Hello loves!
I don't really have much to say right now, so I guess I'll just get on with the usual disclaimers.
I own nothing! Now let's get on with it!
~*•°•*~
"Vie dans des ancêtres, renforcer noblesse. Comme des ancêtres, de coeur noblesse. Décider on de ancêtres, garder noblesse."
Aria closed her eyes in concentration as she focused on the spell, tilting her head to the side and wincing as she botched the pronunciation slightly. Opening her eyes fractionally as she glanced around the room at Abigail and Monique, she closed her eyes again and continued the chant. Suddenly, Monique let out a loud scream as Aria's eyes snapped open in surprise, watching as the girl began gasping out another chant, her words sounding distant and shaky, as if they weren't even her own, "Sine la quatrieme puella leve, comme Genevieve ceciderit. Sine la quatrieme puella leve, comme Genevieve ceciderit." Her head snapped back down and she took in shaky breaths.
"Monique, are you okay? Monique, you sounded like you were possessed." Davina worried, running over to the witch and kneeling down on the floor beside her.
Monique looked at her incredulously, "I wasn't possessed." She scoffed, "I was channelling the ancestors. They say it's time to complete the Reaping. To do that, the fourth Harvest girl must be resurrected, which means… it's time for Genevieve to die."
~*•°•*~
Aria's eyes drifted around the Lycée curiously as she made an absent note of all the witches she recognised that were there. She hadn't actually known how much sway the Harvest Girls could have in the French Quarter Coven until that point. Monique was annoying, arrogant, painfully naïve and most of all practically a child yet she was allowed to call a meeting for the entire French Quarter Coven. Then again, she admitted, Monique was one of the only witches who had been able to communicate with the Ancestors since the Harvest Girls were resurrected. Zoning back into the conversation, she watched with a tilted head as Genevieve tried and failed to hide the burning look in her eyes as she stared at Monique.
"And who put you in charge?" She questioned.
Monique smirked haughtily, "I communed with the Ancestors." She smirked, "And they said it's time for you to sacrifice yourself."
Bloody Hell, Aria winced, The Ancestors were seriously insane. 'It's time for you to sacrifice yourself!' How had no one left the Coven sooner? They were being led by psychos!
"Of course. It will be an honour to fulfil my duty to our coven. But it's not quite my time yet."
"The Ancestors were very clear. We need for you to die so our community can have the full power of the Harvest."
Genevieve interrupted, her voice dangerously low, "Careful, Monique. Not so long ago, I was one of those ancestors. A spirit forced to watch as little by little, witches surrendered everything to vampires." Her eyes briefly flickered over to Aria before going back to Monique, "We may no longer live under Marcel's thumb, but I for one don't particularly enjoy answering to Elijah, either. Before I take my leave, I'd like to ensure that you have the power to control your own fate. The Mikaelsons' mother Esther was a powerful witch. Her spell book contains enchantments that we can use to our own ends. I can steal it for our coven and we'll never be held in subjugation again. You'll have your sacrifice. But, I have things to do before I die." She announced as the others filed out of the room, one by one.
Hovering by the entrance to the tomb nervously, Aria wringed her hands together as she waited for Genevieve and Klaus to finish whatever conversation they were having. The Hybrid had all but stomped into the tomb like a child just as the witches had finished filing out. A small, amused smile came to her face at the thought. Looking up when she heard footsteps, she made her way over to Genevieve.
"Aria." The witch said in surprise.
"Hi, Genevieve. I… wondered if I might be able to talk with you?" Aria asked, somewhat hesitantly.
Genevieve nodded as they began walking through the Cemetery, "It's not that I don't appreciate what your Coven has been doing for me. Really, I do. It's just…" She trailed off as she searched for the right words.
Genevieve however, finished for her, "You don't feel like this is your home. You don't feel welcome."
Aria nodded and Genevieve pursed her lips as they continued walking,
"You weren't born here, Aria. You were raised by vampires. I'm afraid that not all in this Coven will be accepting of you however, the witches you wanted you killed that fateful night you were created were wrong." She said as Aria's eyes widened slightly.
