Circumstances

Pairing: OC/Rebekah

Summary: As much as everyone thought they knew, Jacqueline always managed to prove them wrong. People claim to know who she is, what she's done, what's she's been through - and yet none of them can see all of it. What happens when she meets a certain Original Vampire who sees every little thing about her. From the way she walks to the way she acts... but will Jacqueline allow her supernatural mate to see her past as if they experienced it themselves. Elena bashing.

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"The truth is rarely pure and it is never simple..."

Oscar Wilde

QUINDICI

Jaqueline = 18
Elena = 16
Jeremy= 13

Living with the le streghe d'Italia coven was certainly an experience. Jacqueline had gotten to know a few people so far. However most of her time had been spent learning. Jacqueline's progress in learning the Covens required teachings was impressive. So far, in the last 6 months that she had been living with the Coven, Jacqueline had made serious progress.

A fact that Giovanni was practically gloating about to the others.

Apparently it had surprised a few witches in the Coven. Some had assumed that because she wasn't raised with any supernatural knowledge, that she'd be disadvantaged. So much so that they had though Jacqueline would never reach full potential without years of Coven education.

They had been wrong.

Jacqueline was proud to say she had become just about fluent in Spanish, Latin and Bulgarian. Her next few languages would include Ancient Norse Runic, Egyptian hieroglyphs and Old English.

However while languages was one of her favourite theoretic classes... she was excelling in other areas as well.

The most noteworthy to the Coven leaders was her physical fighting abilities. Jacqueline had been training for years before coming to the Coven. She had proved time and time again that she loved to fight and was capable of winning against people more than twice her size. Jacqueline found that she enjoyed learning the new fighting techniques the Coven teaches though. She had successfully learnt kickboxing, Taekwondo, wrestling and karate to the best of her abilities. Now she was currently spending most of her time learning Krav Maga.

...Although Jacqueline couldn't deny she was excited about learning weaponry soon!

The Coven had deemed her abilities in math, writing and reading etc. all acceptable enough from high school education.

Thankfully!

Jacqueline had never been too interested in math or English in High school. They had been boring subjects she didn't really want to repeat. Though Jacqueline had been informed that science and history, however, were something that needed to be learnt more in depth. Biology and chemistry hadn't exactly been her forte in High school but Jacqueline was committed to learning with the Coven. History was previously similar to science - but she'd found that if the topic in history was interesting, she remembered it easier.

Luckily Coven history and Supernatural history in general was plenty interesting!

While all that progress with theory work was impressive... Jacqueline truly looked forward to learning magic more than anything else.

It was both extremely hard and easy at the same time.

Jacqueline found that controlling her magic was easier now that she understood it. Jacqueline had worked on making sure she embraced her magic to the fullest. There was a possessive edge to doing so but she hadn't had many problems with that.

Her magic is hers and hers alone.

It's as much of a part of her as her arm or leg. Jacqueline had learnt, that her magic manifested her intentions and was why she'd had the accident on the bridge and with the fire on the curtains back in Mystic Falls. Which was why control is paramount to any witch's ability to use their powers. Jacqueline was working hard on trying to control her magic - she needed to be able to have roaring emotions without having her magic lash out in response.

Of course, Giovanni and Jacqueline's magic teachers had all assured her that control comes with experience...

Apparently once Jacqueline was completely comfortable with magic and confident in her own power - that, only then, will control come naturally.

That was an advantage many in the Coven specialised in since they possessed magic when they're in the womb. Jacqueline wasn't able to grow into her magic as she aged like the others. However, she was determined to embrace the new aspect of her life nonetheless.

In fact, Jacqueline already felt like she was a happier person now than she had been before.

Which was why Lorenzo Amato, one of the Coven witches responsible for teaching her to use her powers, had asked her to meet him in the practice rooms. The practice rooms were rather genius things in her opinion. The practice rooms were like small gyms that had been spelled to remain in tact no matter the destruction going on inside the room.

It was perfect for practicing magic and spells in...

Especially considering Jacqueline tended to use too much force into a spell at times. If the room hadn't been 'magic-proof' then she might have burned the building down a time or two!

Knowing she wasn't capable of actually causing a fire to spread through the Coven, or even the room, was a relief when she was practising. Somehow her mistakes didn't feel as disappointing when the repercussions have no real effect. Jacqueline found it gave her a little more confidence when using magic because she can repeat the spell without fear as many times as she'd like until she gets it right.

