Having set up Matt with Rebekah and having a date of my own, I was all dressed and ready to go to the party only to learn that the dance was cancelled due to flooding from a burst pipe. I was actually devastated, more on Rebekah's behalf on my own, and as I stood there trying to call her, I sensed someone approach me. It was a guy I didn't know, but I could sense the same dual energy inside him as I felt with Tyler and Klaus. A hybrid. "Miss Martin-Jones? Klaus wishes to extend you an invitation." The guy informed me, causing me to stiffen and slowly lower the phone from my ear to look him up and down, pressing the cancel button as the call went through to Rebekah's voicemail. "A party is being held at the Lockwood's estate, and it is his wish that you attend. Please, come with me." Extending his hand behind him to reveal a sleek black SUV, I wondered if it was a good idea to get anywhere near Klaus.
"What if I say no?" I returned curiously, lifting my chin as I saw several more hybrids show themselves to me, all of them fixating these rather creepy looks at me.
"Klaus ordered us to bring you, but not to hurt you. If you were to refuse, we are to find alternate means of persuasion." That damn prick, basically that means they'll start making a mess of things just so that he would get his way.
"Fine, fine, I'll go. No need to get all murderous." Telling them to wait just a second, I decided that showing up with a date was probably only going to put him on the kill list, so I told him to forget it and just go home, which was a huge disappointment for me since I'd been looking forward to hooking up with him for a while now. Since that was all ruined because of a certain hybrid overlord, I could at the very least make him suffer for causing me a loss, I just have to think of a way to torment him.
Getting into the car, two hybrids pointedly sat themselves either side of me, effectively cutting off any direct means of escape. They were silent and brooding, making for one extremely awkward ride over to the Lockwood's. "So, you guys are hybrids right?" I tried, glancing around to register any reactions but received none whatsoever. "And you're sired to Klaus, how's he treating you? Fair pay? Pension plan?" Still getting no response, I waved a hand in front of one of them. "Anything?" Guess not.
Now thoroughly uncomfortable, I sighed heavily and slumped back against the seat, staring up at the ceiling until we pulled up and around the long drive to the Lockwood manor where the party seemed to have already started. Klaus was standing there waiting for us, and when the car came to a halt he descended the steps as the door opened and the first hybrid got out, leaving me to follow. "Welcome, I'm so glad you could join us." Klaus said to me, holding out his hand for me which made me eyeball him suspiciously before I grabbed it and slid out in the most unladylike manner, puffing my hair out of my face as I then tugged at one of my dress straps.
"Yeah well, since you sent your minions to come and collect me I didn't exactly have much of a choice." I returned curtly, shooting him a look. "If you're going to make yourself a slave army then at least give them some personality. It was like talking to a bunch of rocks."
"My apologies if my hybrids made you feel uncomfortable. Allow me to get you a drink." Still holding my hand aloft, Klaus smiled charmingly though with that lingering sense of predatory danger as he lead me inside like he owned the place. A hybrid came forwards in order to take my coat and another held a tray of champagne, Klaus taking two and handing one to me. "Here's to new beginnings." He announced, toasting his glass before delicately tapping it against mine as I continued to look at him with wariness and caution.
"What's got you in such a good mood? You're acting like a kid on Christmas." I said to him blandly as I tested the champagne, feeling the bubbles burst lightly under my nose as I found the expensive taste exceedingly delicious and took a bigger gulp.
"My father is dead, and I am celebrating his demise." Instantly I jolted, making me gulp a little too much champagne and I almost choked myself to death on it, struggling to keep it from spraying out of my mouth from my shock as I eventually swallowed it back and cough, all to Klaus's very clear amusement as he watched my suffering without offering his assistance, the jerk.
"Wait, your dad is dead? You're talking about Mikael?"
"So you know about him." Klaus coolly observed as he gently took my chin and used his thumb to brush against my lips which were moistened from the champagne. I glared at him then pointedly pulled my head back, silently warning him not to get too close.
"I had a vision or two of him rolling into town, but that's it. The only reason I recognised him was because Rebekah filled me in on your origin story. Pretty spectacular, by the way. You should make a movie." Chuckling in response as I downed the rest of my champagne then set the glass aide, Niklaus offered me his arm in order to lead me through and I considered rejecting him, still not entirely sure what he was doing and why he wanted me here.