"I-I thought that-"
"That we all wanted to kill you? No. You were a gift from the Ancestors. Not meant to be turned away. However, the Elders of that time were blinded by fear. Fear that you would be far too powerful for them. I don't think you will ever be fully accepted, Aria, and I don't think you want to be. But, whether you believe it or not, this is and can be your home."
Aria stared up at the witch blankly before she smiled slightly, eyes still narrowed in confusion but deciding to wait until voicing said confusion, "Thank you, Genevieve."
Genevieve smiled at her, "Long ago, I was cheated out of life. And whilst Davina has gone up against us, you were never taught otherwise. So I refuse to let that same thing happen to you."
~*•°•*~
That night in the French Quarter, the Feast of Blessings parade began. The witches all marched down the street, and the Harvest girls, including Aria, were each hoisted above the crowd on thrones. She was in a living hell. Monique was dressed in floral earth tones, for the element of earth, Abigail in white for air, Davina in bright red-orange, for fire and Aria in blues and lavenders, for water. They all moved onto the main stage and Genevieve joined them all after a moment to greet the crowd,
"Now, in accordance with the Fête des Bénédictions, the witches of New Orleans bless you all!" Genevieve announced loudly as the crowd cheered and she stepped off stage.
Monique first stepped forward and, with a wave of her hand, an earthquake began to rumble the ground below them. She stepped back and Abigail stepped forward, holding her arms out to create a strong wind that flew around the crowd. She stepped back and Davina stepped forward, turning and raising her hand to the sign behind her which began to set off fireworks. The crowd all cheered and Davina stepped back. Aria stayed firmly seated in her chair and she could imagine the insufferably annoyed looks from Monique – who else could it be glaring into the back of her head? – but after catching a glance from Genevieve in the crowd below, she sighed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, lifting up her hand gently and waving it, droplets of water falling slowly from the sky and evaporating into smoke as they slammed against the ground.
There was another cheer from the crowd and Aria spared a side glance over to Davina, her eyes wide with boredom. Davina was trying to hide her smile as she looked over at her friend, her eyes were wide and Aria understood exactly what the teenager was trying to say.
Quit distracting me, Genevieve will have both our heads!
Well, she was right.
Unknown to Aria, under the darkness of the street and behind the crowds, Kol and Freya smiled, the night she was freed from Dahlia at the forefront of their minds.
"She's too good for you, brother." Freya teased.
Kol rolled his eyes but didn't take them off of Aria, "Well, I at least hope she has a good night." He sighed and tilted his head slightly, "Though it doesn't seem like she will."
Freya frowned in confusion, her expression all too innocent, "I believe you mean that you hope that she likes your gift, yes?"
Kol smirked, "I don't need to hope. I already know she will. Besides, I liked hers." He said, looking down to the rose in his hand with a, dare Freya think it, goofy smile.
Freya rolled her eyes.
~*•°•*~
"Davina. Aria." Elijah said as he came to a stop beside the duo at the entrance to where the Feast of Blessings party was being held,
"Elijah." Davina replied, her voice neutral.
"It's lovely to see you two. And under far better circumstances."
Aria gave him a tight smile but Davina gave him a full-on glare,
"Is it? My friend Tim is still dead, and your brother's still breathing." Davina spat.
Before anything could get nasty, Genevieve appeared behind them, "Davina, that's enough. Elijah has been a patron to us this evening. We will show him respect." She reprimanded before turning to Elijah, "Thank you for all of this."
"This isn't for you. You know as well as I that your people would never accept a truce unless we showed them some respect. So be it. Enjoy your party." Elijah said simply.
Genevieve walked away, trailing behind Aria and Davina as the teenagers walked into the building. Eyes searching the room curiously, Aria absentmindedly noted that all the exits apart from the main one they'd just entered from were sealed off and, with a small backward glance to Genevieve, realised that the witch was also noticing it. Eyebrows knitting together in curiosity, she frowned. Who had blocked the exits off? Shaking her head as she felt a small nudge from Genevieve, they both walked further into the room. Aria made a small noise of agreement as Davina quickly excused herself before letting out a long, drawn out sigh.