Walking in the room, she smiled at Lorenzo who was waiting for her already. "Hey!" she greeted the man

"Hey, Jacq" Lorenzo smirked at her in greeting.

Jacqueline narrowed her eyes at him, the mischievous look on his face let her know that she was in for a big spell today. Lorenzo Amato was in his late 20's and although she had never asked his age, she assumed it was around 28. Lorenzo, like most of the other witches from the various families within the coven, had retained his Italian genetics - dark hair, olive skin and relatively tall. However, it wasn't his looks that drew people to the man, but his hilariously entertaining personality and devotion to all things magic.

She had found that she rather liked the man too.

Jacqueline sat down on the floor patiently, "What are we doing today, Renz?" she wondered curiously.

Lorenzo grinned, "Do you remember the different types of spells and magic casting?" he quizzed, like he always did when they began their training sessions.

"Expression, Wiccan, Runic and sacrificial" Jacqueline recited for the umpteenth time since her lessons on magic had begun.

Lorenzo rolled his eyes at her unimpressed expression and asked, "And the types of magic are...?"

"Ancestral bound, Nature bound and Blood bound" Jacqueline answered easily

"Right" Lorenzo nodded in agreement, "And do you know what types of magic practicing a ancestral bound witch can use?"

Jacqueline nodded, "They practice runic magic and sacrificial magic" she supplied

"Indeed" Lorenzo agreed, "What about Nature bound Witches?"

Rolling her eyes she muttered, "Wiccan and Expression"

Lorenzo chuckled at her reaction and shook his head in amusement. "Well, then, what about us? What about BloodWitches?"

"All of them" Jacqueline sent him a smirk as she answered, "We practice all of them because there aren't any restrictions on a BloodWitches magic. Our magic comes from inside us, it's ours to do with as we please" she explained not being able to help the little bit of smugness that seeped through.

Lorenzo chuckled and hummed in agreement to the explanation he had drilled into her mind over the past 6 months. "Correct!" Lorenzo declared proudly, "Now... so far what have you learnt the basics of?"

Throughout the various lessons that both Lorenzo and Cohen Domati had taught her so far, Jacqueline had learnt a lot. With Cohen the lessons consisted of mostly Runic magic practices and the fundamental aspects of using magic that were needed across all the different types of practice. Whereas, with Lorenzo her lessons varied but built upon those fundamental rules and explored Wiccan spells using the elements.

"We've mostly done practice in control and understanding my magic" Jacqueline shrugged, "We covered a little of the Wiccan spells that are pretty basic to test my control. Cohen and I have been exploring Runic magic"

Nodding Lorenzo hummed, "Then it's time to learn the basics of Expression"

Expression!

Jacqueline blinked in surprise but was pleasantly surprised to hear they'd be teaching Expression this early on. She had thought to use a magic as strong as what she'd heard Expression is - that she would of had to been in training for a lot longer than 6 months. Nevertheless she was glad to explore the new magic practice, even if they only stick to theory and then the basics to practicing this form.

"Alright!" Jacqueline agreed easily and jumped to her feet as she awaited instructions

Lorenzo smirked, "Honestly, Expression is my favourite practice as well. I think you'll enjoy learning this" he stated shrugging

"Why?" Jacqueline questioned curiously, she was admittedly surprised hearing this was his favourite.

Considering the bad things she had heard about Expression, Jacqueline had assumed it would be Lorenzo's least favourite form.

"Whatever you think you know about Expression - forget it" Lorenzo told her with a small scoff. "Expression is a manifestation of your will through magic. It isn't good or bad. Expression is actually the traditional practise of Blood Witches... the reason it gets called Dark magic or evil is because the people using it don't understand it. Expression was not originally intended for Nature bound witches to use. However, Nature witches adopted a watered-down form of it in order to create a loop hole around their abilities being dictated by the natural elements and their responsibilities as servants of Nature"

Oh.

Jacqueline blinked, she guessed that made sense when she thought about it...

If a Nature bound witch was trying to bypass their requirements of the magic given to them, there is supposed to be consequences. As Natures servants those witches much abide by the balance of the elements in order to use their gifts.

