed. He noticed she had a different comfortable on it.
"Hey, hey, shhh, listen. Davina, your parents freaking adore you. Stop it with the hate crap. Marcel is trying to get a meeting to keep you at your old school. Trust me, public school is going to be too much. I don't think you realize how spoiled and sheltered you and your classmates are. Here, cry on me, it's going to be okay," Josh cooed softly. Josh pulled the brown haired witched to him gently and held her as her shoulders shook from crying.
"No, Josh, I don't want to stay at that school. I wasn't completely honest with my parents. Josh, I screwed up," Davina wailed.
"What do you mean, Davina?" Josh asked as she sobbed into his shirt.
"Nothing. Just that I'm so screwed up. I still love Kol, but I like Kaleb. How is that possible?" Davina said changing the subject. She knew that Josh loved to talk about romance.
"Well, the heart wants what the heart wants, my grandfather told me that. I don't think at the time he realized that my heart wanted Lance Bass from NSYNC, or he might have not shared that with me," Josh recalled. He wondered if that NSYNC poster was still up in his old childhood bedroom.
"Josh, focus. My. Life. Is. Over.," Davina repeated.
"Davina, what can I do?" Josh asked plaintively.
"Stop my Dad from setting up that meeting!" Davina moaned. Josh vamped down to Marcel's study. By the look on Marcel's face, he knew he was too late.
"What's wrong?" Josh asked.
"I finally got a hold of the headmaster. Davina wasn't the victim of the bullying, Josh. She was the bully," Marcel said slumping down in the chair.
"No," Josh gasped. His beautiful friend? She used to protect the innocent and stand up for the underdog, not bully people. Josh was aghast. "That's not her. There has to be more to the story."
"Yep, he told me he has it all on camera. She took a disliking to this boy and began picking on him. The last incident was the last straw. I don't think the other boy was totally innocent, but she physically attacked him. It's too late. She's going to the public school. No other private school will take her," Marcel said in shock.
"Marcel, I don't know what to say. But, we're all here for guys, whatever she is going through...," Josh drifted off not knowing what to say.
Marcel took out the decanter and poured them both a drink.
"I'll talk to her about it...later. Let's talk about something else," Marcel said tightly.
Josh filled him in on some of Hayley's ideas for helping local children and foster kids.
"I love it. Hayley seems like she has a great vision. Maybe in a couple of years, she could run the place? I'll bring it up to my dad. He's been wanting to get more involved with the wolves. Plus, three of his kids are from here now. I'm ashamed that we've been talking about this foundation for so long and never got it off the damn ground. But now, it's going to finally happen," Marcel said proudly.
Josh raised his glass, "To the Mikaelson Foundation!"
"Always and forever," Marcel said downing his drink. "It's about time we focused on doing good and being good. Just protecting the people around here isn't enough, they need futures to look forward to."
"About that. Any chance we have any hope of making those moonlight rings this month? I've got to get Aiden and his brother out of that swamp. Marcel, it's rough there and dangerous. If you are a fighter and a killer, you have no chance of surviving," Josh worried.
"I'll try again. We have the stones. It's the wolf that doesn't turn blood...not sure about the pregnant wolf blood, but I wonder if Penny's blood would work. She was a hybrid, but is not cured. She doesn't turn anymore. The moon wouldn't affect her," Marcel explained.
"Could you ask Freya and your dad?" Josh prompted.
"I could ask," Marcel grinned.
"Don't say I'm gonna owe you. I pretty much owe you my life already," Josh quipped.
"No, man. You just owe me your death and only for eternity. I'll ask, Josh. Don't worry," Marcel promised.
"And I'll focus more on training the new vamps, I swear," Josh vowed.
"A deal is a deal," Marcel said pouring them another drink.