There was an immediate chuckle from behind her, "You know, I don't remember you hating these parties as much at the Abattoir." The voice remarked as Aria spun around and grinned.
"Thierry!"
She launched herself into his arms and he caught her, now laughing with her as he gave her a tight hug, "Careful kid." He said before she pulled back.
"I haven't seen you in so long." She murmured with a smile as he nodded.
"Too long. So…" His voice turned teasing as he looked her up and down, eyes narrowed in faux suspiciousness, "You a proper French Quarter witch yet?"
Aria scrunched up her nose in distaste and Thierry laughed again, "I take that as a no."
"Most of them haven't exactly been… welcoming." Aria said after a moment.
His face clouded over with concern but Aria quickly grabbed his arm before it could turn into anger, "Really though, it's fine. It's been fine. I mean, I've had Davina. And Genevieve's been… oddly reassuring." She said with a funny look over to Genevieve's direction where she was talking with Monique. Her gaze met Genevieve and she gestured to the stage where Davina and the other two Harvest girls were beginning to gather.
Aria sighed and turned to Thierry regretfully, "I have to get onto the stage… Unless you're here to kidnap me away?" She suggested with a hopeful glance to her uncle, "Please say you are."
Thierry shook his head regretfully, "Sorry. Truce means truce." Aria sighed and mock glared at him before walking up to the small stage and sitting on a throne-like chair.
Genevieve walked up to greet the guests, "Welcome. As is our time-honoured tradition, you are all welcome to deliver your offerings. It is our custom that no one should be turned away, no blessing be denied."
As Hayley walked up to the stage, she smiled and walked over to place her gift in front of Davina before frowning in confusion as she was told to place it by Monique by a nearby witch. Aria's eyes darted between Hayley and the others who placed their gifts in front of Monique and Abigail as a frown pulled at her mouth. She didn't care that they were ignoring her, heck, she'd rather they ignore her, but ignoring Davina? What was happening?
Davina's eyes met her own and Aria let out a low breath at the visible tears sitting in her eyes. She tilted her head over to the crowd in a silent question and Davina nodded rapidly, storming off of the stage and over to one corner of the room with Aria following her. Quickly glancing behind her, her eyes narrowed at Monique and, after muttering a quick hex under her breath, she smirked suddenly as Monique let out a yell of pain. The witch cradled her injured hand to her chest, and her eyes met Aria's before they narrowed darkly, widening in surprise as her own hex did nothing.
Aria turned back around and walked into the small corridor Davina had stopped in, "D?" She asked hesitantly.
Davina didn't respond. Aria sighed and looked around the room before grinning suddenly at the familiar vampire just entering the corridor. Waving him over and gesturing to Davina, Josh frowned in concern before forcing a smile onto his face and stopping in front of the witches.
"Hey guys." He gave them a lopsided smile.
Davina looked up and her expression visibly lifted as she smiled brightly, "Josh! What are you doing here?"
Josh scoffed, "What, are you kidding? No way I'd miss out on you guys' big day. Besides, music, wind, fire? The club kid in me is, like, in heaven." He chuckled before frowning, "You don't look like you're having much fun, though. Hey, come on. Let's get out of here." He said, attempting to lead them away before either of the Originals noticed them.
Poor timing, it seemed.
"Joshua. What a fortunate coincidence, finding you here. We have unfinished business." Klaus announced, his tone annoyingly joyful as Davina glared at him,
"You need to leave here. Right now."
"Now, to be fair, love, you're not quite as powerful as you once were, are you? You're in no position to give orders." He said before grabbing Josh by the scruff of his collar, "Come along, lad."
"Hey, can we talk about this?" Josh begged weakly as Klaus led him to the main staircase, Aria and Davina quickly following.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please! We are gathered here today to pay homage to our beloved witches." His tone lowered unhappily and Aria practically froze in shock at his words, "But two very special witches have been utterly ignored. That seems a little unfair to me." He announced, handing Davina and Aria a small box each.