Shaking his head Lorenzo continued, "Nature witches only real restriction is that they must draw on the elements when preforming spells. Expression doesn't do either of those things - so Nature Witches adapted the practise of Expression to create a loop hole. Which is why Expression is so dangerous to Witches in terms of long-term use"

"So if a Nature Bound witch used an Expression spell once or twice they'd be perfectly fine?" Jacqueline questioned

"Other than the spell being a little more taxing on their bodies, sure, they'd be fine" Lorenzo agreed with a shrug.

"Then why do they call it dark magic? Why do they call it evil?" she asked

Lorenzo sighed, "Expression is stronger and more powerful than any spell cast using the elements. Water, fire, earth... whatever, it doesn't matter - Expression is stronger than all of them. When a Nature bound witch continuously casts spells without the natural elements then they're Natural magic punishes them. They become reliant on Expression as their real magic weakens"

And any witch loosing their magic is likely to go insane...

Jesus!

Jacqueline had learnt about how many Nature Bound witches had gone insane or gotten depressed and killed themselves when they lost their magic. It sounded devastating. Though the closest thing for a Blood Witch was loosing one's Bonded.

Hell loosing a Bonded had driven her own mother to her death!

"That's why they say that Expression is addictive?" Jacqueline guessed, "Because once they abuse the powers that aren't theirs, they can't stop"

Lorenzo nodded, "Right. Although for Blood Witches, Expression is natural. It's simply a manifestation of our will... it's easy and has no lasting effects of addictiveness for us"

"Cool" she nodded with an excited smile

Learning magic was both rewarding and difficult to do. Jacqueline had found using Runic Magic to be easy, especially since she had learnt to read the Runes in language studies. Wiccan Magic wasn't very powerful but has some great spells for self-defence and even many creatively vindictive curses. Using Wiccan Magic to control the natural elements of fire, water, air, earth had been extensively helpful in learning to control and adapt to her newfound powers.

...However, Expression seemed like it was going to be the form of practise where she can learn to actually do something!

"Let me show you something simple first and then you can try to do the same, Okay?" Lorenzo announced

"Uh-huh" Jacqueline hummed as she watched him intently

Lorenzo grinned before he turned to her and narrowed his eyes, clearly concentrating on something. Jacqueline watched him closely, unsure of what exactly was supposed to be happening at the moment. Lorenzo didn't say anything, he didn't need anything more than his mind to use Expression.

That seemed to make waiting for the spell to take place all the more anticipating...

Jacqueline frowned when she felt the tell tale sign of magic against her skin. She frowned at him but made no move to resit whatever spell Lorenzo was attempting.

"What did you do?" She asked when she felt it stop and noticed Lorenzo's grin return

Lorenzo handed her a mirror and Jacqueline took it curiously, looking at the reflection of herself she instantly noticed the bright neon pink colour of her hair!

"Oh my god!" Jacqueline grinned at him with wide, excited eyes, as she flicked her newly neo pink hair over her shoulder.

"It doesn't look bad" Lorenzo commented with a smirk before he concentrated on removing the magic from her hair, effectively returning her hair to it's natural colour. "Now you're going to try... on this mannequin"

While Jacqueline would love to see Lorenzo with brightly coloured hair - she was not confident yet in her ability to use Expression. Accidently exploding his head wasn't something she was keen on risking at the moment.

"That's probably best" she muttered in amusement

Lorenzo chuckled and set the mannequin head on the floor and them moved back from it to guide her through the use of Expression. Jacqueline followed his instruction as she delved into this new form of practising magic. It was key, apparently, to of fully accepted your magic to be able to use Expression. Which made Lorenzo's willingness to teach it to her a great compliment from the man.

She wasn't going to let him down!

Jacqueline concentrated on feeling her magic, the tendrils of it that wrapped around her, awaiting the chance to be used. She allowed herself to embrace her powers and everything they entailed. Jacqueline guided her magic to work her will. She commanded it to alter the appearance of the mannequins stringy fake blonde hair to a vibrant shade of green.

She felt the magic...

Wielded it like the extension of herself that it is...

Envisioned what she wanted it to do...

And then she grinned proudly when she felt and watched her magic reach out to her intended target, manifesting her will on it. The mannequins hair turned a shade of green that was practically blindingly neon, right in front of her eyes.