"Easy love, I don't bite." Unable to help it, I laughed at that one. Shaking my head slightly I warned myself that I was probably going to regret this later, I hesitantly slipped my hand under his arm and let him guide me through the thick crowds of people who seemed to naturally part ways as the hybrids made them move, providing a clear passage for us all the way through to the back yard where a live band had been set up and was already playing through their set with a full stage crew and lighting display.
"Wow." Unable to hide the fact that I was impressed, I saw hundreds of people both from my school and from god knows where else. Most of them I had no clue who they were, and it seemed like they'd already been partying for hours. "You did all this?"
"Impressed?"
"Suspicious." I corrected, letting my hand drop from his arm in order to turn to him. "What are you doing here Klaus, other than celebrating your father's death which is a little twisted, if you ask me, but hey. Who am I to judge?" Folding my arms and trying to look serious, Klaus merely smirked at me before leaning in closer.
"I simply wished for you to have front row seats to the show." He murmured into my ear before drawing back so that our eyes met, remaining standing close to me and I stubbornly refused to be the one to step back first. "Where is my sister?"
"You mean the one you left behind after you skipped out on her?" I questioned before shrugging. "I don't know, we were supposed to meet at the dance but I guess since it's been cancelled, she'll make her way here. She better come, I set her up with a date and everything for her first high school dance." I'd even picked out a new dress for her because I hated the one that Elena had chosen. When she asked why, I just said that I hated it because Elena chose it. It was the principle. Plus it was ugly.
"Yes I was informed that you have been taking excellent care of my sister." Klaus mused a little curiously, tilting his head at me as we both continued to stand literally toe to toe with one another. "I have to thank you for that."
"Next time, don't leave her behind you ass. What kind of brother forgets his little sister? God." Berating him for running away without thinking about Rebekah, Klaus smiled at me before inviting me to dance with him as a slower song started up. Figuring what the hell, I caught sight of a guy passing with two shots in his hands, so I reached over and took them from him, making him protest but I just shot him a look before I downed the first one, then quickly followed up with the second. "Alright, now I'm ready to dance." Turning on my heel I strutted down the steps with impeccable balance with the heels I was wearing, feeling glad that I had chosen to wear a loose skirted dress so that it was easier to walk. Klaus followed after me as I wove through the people as they danced, mostly in couples before I turned around, having found literally the only open spot among dozens of people.
Arching a challenging eyebrow at him, Klaus looked me up and down before that same dangerous smirk tugged at his mouth, his eyes practically ravaging my body as in his mind's eye, he was probably imagining what it would be like to drink me dry of every last drop of blood in my body. Taking my waist and hand, I placed my hand at his shoulder then began to move with him, dancing slowly to the smooth tones of the music. "You look ravishing tonight, Ophelia. Perhaps I should host formal dances more often."
"And what makes you think I would go to them?" I returned smartly, keeping my head turned slightly to the side and focusing over his shoulder so that I didn't have to pay attention to his face. Choosing not to answer, Klaus moved on instead as to try and turn the joke on me.
"A shame your date couldn't join you tonight. Although his loss is my gain, it was deeply unchivalrous to leave you so soon."
"And what would you have done if I turned up with my date, huh? If your hybrids didn't rip into him, I expect you would probably have done something to make a point." Feeling his head turn towards me, his fingers twitched a little around mine before he chuckled smoothly and drew me a little closer, making me jump as he dipped me backwards with a hand firmly supporting me where my dress had an open back so I could clearly feel his fingers splayed against my skin.
"You're probably right, I easily grow jealous." Not taken in, I just looked back at him blankly before he finally lifted me back up, giving me a twirl before resuming our close dance. "What do you know of the circumstances of my father's death?"
"Nothing. I didn't even know he was dead until you subtly dropped the hint just now with this whole celebration." His eyes twinkled at me. "And before you ask, no I don't know anything about some grand scheme to kill you. I'm not exactly in the loop of what those guys get up to. Judging by the number of hybrids you've brought here as backup, I presume you expect something is going to go down and the reason you invited me here is because you want a druid on your side."