"No." Davina said after a second, "I don't want your gift."
Klaus took a calming breath, "I understand why you would reject me, given our past. In truth, many of us here today have been wronged in the conflict which my brother's treaty ended. Your friend Josh was involved in a plot to kill me. It would be well within my right to execute him here and now. But, in the spirit of solidarity, and for your favours, Aria and Davina, I hereby pardon him. Josh from this day forward, you have nothing to fear from me." He turned back to the girls, "Please."
He handed them the boxes before leaving the trio and Josh, each relieved.
"So, are you guys gonna open them or…?" Josh trailed off after a second. Aria and Davina each exchanged looks and opened them both. In Davina's box, was a lapis lazuli ring whilst in Aria's was one old folded up piece of parchment, "What? What is it?"
Aria opened the parchment one and let out a sudden breath, "It's the spell that makes daylight rings."
As Josh and Davina smiled at each other in excitement, Aria was drawn away from the conversation as someone approached her, handing her a box with a blank expression before walking away again. Her eyes followed him and watched as he left the party before they widened in understanding. The blank eyes, the vacant expression… Compulsion. Now even more curious considering Thierry was already there and wouldn't need to compel someone to do anything when he could do it himself, she furrowed her eyebrows and looked down at the long, thin box as she lifted the lid in curiosity. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open instantly, mist gathering in her eyes.
There was a small note on top of whatever it was and there were only a few words but she'd recognise the writing anywhere.
For our favourite witch in town, don't get too carried away with it,
-KM&FM
She lifted the note and a sheet of cloth before her breath caught in her throat yet again, though for an entirely different reason. There, lying on what looked like velvet, was a necklace. It was a simple silver chain with a small, rectangular locket at the base with the letters A.R.G carved into the front in what looked like… diamond? Her eyes widened incredulously. They wouldn't… On second thought, Kol definitely would. Trying to open the locket curiously but finding herself unable to do so, she hummed under her breath in thought as her hand hovered over the locket part. Something was different about it, something was inside and it was… powerful. Almost suffocating, even. What was it? She tried prying it open again before frowning in frustration when it didn't open. After another moment, she smiled widely as she looked back at the note,
"Aria?" She was snapped out of her trance when she heard Josh call out to her. She looked up and saw both him and Davina looking at her curiously.
"What's in the box?"
Despite herself, she smiled, "A gift. From a friend. Hey Josh, could you help me put this on?" She asked as he nodded. She gently lifted the necklace out, only too aware of Davina's awe struck gasp and Josh's appraising look before she handed it over to him and turned around. Josh lifted it and clasped it around her neck before turning her back around.
"It's beautiful." Davina murmured.
Josh looked at the necklace with slightly narrowed eyes before he smirked, "So who is it?"
"What?"
"The guy." Josh said as if it were obvious.
Aria rolled her eyes, "He's just a friend. And it was from two people." She corrected.
Josh smirked, "Playing double, huh?"
Aria scowled and hit him on the shoulder with enough force to make him grunt despite being a vampire.
"That was more than a friend Aria, do you need to have your eyesight tested?" Davina asked incredulously, "No one that's 'just a friend' would give you something like that."
"Well too bad D, 'cause that's all there is to it." Aria said simply with a small smile. She turned to her right when she heard a group of drummers coming down the stairs and watched curiously, "I didn't know about them. Did either of you-Davina? Josh? Guys?"
Davina and Josh were gone.
She looked around the room in confusion, where had they gone?
She moved back from the staircase and back over to the stage before sitting down in her chair, bored now that her only two distractions had disappeared just as the drumming stopped, "Happy Fête des Bénédictions!" The led drummer announced, "We have a message for all of you… From Marcel Gerard." He said as Aria sat up and leant forward, dread filling her.
No, no, no. Not now, dad. Please not now.
No one seemed to hear her silent prayers because just as people started murmuring to each other, each drummer took out a razor and sliced the wrists open, blood dripping down and onto the floor. Aria looked around the room, the realisation of what Marcel had been planning all along sinking in.
All the vampires were going crazy at the sight of blood. That was why the exits had been sealed off! She could have hit herself for being so blind.
