"What is the emergency?" I ask when I enter the house. I see both of my brothers sitting on the same couch.
"Have you forgiven him?" August asks and I roll my eyes.
"You texted me that there was an emergency just to see if I had forgiven Niklaus?" I ask incredulously.
"Yes, Fletcher would like to form a murder party for what he said. But we agreed to hold off if you had forgiven him." August supplies.
"I think I have but you did interrupt me before we were able to discuss it." I respond and sit across from them.
"Have you died lately?" Fletcher asks and I shake my head no.
"I'm almost getting worried. Something about this doesn't feel right." I tell them quietly and lean back.
"It couldn't possibly be because Finn Mikaelson is approaching our door, could it?" August says as he springs from the couch.
"Why on earth is Finn Mikaelson even anywhere near our house?" Fletcher asks and follows August.
"Wasn't he supposed to be daggered?" I offer as I put my feet on the coffee table.
After a few very long minutes of slightly muffled conversation, my brothers re-enter the room.
"We've been invited to a party." Fletcher says dramatically.
"Oh it's been a few years since we attended a party hosted by the Mikaelsons." I remark.
"Is it black tie?" I ask and August nods.
"That's unfortunate. I really hate waltzing and they start every formal event with a waltz." I mutter as I stand.
"I have to buy a dress. I don't think I own any modern black tie dresses." I say and look to my brothers.
"Is it safe to assume that neither of you would like to join me?" I say as I grab my coat again.
"Unsupervised formal wear shopping. You'll show up with something either entirely flattering or entirely outrageous." Fletcher says with a gleam in his eyes.
"If they're throwing a party it must mean their mother is home. We all know she's terrified of me. Might as well look the part." I remark as I head out to my car for the second time today.
The red two piece dress that I chose makes quite the statement. For a lady raised when we covered almost every inch of skin we could, it's rather scandalous that so much of my skin is out in the open. The fit of the dress is close to my body but not tight. Still able to breathe and move.
"Is this dress to intimidate Esther or to catch Nicklaus's attention?" Fletcher asks.
"The old bitch probably isn't expecting someone to show up dressed as I am. She doesn't scare me." I respond with a dismissive wave of my hand.
"It's good to see that you're finally coming back to yourself. I thought you'd lost your spark forever." Fletcher says genuinely.
"Sometimes I just need to remember who it was that I am fighting for. And this time it very well might be myself." I respond
"Esther always has a way of being sneaky when trying to confront her problems. She doesn't face anything head on, she's probably the one trying to kill me. She knows that I am far more powerful than she could ever hope to be."
"I wouldn't become too cocky, it could be your downfall." August reminds me and I nod.
"If I fall, I fall. At least it will have meant something." I say and August looks at me appraisingly.
"You're not coming into your old self. You've become someone knew before our very eyes." He says proudly.
"Let's only hope that the person I'm becoming is a good one." I remark as we step into the night air. It almost causes me to shiver as we approach the Mikaelson house. I can't help but to roll my eyes when I notice the horse drawn carriage.
"And you thought you pulled out all of the stops, Fletcher." I say and nod in the direction of the horses. He rolls his eyes as well.
"Yes well the Mikaelsons have always been flashier than us Baxters." He says and I nod myself. When we enter, I find Damon and Elena looking rather comfortable together. It pains me to see that our scheme worked. He does deserve so much better than the likes of Elena Gilbert. Instead of instigating a fight between the two I turn my attention to the entire town milling about. The cacophony of multiple conversation nearly drives me insane until silence falls across the entire room.
"We'd like to thank everyone for coming." Elijah's voice rings out and I turn my attention towards the grand staircase that the family has gathered on. I scan them, not listening to Elijah and my eyes finally fall upon Esther. In an instant her demeanor changes from confidence to fear. I watch as Niklaus glance back at his mother and follows her gaze to me. It clicks almost instantly that his mother fears me and I just grin at Esther.
I get swept into the main ballroom with the rest of the crowd. For a second, I considering hiding to avoid the waltz. But before I can I feel a hand on my back. Without having to look I know it's Niklaus.
"I didn't realize my mother was capable of feeling fear." He says as we begin to dance.
"It's because the balance is no longer tipped in her favor. I don't think she anticipated seeing me here." I remark quietly.
"I've forgotten how truly terrifying you can be." Niklaus responds and I shrug.
"I only become terrifying when people I care about are in danger." I state as we continue dancing. "You and I both know that she's up to something. I'd be willing to wager quite a bit that she's the one who's been trying to kill me." I state and glance around the room.
The song slows to a stop and I scan the room for my brothers and my stomach nearly drops when I notice that they're both gone.