"Clever girl." He praised, though I didn't exactly take it as a compliment.
"Well my answer is no. I just want to dance and get drunk." Thankfully Klaus didn't throw a tantrum or anything like that at my blunt refusal. Remaining calm and composed, he didn't seem to be angry that I'd turned him down. Again.
"Come now love, don't be like that. We're having a good time, aren't we?" He purred at me, dancing me under his arm with a turn before bringing me back to him. "If you are not on my side, then I can only presume that you are my enemy."
"Or maybe I'm just here to get wasted and enjoy my teenage years being an irresponsible maniac before I have to knuckle down and make serious life choices about my future?" I suggested, which was actually the case. "Just think of me as an apathetic spectator. I don't care what you and the happy-go-lucky Team Elena get up to or what plans you have to kill each other. Just leave me and mine out of it."
"Perhaps something to persuade you." Klaus tried, however before he could threaten to hurt people, I reminded him that I couldn't care less about anyone around us and that he could kill away all he wanted, it would only make me more stubborn. "What about your precious friend Matt? It would be a shame if something were to happen to him." Again, dick move Klaus.
"You couldn't have any hope of hurting him before I could hurt you, Klaus, so don't even try it." I told him as we continued to dance together, standing so close that to all other eyes that may be watching us, we were an intimate couple dancing together to a romantic love song. "And the same goes for your hybrids. I can freeze everyone on this estate if I have to, so don't be picking a fight with me. I've warned you repeatedly it's a bad idea."
"Can't blame me for trying, love. I would much prefer for you to be on my team. The winning team." Rolling my eyes, I looked away from him in order to check the crowds for Rebekah, wondering if she'd arrived yet. "Looking for someone? Considering you are dancing with a man as handsome as I am, I feel a little insulted that your attention would be elsewhere." Klaus teased lightly so I spared him a glance.
"Rebekah still isn't here."
"My sister always arrives fashionably late to these soirees, I wouldn't fret over it love." He said to me just as the song changed, picking up the rhythm and everyone around us returned to dancing and jumping wildly, meaning that the slow dancing was over. "It was a pleasure, Ophelia, as always." Bringing the hand he had been holding to his lips, Klaus placed a light kiss there with a slight bow which only made me look at him with amused laughter, his eyes lighting up slightly before all at once he vanished, leaving me alone. Glad that it was over with, I focused on simply having a good time and waiting for Rebekah to show up. I danced to the admittedly awesome band, had several more shots then just grabbed a bottle of bourbon for myself as I ended up dancing on a table somewhere, totally wasted and having the time of my life until Matt found me.
"Mattie!" I grinned, saluting the bottle but staggered unsteadily, making me gasp before giggling.
"You're drunk Lia. Come on, I'll take you home." He said to me, reaching up his hands to offer me a lift down as I laughed, swaying as I took another drink.
"Don't want to."
"Come on Lia, trust me. You don't want to be here right now. Something's going on." Hiccupping, I frowned deeply as I stared at Matt, struggling to focus on him through my bleary vision before suddenly wondering why he was here.
"Mattie, where's your date? Where's Bekah?"
"Something came up so I came with Elena instead." That made me scoff, making a face at the mention of Elena's name as I dropped myself down on the edge of the table to sit, wriggling my toes as I had at some point discarded my heels. Bringing the bottle to have another drink, Matt smartly caught it and told me to slow down, gently easing my hand away from it and putting it far out of my reach. "I think you've had enough of that, you're gonna have one hell of a hangover tomorrow."
"Pft, that's like…tomorrow's problem." I waved off, feeling dizzy and pretty lethargic. "Is it home time?"
"Yeah Lia, you ready?" Nodding my head, I drunkenly figured it was about time I headed back to my own bed. I was tired of dancing, I didn't even know how much I had had to drink, and I was very, very drunk. I'm pretty sure I had that entire bottle to myself and then some. I have a feeling tequila had been involved at some point too. "Tyler told me to get everyone out so I've got Car already, so now I'm here for you.