"I did it!" Jacqueline declared loudly in excitement as she turned to look at Lorenzo

Lorenzo looked impressed, "On your first try nonetheless" he agreed sounding very much as proud as she felt. "I'm a great teacher" he added smugly yet also playfully

Jacqueline rolled her eyes unsurprised with his antics.

"Now I have to practise on you!" She announced grinning wider when he suddenly looked hesitant

Jacqueline was excitedly pulling on her leather jacket when Giovanni, Dianna and Ricardo walked into the apartment. She looked up at them and smiled in greeting.

"Hello, Jacqueline" Dianna smiled in return and gave a small wave.

"Hey Dianna, Ricardo" Jacqueline nodded at the older witch and her Bonded/ husband.

In the past 6 months that Jacqueline had been staying with the coven she had gotten to know most of Giovanni's close friends. However Dianna and Ricardo were more than just friends to Giovanni; they're family.

Diana Mancinelli married Ricardo Amati 50 years ago.

And so, technically, they're Jacqueline's great-aunt and great-uncle.

Jacqueline had easily and instantly developed a magical Blood Witch bond with them. Her magic had latched onto what it recognised as family before the couple had even stepped thorough the doorway when they first met. They're nice people, a nice couple, but Jacqueline didn't know them too well.

"Where are you off to?" Giovanni asked as the older witch took a seat in the shared living room.

Jacqueline grinned, "Brooke Fenncetti and I are going to ride motorcycles around the track" she told them, bouncing on her heels in anticipation.

Her excitement was palpable in the way her aura of magic flickered out in the air to those she was connected to. The bond was truly a fascinating thing and Jacqueline still failed to truly comprehend it. No matter how many times Giovanni or someone tries to explain it.

The feeling is truly baffling in It's intensity.

Ricardo chuckled, "Back in my youth I was always interested in the newest vehicle of sorts"

Dianna lightly smacked Ricardo in the chest before jokingly adding, "I'm older than you. You make us sound like fossils when you talk like that"

Giovanni snorted at her sister, "Dont kid yourself, sister. We're all old now... but it doesn't mean we're not just as capable as the young ones!"

Jacqueline rolled her eyes playfully and kissed Giovanni's cheek. "Well, I'll Im heading down to meet Brooke. I'll see you guys later!"

Without waiting for a reply Jacqueline grabbed her phone and keys before heading out of the apartment. Stepping into the elevator she headed back down to the ground floor to go meet Brooke.

Jacqueline had met Brooke Fenncetti on one of her many days spent in the gym.

Thankfully it turns out that Jacqueline wasn't the only gym junkie around here. Ever since Jacqueline had visited the gym with Jessica and Raymond - it had become her favourite place to spend time.

... Giovanni always said that if Jacqueline wasn't in one of the practice rooms then she was at the gym!

Jacqueline felt her eyes widen as she headed outside of the Coven facility. Of course it was still actually part of the Coven - being magically cloaked and all. Though it was the first time she had actually been outside since she arrived.

"Jacq!"

Jacqueline looked over at hearing her name and spotted Brooke waving her over. She headed in that direction giving Brooke a smile in greeting, "Hey" she grinned.

"Hey" Brooke smiled in return. "Have you been out here before?"

"Actually I haven't" Jacqueline confirmed as she looked around again.

The outdoor area had to be the equivalent to half of Mystic Falls. There was a pool area, a tennis court, a field, and a race track. The grass was shockingly green and the plants all seemed to be perfectly in place and vibrant.

It was amazing!

Brooke chuckled, "Behind the pools - that shed thing that's right over there" Brooke pointed out as Jacqueline followed her gaze. "Well that's were all the sports equipment is but today we're going to the garage"

Jacqueline nodded along and fell into step with Brooke as she led the way.

"Why is there a garage when nobody leaves the Coven?" Jacqueline asked

Brooke frowned, "People do leave"

"They do?" Jacqueline was surprised to hear that. So far she had been taught and also experienced exactly why a Blood Witch would want to stay.

She hadn't know people could come and go from the coven.

"Yeah. You just have to let the elders know though" Brooke nodded with a shrug. "Honestly, most people only leave to go to another Coven location. There are plenty of them around the world. Any Blood Witch Can seek shelter at a Coven"

Oh.

Jacqueline of course knew that not every witch here has family in the coven, or where even born in the coven. She just hadn't realised that there were so many of their kind living and surviving on their own.