Elijah walked to stand in front of the drummers, "Control yourselves. This is a vulgar trick. We do not violate our agreement!" He yelled.
Aria's eyes flickered around the room wildly until they landed on Hayley and, with a few muttered choice words, a faint glow surrounded her. Their eyes then met and she nodded in thanks.
It was just a protection spell.
But it would protect her and the baby if things got nasty.
Before she could think again, the lights suddenly went out and everything dissolved into pure and utter chaos. She let out a scream as a vampire jumped onto her but just as the fangs were pushed into her neck, she felt herself being grabbed by a hand and, before she could blink, she found herself outside the party.
Her hand instantly went up to her neck, blood, though not a lot, was dripping down from where a vampire had jumped her. She looked up and saw Thierry, already biting into his wrist and holding it out for her. There was a small grimace on his face at the sight of her being hurt, "Please."
Reluctantly, she drank the blood and let out a small sound of annoyance at the sting of her wound being closed on her neck. Her hand went up to it and she let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding when she didn't feel anything. Well, other than blood of course.
She then turned back to Thierry and gave him a glare as he, clearly not meaning to, gulped in slight fear of the witch.
~*•°•*~
Later at Marcel's Loft across the river, Thierry was in front of Marcel recounting the night's events,
"Blood on the walls. Pile of bodies. All in all, I'd say message received." He recited.
"Did you get Aria and Davina out first?"
"As planned, Josh took care of Davina. I took care of Aria, though…" He hesitated slightly, "She was nicked by a vamp." He said, seeing Marcel's face darken slightly, "But, it's all taken care of. I made sure the other Harvest girls got out in the clear too."
"That was just the warning shot. Now we double down."
Before they could talk anymore, there was a loud yell that echoed across the room,
"Marcel!" Elijah yelled out, tackling Thierry and throwing him to the ground before going over to face Marcel and pushing him up against the wall, expression positively murderous.
"I warned you. And yet still, you return to the French Quarter!"
"You gonna kill me, Elijah? Go ahead. But then you won't know what Klaus has got going with that witch in his pocket."
"Oh, whatever shall I do? I suppose I could just ask him."
"Yeah. Make sure he tells you all about the secret meetings with the werewolves. That is, if he's still speaking to you once he knows that you killed me." Marcel taunted as Thierry picked himself up off of the ground,
"Do you not know me?" Elijah asked, hand shooting through Marcel's chest and grabbing his heart tightly, Thierry's following not long after, "For your violation. I should rip out Thierry's heart. It is only out of respect for your daughter, Aria, for respect that she saved Hayley tonight, that I do not." He growled, pulling his hand out of Thierry's chest and snapping the vampire's neck,
"You live or you die according to my will. Remember that or next time, someone will die." He practically growled before leaving Marcel alone.
Only minutes later, Thierry woke with a groan as he pushed himself up,
"Guess I should be glad that Aria was clever enough to keep an Original's favour in her pocket." He rasped out.
"Hm." Marcel murmured, noncommittedly.
"…Going up against the Originals? For real, no backing down?"
"No backing down."
"Then I got your back. We will take back that city, even if we have to burn it down first."
~*•°•*~
"You failed us." Monique said evenly as she stared at Genevieve in the Lafayette Cemetery.
"I told you. It will take time." Genevieve replied.
"Do you think the Ancestors care about your excuses? The vampires attacked us. We can't retaliate until we possess our full strength. Your sacrifice is the final step." She said, holding her hand out and watching as Genevieve began to gasp for air.
Before anything else could happen however, Monique let out a loud, choked gasp, "Nous concedumus sa vie a Genevieve. Si elle hecatage a filia de Mikaelson."
"What are they saying?" Genevieve asked after a second.
"They told me to let you live. But in exchange, they want another offering. One of their choosing."
Genevieve's eyes lit up, "Tell me. Whatever it is they want, I will make sure they get it. I swear it."
"The child. The Ancestors want us to kill Klaus' child."
~*•°•*~
As Always, SecretMidnightRose