"Aw Mattie! You came back to rescue me? You're such a darling, so cute and squishy and loveable…" Grabbing hold of his face I mushed it together, laughing and giggling as I made his cheeks squish in and his lips pucker like a fish, finding it the most hilarious thing in the world. "Okay, let's go!" Pointing ahead in order to lead the way I slid off the table and started to try and walk forwards, but my body was moving whilst my legs failed to follow and I would have hit the floor if it weren't for Matt. He managed to grab hold of me then whooshed me up into his arms, carrying me bridal style as I giggled. "Whoops." He smiled at me, laughing softly as he began to carry me out.
"Man you are so wasted."
"I'm wasted." I echoed, head spinning before I finally just gave up and went limp, my arms looped around his neck so I rested my head for a moment as Matt began to leave with me, only to be stopped by a pair of hybrids who blocked his way.
"Klaus has not given permission for her to leave." One of them informed us, making me blink and try to focus on them but all I saw were blurred silhouettes with a lot of background noise confusing me all the more.
"Come on guys, you can see she's way too drunk to stay. I need to take her home." Matt said nervously, drawing back slightly so I frowned. Were they bullying Mattie? No way, that's so mean! I can't let anyone bully my Matt, he was too sweet and nice to be bullied.
"You leave my Mattie alone!" I slurred, waking up slightly before groaning. I was trying to figure out in my drunken haze if I was sober enough to set them on fire without burning the entire house down with them, or at least make them back off somehow, but thankfully Klaus seemed to see the trouble and made his way over in order to intervene.
"What seems to be the problem here?"
"Klaus!" I recognised immediately, wriggling in Matt's arms in order to try and sit more upright but failed miserably. "Your minions are being mean to Mattie, make them go away." Arching an eyebrow at me, Klaus looked like he was about to burst into a fit of laughter upon seeing my current state of drunkenness.
"Have you perhaps a little too much to drink, love?"
"Yeah and that's why I'm taking her home." Matt interjected, albeit a little nervously as he faced Klaus. Reaching out my hand, I clapped it rather strongly on Klaus's shoulder, though I missed the first time and had to grope a little until I found it, squeezing my fingers as I tried to look him direct in the eye.
"You throw awesome parties, but Mattie says I need to go home so I'm leaving now, because I'm really dizzy...and hungry and want to sleep. When you see Bekah, tell her she's lame for ditching me, and that she better make it up somehow…" Head rocking as I struggled to stay awake, Klaus leaned in closer to me and all of a sudden, I received a strong impression of his cologne which made me stop and breathe in deeply as Matt remained anchored in place, unsure of what to do.
"Then I wish you goodnight, Ophelia." Giggling when he said my name, I grabbed his face with my hands without warning and began to squish at his cheeks, which probably wasn't my greatest of ideas considering who I was dealing with.
"You're so funny. Don't you think he's funny Mattie?"
"Hilarious." He agreed before shifting me with a small toss in his arms, bringing me back to him and getting a better grip as Klaus took a step back and allowed us both to leave. Opening my eyes, I saw him over Matt's shoulder for a brief second before my vision began to spiral, his eyes fixated on us with a look of pure possessiveness, and deep down I knew he wanted my power for his own, so it was unlikely that I was going to be rid of him any time soon. I get the feeling Klaus doesn't let go of the things he wants after he's made up his mind, and to possess the last druid that walks on this earth would make him all the more unstoppable. Blearily I sighed, hugging Matt tightly as he carried me to his truck where Caroline was also unconscious.
"Hm? Mattie…do you have a dead body in here?"
"No Lia, it's just Caroline. Tyler stuck her with vervain."
"Oh. That sounds mean." Smiling softly at me, Matt took off his jacket and rolled it up, making a pillow for me to rest my head after he strapped me in. "You're such a good guy, Mattie. Don't ever change." Promising me that he wouldn't, Matt made sure I was comfortable and safe before getting into the driver's side of his truck and taking the both of us home, stopping at Caroline's first before mine, where I completely blacked out for the rest of the night and had very little memory of anything that happened after I started dancing on a table, which only made me groan. I hope I didn't do anything too humiliating, otherwise I'm just going to stay in bed and never get up again.