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 consequences of our actions take hold of us, quite indifferent to our claim that meanwhile we have improved"

Friedrich Nietzche

SEDICI

Jaqueline = 18
Elena = 16
Jeremy= 13

Jacqueline sat up in her bed, hand hovering over her phone in hesitation. She had officially been living with the coven for 8 months now and out of Mystic Falls for almost 9. While Jacqueline maintained frequent contact with Tyler, Jenna and occasionally Jeremy - Elena had yet to speak to her.

And today is Elena's 16th birthday...

Jacqueline was willing to admit that she wasn't sure what to do now. Of course she had asked her family what they thought and only gotten mixed answers.

Enzo says call.

Jenna says it's worth a try but don't hold her breath on getting an answer from Elena.

Jeremy says Elena would probably like it.

Tyler says no way in hell.

It was fair to say that none of their advice had helped in the slightest. Honestly, Jacqueline was more than a little hurt that Elena still wasn't willing to speak with her yet. It had, after all, been about a year since Miranda and Greyson's deaths. While Jacqueline knew the accident was particularly her own fault - Elena had nothing to be upset over other than the exchange of hurtful words.

Insults which had been returned by Miranda!

So, Jacqueline wasn't sure why Elena was still mad?

Jacqueline didn't understand why her own sister still, 12 months later, says she hates her?!

It hurt.

Yet Jacqueline was no stranger to the people closest to her being the ones to hurt her the most. She had long ago become so unattached that nobody could do anything to hurt her anymore. However she hadn't accounted for her own siblings setting out to do damage.

And that seemed like the worst kind of betrayal.

Regardless of how she was feeling, Elena is still her little sister, and so she dialled the number. Jacqueline bit her lip as she brought the phone to her head and listened to the rings. Each ring making it more and more likely that her call would go unanswered.

"You have reached Elena Gilbert. Sorry I missed your call, leave me a message and I'll get back to you!"

Jacqueline sucked in a breath as the voicemail beeped. "Uh, Elena, Happy Birthday!" She tried to sound as cheerful as possible, like nothing was wrong. "Just calling to wish you a great day! Get back to me when you can, alright?"

Beep.

Jacqueline closed her eyes and shut the phone off as she tossed it to the side. God! Maybe she had been a fool to think that Elena and her would ever be close again.

Maybe it had been wishful thinking?

After all Jacqueline knew as well as most that Elena could hold a grudge like no other. Elena was very much like Miranda in that way. The girl tended - as was normal for someone her age - to only think about herself and her own feelings. Why Jacqueline had previously assumed this would be different... well, she couldn't remember why. Cause Elena Gilbert is narrow sighted and often blinded by her emotions. The girl is passionate about anything and everything.

...Jacqueline was quickly realising she wasn't exempt to Elena's harsh standards just because they're sisters.

Shaking her head she sent a few texts to Enzo, Jenna, Tyler and Jeremy before heading into the closet to get ready. Maybe she would be able to work off this anger by throwing herself Into either magic training or the gym?

It sounded like her best option at the moment.

And so that's what she did.

One Month Later:

In the month that had followed Elena's radio silence, Jacqueline had become all the more determined to train and learn. Her few Coven teachers had each questioned the new emotions fuelling the intense sessions. Though ultimately Jacqueline had let nothing slip. It wasn't like she was normally the person to talk about her feelings!

How was she supposed to explain to someone that she had once again been hurt by a person she loves dearly?

How was she supposed to say that hearing second hand about Elena's angry rant from Tyler, Jenna and Jeremy had stung?

And even if some how she managed to explain it to them, what could they do about it anyway?

Jacqueline had a lot of questions rolling around in her mind. A lot of feelings of hurt, betrayal and anger as well. However she refused to let Elena's tantrum continue to mean anything. Jacqueline had never let someone's opinions effect her and she wasn't about to start now!

Not now.

Not ever.

Not even for Elena.

Elena may be her sister, and Jacqueline would likely always have some residual loyalty to Elena. That was as far as it went though. Elena would never be someone she trusts again, never again be a confidante or a friend. They're still family but they'll never be that close again.

Jacqueline is incapable of coming back from this.

It was her own personality fault, yes she admits to such, but it wasn't about to change anytime soon. Jacqueline was self aware enough to know she was a closed off and slightly empathetic person. She was also aware that those feelings were now directed at Elena.

And that bothered her a little.