"What about you? Have you travelled much?" Jacqueline asked humming as they approached the garage.

Brooke nodded, "Yeah, I was born in Washington... my family and I lived there for years without problem. My dad was born in the coven and left when he met his Bonded. He always told us about Coven life... my brother and sister took after my mom and aren't very Into the witchy-community-thing"

"I think I like it" Jacqueline admitted wistfully. "I mean, it's a good feeling being around people who use magic as a normal occurrence. Makes me feel excited and more welcome" she shrugged

Brooke smiled in agreement, "Yeah. I didn't used to be comfortable with my magic and so I had a lot of incidents of it getting out of control. It would have put a target on my family's backs so I came here to learn more about it"

"How long have you been here now?" Jacqueline wondered

"3 years" Brooke smirked

Jacqueline chuckled and pushed open the door to the garage as they walked in. The place looked like a smaller version of a professional mechanics garage. Only there wasn't anyone actually working at the moment. Apparently the cars had all been magically spelled with endurance to any damages. Though the cars don't belong to one single person, rather can be chosen from when leaving the coven.

"Mikey?!" Brooke hollered

A man, who looked a little bit older than them, appeared from the office area. His jet black hair was spiked and he was dressed in greasy clothing. However his eyes were almost a golden brown and seemed to light up as they spotted Brooke.

"B!" The man smiled and hugged Brooke before his eyes settled on Jacqueline and he rode a brow. "You gonna introduce me or what?" He asked Brooke, staring and Jacqueline with a panty dropping smirk.

Without a doubt, she knew that smirk worked for this man!

Hell she wasn't entirely except to it either - but she was unwilling to let him know that. So she forced herself to appear unfazed by his lusty gaze.

Brooke chuckled and rolled her eyes at the man. "Jacqueline this is Mike - Mike meet Jacqueline"

"Nice to meet you, beautiful" Mike grinned

Jacqueline felt the corners of her lips turn up in amusement. She nodded with a small laugh, "Nice to meet you too"

Brooke snorted and turned to Mike expectantly but he seemed to be too busy trying to flash a sexy smirk Jacqueline's way. Brooke cleared her throat and rose a brow at Mike. "You said we could borrow the motorcycles for a little while?"

"You wanna ride a big ole hog?" Mike asked, directing his innuendo at Jacqueline with a wink. "Cause I've got-"

Jacqueline chuckled and rolled her eyes as Brooke cut her friend off from finishing his lame comment.

"I'm just saying" Mike defended himself with raised hands. "Whenever she's ready I'll let her ride my big ole hog!"

That only got him a smack upside the head from Brooke.

Once Jacqueline and Brooke were led to the motorcycles, they rode them out to the track. Jacqueline loved the sleek chrome of the Harleys and would always prefer a motorcycle to a car. It had been years since she had rode a motorcycle and while she was a little rusty - it was still as fun as ever!

After a small adjustment period, they raced the laps of the track.

Jacqueline whistled loudly and hollered as she bypassed Brooke on the sharp corner. She was ready to win this round pushing it at neck break speed!

Crossing the finish point she slowed down to a stop and smirked when Brooke soon followed. "That was amazing!" She grinned at Brooke

Brooke laughed freely, "It's my favourite thing to do! How'd you learn to ride?"

Jacqueline snorted at the question. "I dated a guy back in Virginia. He was 19, I was 16... he couldn't keep it in his pants but he did have a nice Harley" she laughed in explanation

Brooke grinned, "That's exactly how I first learnt too! Who knew that douche-bag boyfriends could be good for something?"

Laughing Jacqueline hummed her agreement before she spotted an approaching figure in the distance. Quirking a brow at Brooke she said, "You should slap some sense into Mike if you really like him"

Brooke chocked on a disgusted laugh and shook her head rapidly. "God no! I love Mikey - but in a older brother/ bad influence sort of way" Brooke assured with a pinched up face at the suggestion of anything more. "But he seems to like you... so make your move"

"Girls!" Mike yelled out grinning at them

Jacqueline let her eyes roam over the man. He definitely is attractive. Not in the lets date and fall in love, kind of way though. More like let's have a good time and then move on type of the thing. Humming she decided that maybe she would make a move on him.

It had been a while since was last with someone...

"Hey" She smirked back at him

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