Jacqueline didn't want to be indifferent to her little sisters feelings or thoughts.

... But then again, that's what Elena would prefer. Jacqueline knew it was also not something she was capable of preventing.

So she had focused on other things in her life.

Things that were finally starting to fall into place. Her magic had never been stronger - Jacqueline was actually somewhat of a protege amongst the Coven now. It hadn't taken long for someone to realised her potential surpassed what was average. Her knowledge in theory subjects had improved greatly too and so had her physical training.

There is always more to learn though.

And Jacqueline found she was perfectly fine with that.

Having control and use of her magic was like finally being able to see clearly. Jacqueline had never felt so comfortable in her own skin. She'd always been a self confident person. Never afraid of others ridicule or judgment. Jacqueline had too much of a thick skin to care about what others thought about the things she does. However, that year when she had felt the magic getting closer to the surface had been different. She'd felt like a huge part of her was missing and had no idea how to recover from that.

At least until she'd learnt to control and understand her magic. It had given her the drive and motivation that she needed to grow as a person.

It gives her purpose in life too.

And Jacqueline loved every second of it practicing magic!

Which is why Alexandria Fuentes had taken notice of her and offered training in modern witchcraft. Jacqueline had jumped at the chance, of course. Which was why she was currently heading to the training room to meet Alexandria. Pushing open the door she smiled widely at the woman.

"Hi! Thanks so much for offering to teach me some things!" Jacqueline said to the older Witch.

Alexandria smiled and chuckled as she nodded. "I admit, it's been a long time since I've come across a witch as excited by magic as you"

Jacqueline took that as the highest of compliments.

"I feel like I'm truly myself when I practice magic" Jacqueline admitted honestly. "Like before when it was locked away - I had been missing something I didn't even know to look for"

"It's a gift" Alexandria agreed softly

Jacqueline could only hum in agreement as she took a seat at the table full of preparations. This practice room was for actual spell casting. Usually it was either Wiccan or Sacrificial magic since those were the only two that actually needed more than intent to cast.

Curiosity, Jacqueline observed the older witch in front of her as she waited for the lesson for begin.

Alexandria was a tall woman, beautiful even after 70 years of life. Despite the Italian name, Alexandria didn't really possess any physical traits associated with the heritage. That, however, didn't minimise the woman's appeal though. While Alexandria was undoubtedly a beautifully woman it was the sheer confidence and poise that really caught people's attention. The woman stood tall and proud, never hunching or faltering, even when undoubtedly caught off guard.

There was an elegance about Alexandria that Jacqueline hoped she would one day possess too.

"Now..." Alexandria began, effectively drawing Jacqueline out of her own thoughts. "What have you learnt so far about sacrificial magic?"

Jacqueline blinked in surprise.

"Nothing more than theory, history and observations" Jacqueline answered easily.

Alexandria hummed, "Sacrificial magic is the last form that we teach an individual in the coven. It's not particularly the most dangerous form... but it's not for everyone"

Jacqueline nodded unsurprised by the information.

Of course she had already known that.

It was only natural that some would be more willing to use sacrificial magic than others. They each had their line in the sand of what they would not do and it was up to each of them to set it.

Not everyone was the same.

Of course, core views about not going homicidal and killing all living creatures and the such was pretty much required... but aside from that, it was up to the individual to use their magic as they pleased.

"I'm going to teach you some small spells" Alexandria announced

Jacqueline could only nod her head as she wondered how far she herself was willing to go. As harsh as it sounded - she was of the opinion that if it came down to saving someone she loved she would do anything.

...Including a sacrificial resurrection spell.

As selfish as it may be, she couldn't imagine choosing random peoples lives over her families. Jacqueline couldn't imagine letting Jeremy or Tyler or Jenna or Enzo or Giovanni or even Elena, die when there was something she could do about it!

If that made her a bad person than so be it!

Jacqueline was alright with being selfish and hated if it meant she was able to see her loved ones happy and healthy. Nobody's moral compus would ever be able to make her regret that type of decision. Not even if it caused the very pain she wants to avoid to another family...

"I can do this" Jacqueline looked to Alexandria in determination.

If there ever came a day she needed sacrificial magic then she wanted to be able to use it. There was no room for mistake when it comes to this type of magic - it isn't for any novice to attempt!

Alexandria smiled with a proud gleam in her eyes as she nodded in confirmation. As long as Jacqueline was willing to learn; Alexandria would teach.

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